The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates
a different meaning:
Overcharging
means charging prices for goods, materials, services, or housing which are substantially
in excess of the customary charges or in applicable cases substantially in excess
of the supplier's or provider's costs for such goods, materials, services or housing.
The existence of overcharging shall be presumed from a substantial increase in the
price at which the goods, materials, services, or housing was offered in the usual
course of business immediately prior to the onset of the emergency, but shall not
include increases in costs to the supplier directly attributable to higher costs of
materials, supplies, and labor costs resulting from the emergency.
State of emergency
means, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38-3-3(5), a condition declared by the governor when,
in his judgment, the threat or actual occurrence of a disaster or emergency is of
sufficient severity and magnitude as to warrant extraordinary efforts in preventing
or alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering threatened or caused thereby.
Subsequent recovery period
means that period during which the disaster continues to cause disruptions in the
disaster area, but shall not exceed six months after the emergency declaration has
been terminated by the governor unless extended by official action of the governing
authority of the county.
