Hamilton City Council unanimously approved a ban on price gouging during their meeting Wednesday night. Under the ordinance, the rule becomes part of the city's business regulation code, and would make it a criminal offense for businesses to overcharge for items during a declared state of emergency. Price gouging would be considered a first degree misdemeanor under the ordinance. It would be enforced by the police department or health commissioner. City council members discussed using the MyHamilton 311 portal for citizens to report possible infractions. Mayor Pat Moeller says "price gouging is one of those things when you see it, you know it."