Upset at the rise in fuel prices in Maryland since Hurricane Katrina, Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran is calling for a price gouging law in the state.

Curran told state lawmakers this past week he wants more power to go after businesses that try to profit from emergency situations.

He said he plans to review the existing price gouging laws in more than 20 states and pen legislation to submit to the Maryland General Assembly when it convenes in January.

Curran pointed out that officials in Florida and Tennessee have filed lawsuits alleging price gouging since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and are seeing lower pump prices as a result, The Associated Press reported.

Curran said he has also been told by attorneys general in other states that they believe the deterrent of a price gouging law helps to keep prices down.

Maryland lawmakers considered several similar bills this spring with none making it out of committee, but legislators said they think current fuel costs will give the effort more momentum.

“It’s a major problem,” Delegate James Malone, D-Arbutus, told the Catonsville Times. “We’re going to have to take a serious look at this and do whatever we can.”

In the meantime, lawmakers said they have few ideas for immediate relief for consumers.