Sponsors (97)
The bill strengthens consumer protections against surveillance-based and excessive food pricing and preserves state-level safeguards, but it imposes compliance costs, legal uncertainty, and could reduce some personalized savings and the adoption of certain retail technologies.
Low- and middle-income shoppers (and other consumers) are protected from 'grossly excessive' food prices, which could lower or limit extreme price spikes at retail food stores.
All shoppers are protected from surveillance-based, individualized price discrimination because the Act defines 'surveillance-based price setting' and restricts using personal data to set individualized prices.
Consumers must receive clear written notice and give explicit consent for biometric identity checks and are informed when facial recognition is used, increasing control over sensitive biometric and surveillance practices in stores.
Retailers (especially small and multi‑site operators) will face increased compliance costs (pricing system changes, labels/signage, legal/process changes) that are likely to be passed on to consumers through higher prices.
Ambiguous standards, broad definitions of covered data, and a lengthy FTC rulemaking/enforcement process create legal uncertainty for businesses about what is allowed and may lead to more litigation and uneven compliance.
Some consumers—particularly low-income shoppers and students—may lose access to personalized deals or targeted coupons that previously lowered their out‑of‑pocket costs if firms stop offering targeted pricing to avoid regulatory risk.
Based on analysis of 9 sections of legislative text.
Bans grossly excessive grocery prices and surveillance-based personalized pricing, restricts electronic shelf labels in large stores, requires FTC rules, creates enforcement and private rights, and provides $5M.
Official title: To prohibit retail food stores from price gouging and engaging in surveillance-based price setting practices, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 12, 2025 by Rashida Tlaib · Last progress August 12, 2025
Prohibits retail food stores from charging "grossly excessive" prices for grocery items and bars surveillance-based personalized pricing. It requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules defining key terms, limits use of facial recognition and electronic shelf labels in large stores, creates civil and state enforcement tools and a private right of action, and authorizes $5 million for implementation. The law defines broad terms (personal information, biometric data, surveillance-based price setting), sets safe-harbor exceptions for cost-based price increases and certain disclosed discount programs, and preserves state laws that provide greater consumer protection.