In one paragraph
Washington's HB 2481, the fair pricing and transparency act (2026 session), would have barred non-small businesses selling grocery products from surveillance-based price discrimination (prices set from monitoring or automated analysis of a consumer's personal data) and from surge pricing based on real-time or predicted demand; 'algorithm' is defined to include AI. It would also have barred electronic shelf labels in stores of 15,000 square feet or more until January 1, 2030; violations would be Consumer Protection Act violations. It was heard in House Appropriations on February 5, 2026 and died at adjournment.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have barred grocery retailers other than small businesses from personalized surveillance pricing and surge pricing, and from electronic shelf labels in stores of 15,000 square feet or more.
Key provisions
- Prices must be clearly posted in retail locations; surveillance-based price discrimination is prohibited (Sec. 3)
- Surge pricing prohibited regardless of how often or how long a price changes (Sec. 3)
- 'Goods' means retail products sold in a grocery establishment (RCW 49.85.015); 'algorithm' includes AI systems and facial recognition software; surveillance-based price discrimination covers prices set from monitoring, tracking or automated analysis of personal data rather than cost (Sec. 2)
- Exempt: uniform discounts open to all who meet disclosed criteria, and loyalty programs that do not use personal information to personalize prices; small businesses under RCW 19.85.020 are not covered (Secs. 2-3)
- Electronic shelf label systems barred in retail locations of 15,000 square feet or more until January 1, 2030; section expires June 30, 2031 (Sec. 4)
- Violations are unfair or deceptive acts under the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW; no separate penalty amounts (Sec. 5)
- Department of Commerce to study electronic shelf labels and report by June 30, 2029 (Sec. 8)
- Executive action January 28 (majority do pass); no action at the February 7 House Appropriations session; died at adjournment. No effective date stated in the text
Latest legislative action
Feb 7, 2026. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
Sponsors (showing 5 of 31)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Fosse | Primary |
| Graves | Primary |
| Thai | Primary |
| Volz | Primary |
| Bergquist | Cosponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error