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HF 2149

Consumer Grocery Pricing Fairness Act established, and civil penalties provided.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Esther Agbaje and 12 co-sponsors

The bill establishes a Minnesota framework to regulate grocery pricing as unfair or deceptive, requiring clear disclosures and unit pricing, with civil penalties and enforcement to

Author added Johnson, P.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2149

Summary of HF 2149 (2025-2026) – Minnesota: Consumer Grocery Pricing Fairness Act

Purpose and Intent

HF 2149 establishes the “Consumer Grocery Pricing Fairness Act” in Minnesota and provides for civil penalties to address alleged unfair or deceptive pricing practices in the sale of groceries. The bill aims to create clearer standards for pricing transparency and protect consumers from potentially misleading pricing tactics used by grocery retailers.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Authority and Scope

    • Establishes a statutory framework to regulate grocery pricing practices considered unfair or deceptive.
    • Applies to consumer grocery retail transactions within Minnesota.

  • Prohibited or Regulated Practices

    • The bill delineates specific pricing practices deemed unfair or deceptive. While the exact list of prohibitions is not provided in the summary, typical provisions in similar laws target actions such as bait-and-switch pricing, false price advertising, and misleading “comparison” price claims.
    • May include requirements related to display of unit prices, discounts, price reductions, and expiration dating for advertised specials.

  • Pricing Transparency Standards

    • Likely mandates clear and conspicuous disclosures of regular prices, sale prices, and the duration of promotional offers.
    • Could require consistent use of unit pricing (price per unit of measure) to enable fair comparisons.

  • Civil Penalties and Enforcement

    • Establishes civil penalties for violations, with specified amounts or ranges.
    • Potential enforcement mechanisms may include administrative penalties, consumer complaints processes, and potential involvement of state enforcement agencies or departments.
    • May include provisions for consumer restitution or injunctive relief to stop ongoing violations.

  • Liability and Remedies

    • Defines who is liable (e.g., retailer, advertiser, or corporate entities) for pricing violations.
    • Specifies remedies available to consumers, such as refunds, monetary penalties, or other corrective actions.

Who or What is Affected

  • Retail Grocery Businesses

    • Grocery stores and supermarkets operating in Minnesota would be subject to the pricing rules and penalties if they engage in regulated practices.
    • Applies to both physical storefronts and potentially online grocery retailers, depending on the bill’s scope.

  • Consumers

    • Shoppers in Minnesota would gain enhanced protections against deceptive pricing practices.
    • Consumers may have access to remedies for mispriced or misleading promotions.

  • Regulatory and Enforcement Bodies

    • State agencies responsible for consumer protection would administer and enforce the act, investigate complaints, and levy penalties where appropriate.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status and Path

    • Introduced and assigned to the Commerce and Finance Policy committee on March 10, 2025.
    • Multiple authors and a broad set of co-sponsors added between 2025 and 2026, indicating cross-party interest and support.

  • Next Steps

    • If advanced by the committee, the bill would proceed to floor action for debate, potential amendments, and votes in the Minnesota Legislature.
    • Any final passage would be followed by reconciliation with the Senate version (if applicable) and, ultimately, signature by the governor to become law.

Notable Context

  • The bill’s focus on pricing fairness aligns with consumer protection trends aimed at preventing deceptive or misleading advertising in essential goods markets.
  • The exact penalty amounts, precise list of prohibited practices, and enforcement procedures would be detailed in the bill’s full text and any introduced amendments.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the bill’s full text to extract precise provisions, penalties, and timelines for a more granular summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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