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Bill

Bill

S 3543

Requires grocery stores that offer digital coupons automatically apply such coupons for senior citizens

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Borrello and 2 co-sponsors

Requires grocery stores offering digital coupons to automatically apply those coupons for senior citizens at checkout.

REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
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Bill Summary · S 3543

Summary of Bill S 3543

Title: Requires grocery stores that offer digital coupons automatically apply such coupons for senior citizens

Status: Referenced to the Committee on Consumer Protection

Introduced: January 28, 2025

Sponsors:
- Primary: George Borrello
- Co-sponsors: Nathalia Fernandez, Peter Oberacker

Related Bills: S 8864 (prior session)

What the bill would do

  • The bill would require grocery stores that offer digital coupons to automatically apply those digital coupons for senior citizens at the point of sale.

Key provisions and details

  • Core requirement: Any grocery retailer that provides digital coupons must ensure that senior citizens automatically receive the benefit of those coupons during checkout.
  • The bill text provided does not specify:
    • An age threshold to define “senior citizens.”
    • The process by which a customer is identified as eligible (e.g., whether the store must verify age or rely on existing customer records).
    • How automatic application would work with multi-item promotions, stackable coupons, or loyalty programs.
    • Penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond the general reference to consumer protection.

Affected parties

  • Retailers: Grocery stores and supermarket chains that offer digital coupon programs would be required to adjust systems or processes to ensure automatic coupon application for eligible seniors.
  • Consumers: Senior citizens who participate in digital coupon programs would directly benefit from automatic application, simplifying access to discounts.
  • Consumer protection agencies: Potential enforcement and oversight under existing consumer protection authorities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status indicates the bill has been referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection.
  • As of the provided information, there are no listed subsequent actions (e.g., committee votes, amendments, or floor considerations).
  • The two identical “REFFERED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION” entries reflect the same action on the introduction date (January 28, 2025).

Legislative context and implications

  • The bill fits within consumer protection and fair pricing policy aims by reducing barriers to using digital coupons for seniors.
  • Potential administrative impact on retailers includes updating point-of-sale and loyalty-program workflows to support automatic application without requiring manual coupon entry by seniors.
  • The related prior-session bill S 8864 suggests ongoing legislative attention to digital coupon accessibility or consumer protections in this area.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison with similar existing laws or draft potential questions for a committee hearing based on this proposal.

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

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