Bill > HR1788

This bill introduces the Fair Grocery Pricing Act, which aims to prevent food producers from using algorithmic systems to manipulate food prices or supply. The bill defines key terms such as "coordinator" (a person or service that collects and analyzes food pricing data) and "consciously parallel pricing coordination" (a tacit agreement between producers to manipulate prices). The legislation makes it unlawful for food producers to contract with or use coordinators that facilitate anti-competitive practices, effectively treating such actions as a violation of antitrust laws. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Attorney General, and state attorneys general are empowered to enforce the act, with provisions for civil actions by injured parties who can recover treble damages and litigation costs. The bill allows individuals who believe they have been harmed by such practices to sue in federal court and invalidates any pre-existing arbitration agreements that might prevent such legal action. Importantly, the bill does not supersede existing antitrust laws and does not preempt state or local regulations, ensuring that additional consumer protections can be maintained at different levels of government.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1788/all-info