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RI H7514

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/6/2026

Primary Sponsor

Grace Diaz

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires "covered suppliers" (those selling over $6 billion annually in grocery goods) to offer the same terms of sale to all retailers and wholesalers purchasing on the same volume unit basis

  • Defines "dominant covered retailers" as those with over $18 billion in annual retail sales and storefronts in more than 20 states, prohibiting them from coercing suppliers into offering preferential pricing

  • Mandates covered suppliers provide anonymized contract terms within 14 days upon request from retailers or wholesalers, covering deals with dominant retailers from the prior 180 days

  • Establishes enforcement through the Attorney General or injured parties, with civil penalties up to 1.5 times actual damages or the pricing differential suffered

  • Provides defenses for price differences based on genuine efficiencies like self-distribution, voluntary acceptance of different terms, or sales of perishable/seasonal/discontinued goods

Legislative Description

Creates a new chapter to protect Rhode Island consumers from coercive tactics at grocery stores.

Commercial Law

Last Action

Committee recommended measure be held for further study

3/3/2026

Committee Referrals

Corporations2/6/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available