SB2323 • 2026

Grocery items; prohibit cost-plus pricing without public notice.

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FROM IMPOSING COST-PLUS PRICING FORMULAS WITHOUT PUBLICLY POSTING NOTICE OF THE COST-PLUS PRICING FORMULA; TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE CRIME; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF THE SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE AN UNLAWFUL TRADE PRACTICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Norwood
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Grocery Stores Must Post Cost-Plus Pricing Notices

This bill stops grocery stores from using cost-plus pricing without putting up clear signs about it and sets penalties for breaking the rule.

What This Bill Does

Forbids retail food places from adding extra costs to items sold without first telling people about it.
Requires these businesses to put up notices inside and outside their entrances if they use a cost-plus pricing formula.
Makes not following this law a crime with fines or jail time, or both.
Says that breaking the rule is also an unfair business practice.

Who It Names or Affects

Retail food stores in Mississippi
Customers buying groceries

Terms To Know

Cost-plus pricing formula: A way of setting prices where the seller adds a fixed amount to the cost price of an item.
Retail food establishment: Any place that sells food items directly to customers for personal use.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
It would have taken effect on July 1, 2026, but since it didn't pass, this date is no longer relevant.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division B

Official Summary Text

Grocery items; prohibit cost-plus pricing without public notice.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2323 *SS08/R389* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R389
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)

To: Judiciary, Division B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Norwood

SENATE BILL NO. 2323

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FROM IMPOSING 1
COST-PLUS PRICING FORMULAS WITHOUT PUBLICLY POSTING NOTICE OF THE 2
COST-PLUS PRICING FORMULA; TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE CRIME; TO 3
PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF THE SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE AN 4
UNLAWFUL TRADE PRACTICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. (1) A retail food establishment may not impose a 7
cost-plus pricing formula on grocery items without publicly 8
posting notice of the cost-plus pricing formula. Notice shall be 9
sufficient under this subsection if the amount of surcharge to be 10
added to grocery items is conspicuously displayed at the retail 11
food establishment: 12
(a) A sign on the front sidewalk within fifteen (15) 13
feet of each entrance; and 14
(b) On a sign inside each entrance. 15
(2) As used in this section: 16
(a) "Retail food establishment" means any establishment 17
as defined by Section 69-1-18(1)(b). 18
S. B. No. 2323 *SS08/R389* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R389
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)
ST: Grocery items; prohibit cost-plus pricing
without public notice.
(b) "Cost-plus pricing formula" means a formula in 19
which the seller marks items at the item cost and imposes a 20
surcharge in addition to the cost of the item. 21
SECTION 2. (1) Any person who violates this act shall be 22
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be 23
subject to a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars 24
($1,000.00) or shall be imprisoned in the county jail not 25
exceeding one (1) year, or both. 26
(2) Any violation of this act constitutes an unlawful trade 27
practice under Section 75-24-5 and, in addition to any remedies or 28
penalties set forth in this act, shall be subject to any remedies 29
or penalties available for a violation of that statute. 30
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 31
and after July 1, 2026. 32