On Thursday, Maryland took a pioneering step by becoming the first U.S. state to prohibit grocery stores from using electronic pricing tools to alter food item prices during the day. This decision aims to prevent potential price manipulation by retailers, which could unfairly impact consumers already facing financial pressures from increasing expenses.

Maryland House Speaker Del. Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s) announced the bill alongside Governor Wes Moore (D) and Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) in January. The legislation addresses growing concerns about the transparency and fairness of dynamic pricing systems in grocery stores.

Critics of electronic pricing argue that the ability to adjust prices multiple times in a single day can lead to consumers being charged unpredictable and possibly inflated rates. Proponents of the bill believe it will protect consumers from opportunistic pricing, especially as many face the squeeze of rising living costs.