Now known as the “Shopping Reform and Modernization Act,” House Bill 4158 became Public Act 15 of 2011 Tuesday when Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed the legislation. Flanked by the bill’s sponsor, Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto), Lt. Governor Brian Calley , Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake ), and leaders from the grocery and retail industries, Governor Snyder reflected on his personal history stocking shelves in the early 1970’s as he repealed the decades-old law.
The measure, which takes effect September 1, 2011, will require appropriate signage, electronic scanners, or other means to “clearly and reasonably convey the current price of the consumer item.” Retailers also remain required to reimburse customers for an overcharge, plus pay up to 10 times the difference for a limit of $5 per incident.
A $100,000 appropriation was included in the legislation to educate the public regarding the upcoming changes that proponents claim will save retailers and, ultimately, consumers, billions of dollars.