SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5710

As of February 20, 2003

Title: An act relating to supermarket club cards.

Brief Description: Regulating supermarket club cards.

Sponsors: Senators Prentice, Fairley, T. Sheldon and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/21/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: Supermarket grocery stores and other retailers offer discount prices when consumers present the retailer's "club card" at the time of purchase.

Summary of Bill: A "supermarket club card" is defined as any device, including coupon books, or plastic cards with bar codes or magnetic stripes, that retailers use to allow discount prices to consumers presenting the device.

Retailers are required to issue such cards or devices to consumers on request and without requiring the consumer to provide personally identifying information.

Except as otherwise required by law, no personally identifiable information maintained in connection with a "club card," including data about products or services purchased, may be used in any legal proceeding or employment action without the cardholder's consent. The cardholder must be informed of this restriction and given an opportunity to review relevant records before deciding whether to grant or withhold such consent.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.