Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateWisconsinIntroduced
SB 1171: Relating to: prohibiting retail dynamic price gouging of consumer goods and providing a penalty.
Kelda Roys
SB 1171 status: Introduced — Senator Keyeski added as a coauthor (updated Jun 1, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
66OUT OF 100
Score:66/100 civic fit
Risk:Low Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 60/100
Constitutionality85%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion80%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill prohibits retail stores from using 'surge pricing' for consumer goods, a practice where prices increase automatically based on demand.
Who is affected
Retailers, businesses using dynamic pricing algorithms, and consumers purchasing everyday household items.
Requirements and enforcement
Retailers must cease automatic demand-based pricing adjustments for specified goods.
Costs and funding
Potential fines for non-compliance and costs associated with modifying pricing software.
When it takes effect
Not stated in the available source.
Potential benefits
Protects consumers from sudden price spikes during periods of high demand and promotes market transparency.
Risks and tradeoffs
Potential for ambiguity in how 'surge pricing' is legally distinguished from standard price changes, and implementation costs for businesses.
What is still unknown
The specific list of 'everyday items' covered and the threshold for what constitutes a violation are not defined.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
70%
Benefits
- Protects consumers from sudden price spikes
- Provides predictable retail pricing
- Reduces financial strain during high demand
Risks
- Increases regulatory compliance costs for retailers
- Limits retailer pricing flexibility
- May complicate retail inventory management
Society
Positive outlook
75%
Benefits
- Protects vulnerable consumers from predatory pricing
- Promotes fairness in the retail marketplace
- Ensures essential goods remain affordable
Risks
- Potential for reduced service efficiency during peak hours
- Complexity in defining applicable consumer goods
- Possible litigation regarding price definitions
Technology Industry
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Standardizes market software expectations
- Prevents algorithm-driven consumer exploitation
- Encourages transparency in pricing systems
Risks
- Limits functionality of existing dynamic pricing software
- Imposes engineering requirements for compliance
- Increases regulatory uncertainty for retail-tech firms
Civic Accountability
Positive outlook
70%
Benefits
- Empowers state oversight of retail markets
- Establishes a clear penalty structure for violations
- Provides a framework for consumer complaint reporting
Risks
- Requires state administrative oversight capacity
- Potential for interpretive conflict in enforcement
- Risk of ambiguous definitions in legislation
Public Health & Safety
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Implementation could lead to administrative challenges in defining what constitutes a prohibited dynamic price change versus normal market fluctuation.
Analysis scope
Source material is limited to an abstract, not full bill text.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
✦ Personalized
Set your location
Add your district to see how this bill may affect your community and who to contact.
Your Representatives
Your representatives appear here once you add your location.
06
Take action
Contact your representatives
Let them know how you feel about this bill.
Share your view
Join the discussion and see what others are saying.
Track this bill
Stay updated on progress and changes.