Senate approves change excluding lottery and prepaid gift‑card sales from unit‑pricing threshold

The Massachusetts Senate on the floor approved a change to the state's unit‑pricing law, voting to exclude gross receipts from lottery tickets and prepaid gift cards when calculating the $5,000,000 in‑store sales threshold that determines whether a retail outlet must display unit pricing.

Senator Moore urged colleagues to support Senate Bill 2965, saying the bill preserves consumer protections while ensuring the threshold reflects “true retail sales, not pass‑through transactions.” He argued that including lottery and gift‑card receipts unfairly pushes small convenience stores past the exemption and imposes administrative burdens designed for larger supermarkets.

Supporters noted the exemption was enacted in chapter 267 of the Acts of 2004 and that inflation and inclusion of high‑value, low‑margin items such as gift cards and lottery tickets have effectively eroded the exemption’s original intent. The bill also codifies an existing regulatory exclusion for motor‑vehicle fuel sales.

The chamber adopted an amendment offered on the floor addressing prepaid gift cards before ordering the bill to third reading. The clerk then called the roll for final passage; the Senate recorded 37 votes in the affirmative and none opposed. The clerk announced the bill "passed to be engrossed." No additional conditions or amendments were recorded in the transcript.

What happens next: The bill was passed by the Senate to be engrossed; subsequent steps will include any House concurrence (if required) and enrollment for the governor’s consideration.

Votes and procedural notes: The bill was ordered to a third reading as amended and passed on a roll call. The clerk recorded the tally as 37‑0 in favor.