Viral 1997 H-E-B receipt reveals shocking price increases
Zoe Dippel decided to compare today’s grocery prices to those of the 1990’s after finding an H-E-B receipt from 1997 with 122 items, totaling $155.
Some states aren’t joking around about “15 items or less.”
In an effort to curb shoplifting, legislators in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington are discussing stricter regulations on self-checkout systems in grocery and convenience stores.
Specifically, these states are looking to enact legislation that would require a balance between employee-manned and self-checkout stations, a certain number of employees per self-checkout and/or stricter limits on the number and types of items customers can bring through self-checkout. The goal? Cut back on the number of sticky fingers.
Self-checkout systems have been a popular topic of discussion in recent years, with some retailers phasing out all employee-operated checkouts and others, like Walmart, removing many of their self-checkouts to return to the basics.
A 2026 Capital One Shopping Research study found that while 86% of consumers use self-checkout stations, theft increases up to 65% at self-checkouts compared to those manned by employees. More than 36 million Americans have reported stealing from self-checkout kiosks, the study found.
As self-checkouts continue to be part of the shopping dialogue, here’s a look at the legislation on the table across the country.
What states have passed self-checkout legislation?
As of April 22, no states have passed self-checkout-related legislation.
What self-checkout legislation are states trying to pass?
Here’s a closer look at the legislation states and municipalities are looking to – and have – passed regarding self-checkouts:
California
In February, California Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas introduced SB 442, which would, if passed, require retailers with self-checkouts to have at least one manual checkout station staffed by an employee who is available at any given time to help a customer at a self-checkout station. The bill would also have established a policy limiting self-checkouts to purchases of no more than 15 items. SB 442 was last amended on April 21 but Smallwood-Cuevas is no longer moving it forward, her office told USA TODAY on April 22.
Though regulations may not be mandated at the state level, some California municipalities have passed their own self-checkout ordinances.
Long Beach and Costa Mesa have both approved similar ordinances to SB 442’s proposal, requiring retailers to have at least one manual checkout station staffed by an employee available to assist other customers. Long Beach passed its ordinance in August 2025, and Costa Mesa in February.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, three representatives introduced SB 438, which, if passed, would require grocery stores with self-checkout stations to have one employee-manned checkout station for every two self-checkouts. The bill would also prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkouts at one time.
The bill was referred to a Senate committee on April 15. USA TODAY reached out to the bill’s co-sponsors for more information.
Massachusetts
Similar to Connecticut’s proposed bill, Massachusetts Sen. Paul R. Feeney introduced S.237 in early 2025. If passed, the bill would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkout stations at once. Stores would also be required to have one manual checkout station operated by an employee for every two self-checkout stations.
The bill was last reported to a Senate committee in December 2025, according to the MA Legislature website. USA TODAY reached out to Feeney for more information.
New York
While the state of New York hasn’t passed legislation regarding self-checkouts, the New York City Council is discussing the matter.
Earlier this year, New York City council member Amanda Farías introduced an amendment to the city code that would require pharmacies and food retailers to impose a 15-item maximum on self-checkout stations. The code would also require stores to have one employee for every three self-checkouts.
The amendment was last discussed in March. USA TODAY reached out to Farías for more information.
Ohio
On April 1, Ohio Sen. Thomas F. Patton introduced SB 415, which would, if passed, require grocery stores with self-checkouts to operate at least one staff-manned checkout, assign one employee per three self-checkout stations and limit self-checkout purchases to 15 items.
SB 415 would also prohibit the sale of alcohol, tobacco and items with theft-deterrent devices affixed to them at self-checkout stations.
The bill was referred to a Senate committee on April 15. USA TODAY reached out to Patton’s office for more information.
Rhode Island
In January, Rhode Island Rep. Megan Cotter introduced H7290, which, if passed, would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkouts at once and require the same stores to operate one manual checkout station per two self-checkouts, according to the proposal. The bill would also require one employee to be assigned to every two self-checkout stations for monitoring.
Washington
In Washington, HB 1739 was first introduced in 2025 and then again this year. If passed, the bill would require retailers to institute a policy that self-checkout stations are intended for 15 items or less. Retailers would also be required to have one employee-manned checkout for each self-checkout and no more than two self-checkout stations monitored by one employee at a time.
The bill was last introduced in the House in January, according to the Washington State Legislature website. USA TODAY reached out to the bill’s sponsors for more information.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
