If you got a gift card for the holidays, check the back. Some gift cards expire after a year, or depreciate month by month if not used.

"If you wait too long, the card becomes an incredible disappearing act," said Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle. ``If you leave it sitting in your jacket too long, it might not be any good when you go to use it."

As a state lawmaker, though, Jacobsen can do more than just complain. He's sponsoring Senate Bill 6482, which would make it illegal for retailers to sell a gift card with an expiration date, service fee or inactivity charge.

After all, Jacobsen points out, there's a built-in penalty for people who don't get around to using the cards. It's called "inflation."

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