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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 26, 2015 02:44 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Dan Moul |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Additional Consumer Protections Legislation Prior HB1081 |
| In the near future, I intend to re-introduce legislation amending the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to declare additional actions as unlawful unfair trade practices. My legislation would prohibit businesses from failing to include all costs associated with a product in promotional materials. This legislation was previously introduced as HB 1081(2013-2014.) Some businesses engage in deceptive advertising by using promotional prices that do not include all costs associated with goods or services. Once consumers purchase the goods or services, they discover that there are additional costs associated with the goods or service. My bill would require advertisers to put the total cost of the goods or services including related taxes and fees, in the same type font and size as the promotional price, as well as mention the regular (non-promotional) price of the good or service. My bill would also require any charges billed to a customer associated with a good or service to be explicitly and clearly provided in writing at least sixty days prior to the billing, so that consumers are given proper notice of costs such as surcharges. Finally, it would require contracted services to explicitly and clearly specify all costs associated with the service on the front page of the contract. In this time when people are struggling to balance their personal budget and feel compelled to cut costs, it is essential for them to know all charges associated with the goods and services they purchase. This bill would make it easier for constituents to acquire that knowledge. |