What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "consumer" in motor vehicle law to include those purchasing vehicles for commercial or business purposes.
Why it matters
Extends key consumer protections. (such as "lemon law" rights and warranty enforcement) to businesses and commercial vehicle purchasers, not just individuals buying for personal use, which could significantly increase legal recourse for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Levels the playing field between business and individual vehicle buyers. by ensuring both groups have equal legal rights if they purchase defective vehicles, reducing risk and potential financial loss for businesses reliant on vehicles.
May impact costs and practices for auto dealers and manufacturers,. who will now need to consider commercial buyers under the same consumer protection rules, potentially leading to changes in contracts, warranties, and dispute resolution practices.
Could encourage broader economic activity. by giving businesses greater confidence when investing in vehicles, knowing they have statutory protections previously reserved for personal consumers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Broaden Consumer Definition Law
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
538
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the definition of a consumer
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 1 of subdivision (a) of section 198-a of the general business law, as amended by chapter 530 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
(1) "Consumer" means the purchaser, lessee or transferee, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor vehicle which is used primarily for personal, family or household purposes or commercial or business purposes and any other person entitled by the terms of the manufacturer's warranty to enforce the obligations of such warranty;
§ 2. Paragraph 1 of subdivision a of section 198-b of the general business law, as amended by chapter 530 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
1. "Consumer" means the purchaser, or lessee, other than for purposes of resale, of a used motor vehicle primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes or commercial or business purposes and subject to a warranty, and the spouse or child of the purchaser or the lessee if either such motor vehicle or the lease of such motor vehicle is transferred to the spouse or child during the duration of any warranty applicable to such motor vehicle, and any other person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty;
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03187-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.