What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "consumer" in motor vehicle laws to include those purchasing for commercial or business purposes.
Why it matters
Extends consumer protections (like lemon laws) to small businesses and commercial purchasers. , not just individuals buying for personal use—meaning businesses can now access legal recourse if they buy defective vehicles.
Levels the playing field for small businesses. that often lack the legal resources of large corporations, making it easier for them to address issues with faulty motor vehicles under manufacturer warranties.
Increases potential liability for auto dealers and manufacturers. , since a broader range of buyers (including business entities) can now enforce warranty obligations and seek remedies under the law.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Consumer Protections Scope
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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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
3686
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2019
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.
LBD00481-01-9
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.