APPLIANCE SERVICE DEALERS - S.B. 217 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS


Senate Bill 217 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Bill Bullard, Jr.

Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs


CONTENT


The bill would create the "Appliance Repair Act" to do the following:


-- Require a service dealer to provide a written estimate approved by the customer before performing any repair, service, or maintenance.

-- Prohibit a service dealer from charging more than 110% of the estimate without the customer's permission.

-- Require a service dealer to provide a warranty of at least 30 days on labor.

-- Allow a customer to bring an action for damages against a service dealer resulting from a false statement or failure to comply with the bill's disclosure requirements.


The bill would take effect June 1, 2002.


- Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata


FISCAL IMPACT


The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact. The number of potential violations under the provisions of the bill cannot be estimated. The Department of Attorney General reports that in FY 1999-2000, there were 19 complaints filed with its Consumer Protection Division regarding appliance repair.


Date Completed: 10-19-01 - Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman



floor\sb217 (S-1) - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.