Senate Bill No. 774 amends existing laws governing car dealers in Connecticut by introducing new requirements for pricing and advertising practices. The bill mandates that any dealer conveyance fee or processing fee must be included in the advertised price of a motor vehicle, a significant change from current law that allows these fees to be excluded. Additionally, dealers are required to separately state the amount of these fees in their advertisements and are prohibited from pre-printing vehicle orders and invoices with optional fees before discussing them with prospective buyers. This aims to enhance transparency and protect consumers from unexpected charges.

The bill also updates the documentation requirements for vehicle sales, ensuring that the order and invoice include detailed information such as the cash selling price, any dealer conveyance or processing fees, and a clear statement regarding the negotiability of these fees. Violations of these provisions could lead to fines of up to one thousand dollars, and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is granted the authority to suspend or revoke the licenses of non-compliant dealers. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and includes technical and conforming changes to existing laws, aligning with another bill, sSB 1357, which mandates clear disclosure of all fees associated with vehicle transactions.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 14-62a
TRA Joint Favorable: 14-62a
File No. 370: 14-62a