Senate Bill No. 774 amends existing laws in Connecticut concerning the pricing practices of car dealers to enhance consumer protection and transparency. The bill requires that any dealer conveyance fee or processing fee be included in the advertised price of a motor vehicle, reversing the current practice that allows these fees to be excluded. Additionally, it mandates that these fees be separately stated in advertisements and quotes. The bill also prohibits dealers from pre-printing vehicle orders and invoices with optional fees, such as VIN etching, unless these have been specifically ordered by the buyer and clearly itemized.

The bill introduces new legal language to Sections 14-62a and 14-62 of the general statutes, including definitions and requirements related to dealer fees, and establishes penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines of up to one thousand dollars and potential suspension or revocation of a dealer's license. These changes are designed to ensure that all costs associated with vehicle purchases are clearly communicated to consumers. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and has received favorable support from the Transportation Committee, with a vote of 25 in favor and 10 against.

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