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 change from current law that allows these fees to be excluded. Additionally, the bill requires that these fees be separately stated in advertisements and quotes to ensure transparency for potential buyers. It also prohibits dealers from pre-printing vehicle orders and invoices with optional fees, aiming to prevent misleading pricing practices.

The bill further stipulates that dealers must provide buyers with detailed documentation, including a signed order and an invoice that outlines the cash selling price and any applicable fees. It retains the requirement for dealers to inform buyers that the conveyance fee is negotiable and not payable to the state. Violations of these provisions could lead to fines of up to one thousand dollars, and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has the authority to suspend or revoke a dealer's license for non-compliance. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and the bill also includes technical and conforming changes to existing laws, reflecting a significant step towards enhancing consumer protection in vehicle transactions.

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