FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 5978

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 374 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Establishing certain consumer rebate requirements.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Kohl-Welles).

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background: Consumer rebates are a type of sales promotion used by marketers, primarily as incentives for product sales. Mail-in rebates are a common type of rebate which requires the consumer to submit information such as a coupon or receipt in order to receive a check for a particular amount, depending on factors such as the particular product, time, and place of purchase.

Summary: Any person who offers a consumer rebate is to allow a minimum of fourteen days from the date the consumer purchases the product, or becomes eligible for the rebate upon satisfying the terms and conditions of the offer, for the submission of a request for redemption by the customer.

The person offering the rebate has 90 days to send the consumer rebate and if the rebate is sent as a check, the check is to be mailed in a way that identifies the piece of mail as the anticipated rebate.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

45

0

House

98

0

(House amended)

Senate

48

0

(Senate concurred)

Effective:

July 26, 2009