SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5597

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Labor, February 18, 2013

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Holmquist Newbry, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Conway, Ranking Member; Hewitt.

Background: The Consumer Protection Act (ACT) prohibits unfair or deceptive practices in commerce. The Act may be enforced by private legal action or through a civil action by the Attorney General. False advertising and false representation may constitute unfair and deceptive practices.

Summary of Bill: Locksmiths cannot misrepresent their geographic location by listing a local telephone number in a local telephone directory if, without conspicuous disclosure, calls to the number are routinely forwarded to a location outside the calling area covered by the directory.

Locksmiths cannot list a business name in a local telephone directory if the name misrepresents the geographic location of the business and the listing fails to disclose the locality and state of the business.

The legislation may be enforced through the Act.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill allows consumers to have knowledge about locksmiths to make an informed decision about whether they wish to do business locally or not. Unscrupulous out-of-state operators receive calls from consumers and quote absurdly low rates and forward the calls to a person usually located in a larger metro area who pay a commission to the out-of-state operators. The actual price for services is always higher than what was quoted. The operators are misrepresenting that they are a legitimate local businesses. This is similar to what the florists did in 1999.