Z-372                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5374

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators Newhouse, Bottiger, Hayner and Rasmussen; by request of Attorney General

Read first time 1/27/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to violations of consumer protection laws; adding a new section to chapter 19.86 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 19.86 RCW to read as follows:

          A substantial violation of state or federal statutes or administrative rules or regulations that regulate trade or commerce and protect consumer welfare shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of RCW 19.86.020:  PROVIDED, That this section shall not be construed to extend to actions or transactions that are exempt from the application of chapter 19.86 RCW:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That this section shall not be construed to impair the effect of any existing or future statutory or judicial authority providing that a violation of a statute, rule, or regulation shall constitute a violation of chapter 19.86 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.