Senate
File
2048
-
Introduced
SENATE
FILE
2048
BY
CHELGREN
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
requiring
motor
vehicle
repair
suppliers
to
obtain
1
written
authorization
prior
to
imposing
charges
related
to
2
estimate
costs,
and
making
penalties
applicable.
3
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
4
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Section
1.
Section
537B.3,
Code
2018,
is
amended
by
adding
1
the
following
new
subsection:
2
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
4.
If
a
consumer
requests
a
written
or
3
oral
estimate
of
repairs
or
service,
the
supplier
shall
obtain
4
written
authorization
from
the
consumer
for
the
imposition
of
5
any
charge
related
to
the
cost
of
conducting
the
estimate.
6
Such
written
authorization
shall
be
obtained
prior
to
the
7
commencement
of
the
estimate
and
the
imposition
of
any
8
such
charge
and
shall
be
retained
by
the
supplier
until
the
9
completion
and
final
billing
for
any
repairs
or
service.
10
EXPLANATION
11
The
inclusion
of
this
explanation
does
not
constitute
agreement
with
12
the
explanation’s
substance
by
the
members
of
the
general
assembly.
13
Current
law
allows
a
consumer
contracting
for
motor
14
vehicle
repairs
to
request
a
written
or
oral
estimate
of
the
15
anticipated
cost
of
repairs
or
service
from
a
supplier
of
motor
16
vehicle
repairs
or
service.
This
bill
requires
a
supplier
17
to
obtain
written
authorization
from
a
consumer
requesting
18
an
estimate
to
impose
any
charge
related
to
the
cost
of
19
conducting
the
estimate.
The
supplier
shall
obtain
the
written
20
authorization
prior
to
the
commencement
of
the
estimate
and
21
the
imposition
of
the
charge
and
shall
be
retained
by
the
22
supplier
until
the
completion
and
final
billing
of
any
repairs
23
or
service.
24
A
supplier
who
violates
the
bill
commits
a
deceptive
act
25
or
practice
pursuant
to
Code
section
537B.6(1).
A
deceptive
26
act
or
practice
constitutes
an
unlawful
practice
under
Code
27
section
714.16,
which
relates
to
consumer
frauds.
Pursuant
28
to
Code
section
714.16,
the
attorney
general
may
investigate,
29
issue
subpoenas,
and
commence
civil
proceedings
seeking
30
restraining
orders
or
injunctions
prohibiting
persons
from
31
engaging
in
unlawful
practices
or
seeking
termination
of
the
32
business
affairs
of
a
person
engaging
in
unlawful
practices.
33
In
addition,
a
civil
penalty
of
up
to
$40,000
per
violation
may
34
be
imposed
by
a
court
against
a
person
found
to
have
committed
35
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an
unlawful
practice.
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