HB1751

House Bill 1751, the 'Arkansas Automotive Subscriptions Consumer Protection Act,' prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from charging consumers recurring subscription fees for vehicle features that rely on hardware already installed and paid for at the time of purchase. The bill specifically targets features that function without ongoing costs to the manufacturer, such as heated seats or remote start systems. It designates the charging of such fees as an unfair and deceptive trade practice. The bill grants enforcement authority to the Attorney General and local prosecuting attorneys. Additionally, it allows individual consumers to file civil lawsuits to recover actual losses or a penalty of $1,000 per violation, and it explicitly permits class action lawsuits for these violations. The legislation clarifies that subscription fees remain permissible for services that require ongoing maintenance or costs to the manufacturer, such as satellite radio or internet services.