Senate substitute for consumer-protection bill fails after debate on ‘unconscionable’ pricing

On third reading the Senate considered a substituted version of Senate Bill 207, a consumer-protection measure that would add protections for people receiving emergency or crisis services at their homes.

Sponsor rationale and example: Sponsor Senator Reby said the substitute clarifies what might be “unconscionable” pricing for crisis services and offered a concrete example: a family charged an exorbitant fee to remove materials after a suicide, a charge the sponsor said created an undue financial burden. The substitute was described as intended to protect consumers in crisis situations from predatory pricing.

Floor action and outcome: Senators agreed to uncircle and substitute the bill. After debate, a roll-call vote was taken. The presiding officer announced the first substitute to Senate Bill 207 failed and the measure was filed.

Vote-count note: The floor transcript’s numeric roll-call for the substitute contains an inconsistent numeric entry; the chamber announced the substitute failed and the clerk recorded the final disposition on the floor.

Next steps: Because the substitute failed, the substitute to SB207 will not proceed; the clerk indicated the bill was filed in accordance with the vote outcome.

Sources: Sponsor remarks and roll-call announcements during the third-reading calendar.