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Committee backs bill allowing electronic notice for gym automatic renewals
Summary
The committee unanimously passed House Bill 4635, which would let physical fitness facilities notify customers electronically (including email and text) about automatic contract renewals and certain price changes; industry witness said it would modernize consumer notice and reduce costs.
The Municipal and Public Affairs Committee unanimously advanced House Bill 4635 after hearing testimony from the fitness industry in support of the measure.
Charles Rignante, representing the Health and Fitness Association, told the committee his group "represents more than 770 health and fitness facilities serving approximately 1,200,000 members across South Carolina" and said HB4635 would modernize a 2008 law that currently requires mail-only notice of automatic contract renewals. "Electronic notifications are more reliable and timely," he said, arguing that email and text messages reduce missed notices and could save the industry money.
Members asked questions about the bill's language and whether "electronic" includes text messages. Miss Edgerton raised the concern that emails can go to spam and asked whether texting should be explicitly allowed; the chair said the committee was treating "electronically" to include both email and texting for the purposes of the hearing, though he acknowledged the bill text itself did not define the term. Another member suggested giving customers the option to receive both electronic and written notice to maximize awareness; witnesses and the chair said the bill allows customers to select their preferred method at contract signing.
The committee moved the bill and the clerk recorded unanimous 'Aye' votes from members present. No amendments were adopted during the hearing.
