WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 5209

An Act requiring the disclosure of consumer information related to tariffs

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mindy Domb

Requires disclosing tariff costs on new cars and in retail prices to increase transparency for consumers.

Referred to the committee on House Rules
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 5209

Summary: An Act requiring the disclosure of consumer information related to tariffs (HD 5209)

Overview

  • Bill Number: HD 5209
  • Title: An Act requiring the disclosure of consumer information related to tariffs
  • Status: Referred to the committee on House Rules
  • Introduced: October 14, 2025
  • Emergency status: Claimed to be an emergency law for immediate effect
  • Primary sponsor: Representative Mindy Domb (Amherst)

This bill introduces tariff transparency in two distinct areas: (1) motor vehicle tariff labeling for new cars, and (2) general tariff disclosures in retail pricing for consumer goods.

What the bill would do

1) Tariff labeling for new motor vehicles (Chapter 90, proposed Section 64)

  • Definitions:
    • Monroney label: the standard price-and-performance disclosure label on new cars.
    • Tariff: federal duties or import taxes collected by U.S. Customs and related authorities, including duties under various federal statutes and executive actions.
    • Tariff cost estimate: a good-faith estimate of how much tariffs increase the vehicle’s price, attributable to tariffs on inputs or the vehicle itself.
  • Manufacturer obligations:
    • A manufacturer shipping a new motor vehicle to a Commonwealth dealer must affix a “tariff cost estimate” label on the vehicle. This can be on the Monroney label, an adjacent window label, or on the manufacturer’s public-facing website (to the maximum extent permitted by federal law).
    • Dealers may not remove or obscure the tariff cost estimate label before sale.
    • A good-faith estimate may rely on supplier/importer documentation; estimates prepared per regulations would not by themselves be an unfair or deceptive act under consumer protection law.
  • Enforcement and compliance:
    • The Attorney General enforces these provisions; violations can trigger injunctive relief, civil penalties up to $1,000 per vehicle, and other legal remedies. Each vehicle offered or sold without the required disclosure counts as a separate violation.
    • Regulations to be promulgated by AG (in consultation with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles) to standardize calculation methods, label format/placement, and recordkeeping.
  • Federal preemption:
    • Provisions are to the maximum extent permitted by federal law and not to require content on a federally mandated label that is preempted.

2) Tariff transparency in retail pricing (Chapter 93M)

  • Definitions:
    • Consumer, Retail establishment, Retail price, Tariff, Tariff portion.
  • Retail price disclosures:
    • Retailers must disclose the tariff portion of a product’s price as a dollar amount or percentage.
    • Required display locations:
    • On in-store shelf tags/price displays.
    • On online product pages (reasonably near the price).
    • On printed or electronic receipts (as a distinct line item).
    • Online disclosures may use a hyperlink labeled “Tariff cost” that opens a notice explaining the tariff portion.
    • If the tariff portion is less than 2% of the retail price or less than $0.50, retailers may designate it as “Tariff portion: de minimis.”
  • Documentation and information-sharing:
    • Retail establishments must maintain documentation to substantiate the tariff portion (e.g., supplier invoices, tariff schedules, importer certifications).
    • Wholesale firms and importers must provide tariff information to retailers upon request.
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • The Attorney General may require records to verify compliance.
    • Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 93A) with injunctive relief and civil penalties as available remedies.

Who/what is affected

  • Manufacturers shipping new motor vehicles to Massachusetts dealers.
  • Automobile dealers selling new vehicles in Massachusetts.
  • Retail establishments selling goods or services to Massachusetts consumers (including online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores).
  • Wholesale firms and importers that supply retailers in Massachusetts.
  • Consumers purchasing new vehicles or other goods with tariff components in the Commonwealth.

Key dates and process

  • Introduced and filed October 1, 2025.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on October 14, 2025.
  • As an emergency measure, the act is intended to take effect immediately upon enactment, with regulatory rules to be issued by the Attorney General (and in the motor-vehicle portion, in consultation with the RMV).

Potential impacts

  • Increased pricing transparency by itemizing tariffs in vehicle pricing and general retail transactions.
  • Additional compliance requirements and recordkeeping for manufacturers, dealers, retailers, wholesalers, and importers.
  • Potential changes to consumer decision-making due to visible tariff costs.
  • Strong enforcement mechanism with civil penalties and potential injunctive relief for violations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.