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Bill

H 3779

Gross income

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phillip Bowers and 13 co-sponsors

Massachusetts H 3779 expands consumer protections by allowing buyers or lessees of used vehicles to void purchases or leases if a safety inspection fails within 7 days, with refund

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Burns
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3779

Summary — H 3779

Note: The materials provided combine two distinct bills that share the identifier H 3779 in different jurisdictions. Below are separate, concise summaries for each measure, followed by procedural status and a short note on the mixed-source materials.

A. Massachusetts — “An Act relative to motor vehicle leasing parity” (House No. 3779 / House Docket 3658)

Purpose

To extend and clarify consumer protections for purchasers of used motor vehicles to lessees, create parity between sales and leases when vehicles fail safety inspections, and to restrict certain dealer representations of vehicle value in leases.

Key provisions

  • Replaces Mass. Gen. Laws c.90, §7N with a provision allowing a buyer or lessee to void a sale or lease if the vehicle fails a required safety (or combined safety and emissions) inspection within 7 days of the sale/lease, subject to conditions:
    • Failures must not be caused by abusive/negligent operation or post-sale accident damage.
    • Necessary repairs must exceed 10% of the purchase price for sales, or exceed 10% of the total payments due under the lease over the full lease term.
  • To void, buyer/lessee must, within 14 days:
    • Notify the dealer,
    • Return the vehicle,
    • Provide a written signed statement from a licensed inspection station describing the defects and repair estimate.
  • Refund rules: Buyer/lessee is entitled to a refund of the purchase price unless the dealer agrees in writing to make repairs at the dealer’s expense within a reasonable time.
  • Expands definitions in c.90 §7N1/4 to expressly include “lessee,” treats leased vehicles similar to sold vehicles for purposes of these consumer protections, and adjusts related definitions (buyer, consumer, dealer, purchase price, repurchase price).
  • Adds a provision (c.93 §115) prohibiting dealers from assigning or representing a lease-end vehicle value higher than the advertised or otherwise represented purchase price (text in provided materials truncated).

Who is affected

  • Consumers who buy or lease used motor vehicles for personal/family use in Massachusetts (lessees defined as leases of at least one year).
  • Motor vehicle dealers and lessors operating in Massachusetts.
  • Licensed vehicle inspection stations (required to provide statements).

Procedural status (from provided text)

  • Filed: 1/17/2025 (House Docket 3658). Presented by Reps. Aaron L. Saunders and Vanna Howard.
  • Referred to Transportation (2/27/2025); hearing scheduled 5/13/2025; reported favorably and referred to House Ways & Means (7/28/2025).
  • Multiple members subsequently added as sponsors.

B. South Carolina — Amendment to gross income (H. 3779 / S.C. Code §12-6-1120)

Purpose

To exclude certain employer-reported tips from South Carolina gross income for state income tax purposes and to define “tips.”

Key provisions

  • Amends S.C. Code §12-6-1120(3) to state: South Carolina gross income does not include tips received during the taxable year that are included on statements furnished to the recipient’s employer as required by federal law.
  • Defines “tips” as discretionary payments determined by a customer that an employee receives, including cash tips and tips through electronic settlement/payment.
  • Effective on approval by the Governor.

Who is affected

  • Employees who receive tips and report them to employers (e.g., service industry workers).
  • Employers (payroll and withholding processes) and state tax administration.
  • State revenue — potential reduction in taxable income reported for tipped employees (impact depends on interaction with federal reporting and withholding).

Procedural status (from provided text)

  • Filed: 01/16/2025 in the South Carolina General Assembly (126th Session).
  • Text indicates immediate effect upon gubernatorial approval.

Notes / Recommendations

  • The packet supplied mixes two different bills (Massachusetts consumer protections for vehicle leases and a South Carolina tax change excluding tips). Confirm the jurisdiction you intend to track.
  • For both measures, consult the official legislative websites for up-to-date amendments, companion bills, committee reports, and final status (enacted, vetoed, or pending).

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

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