2006 House Bill 5955 / Public Act 292

Regulate EBay auction "trading assistants"

Introduced in the House

April 19, 2006

Introduced by Rep. Dave Hildenbrand (R-86)

To impose regulations on Internet "trading assistants." These are companies or individuals who assist other persons with posting and selling items through on-line auction web sites like EBay. Trading assistants would be required to have a fixed place of business in the state; post certain details of the merchandise on the web site, including make, model, serial number and more; be searchable by state or zip code on the web site; maintain detailed sale records for two years; give local police access to the place of business during regular working hours; give police the sellers name, address and drivers license number, plus a description of the property within 24 hours of entering a contract to assist in a sale; accept payment only by check or electronic transfer, not cash; and remove the item from the web site immediately if informed that it is stolen. The bill is part of a package comprise of House Bills 5955 to 5958, which place the regulations in various public acts.

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Technology

May 3, 2006

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 11, 2006

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

May 16, 2006

Passed in the House 104 to 1 (details)

Received in the Senate

May 17, 2006

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor

June 21, 2006

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 22, 2006

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

June 28, 2006

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To impose regulations on Internet "trading assistants." These are companies or individuals who assist other persons with posting and selling items through on-line auction web sites like EBay. Trading assistants would be required to have a fixed place of business in the state; post certain details of the merchandise on the web site, including make, model, serial number and more; be searchable by state or zip code on the web site; maintain detailed sale records for two years; give local police access to the place of business during regular working hours; give police the sellers name, address and drivers license number, plus a description of the property within 24 hours of entering a contract to assist in a sale; accept payment only by check or electronic transfer, not cash; and remove the item from the web site immediately if informed that it is stolen. The bill is part of a package comprise of House Bills 5955 to 5958, which place the regulations in various public acts.

Received in the House

June 28, 2006

June 29, 2006

Passed in the House 103 to 1 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

July 18, 2006