SB35 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Collectible items, sports memorabilia, art, etc., represented as authentic, recovery of purchase price if not authentic, civil actions, damages

Summary

SB35 creates a consumer remedy for fraudulent sales of collectibles by letting buyers recover the purchase price plus damages when a dealer falsely claims an item is authentic.

What This Bill Does

It lets a consumer or other person who bought a collectible based on a representation of authenticity recover the full purchase price plus damages if the item is not authentic, within three years of purchase. It authorizes civil actions to enforce these rights and imposes civil penalties for false representations of authenticity. The bill defines key terms and who qualifies as a dealer, and it excludes barter transactions and dealer-to-dealer sales from the act. It provides these remedies in addition to any other legal remedies that may exist.

Who It Affects

• Consumers who purchase autographed or other collectible items from dealers, who could recover the full purchase price plus damages if the item is not authentic.
• Dealers who sell collectibles, who must avoid making false authenticity representations or face civil actions and penalties under the act.

Key Provisions

• Provides a specific remedy: a consumer can recover the full purchase price plus damages if a collectible sold as authentic is not authentic.
• Allows civil actions to enforce rights and imposes civil penalties for false representations of authenticity.
• Defines terms such as authentic, collectible, dealer, autographed item, entertainment media item, historical artifact, limited edition, memorabilia, and representation; sets who counts as a dealer (three or more collectibles sold in the prior 12 months) and outlines related categories.
• Excludes applicability to collections bought by barter, or sold between dealers (dealer-to-dealer transfers).
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumers and Consumer Protection