House Bill 61 (HB 61) amends definitions in the Unfair Practices Act, and civil penalties for violations of that Act are increased. 

 House Bill 61 (HB 61) expands the definitions of “trade” and “commerce” to include a sale, lease, rent or loan, the extension of credit or collection of debts, and services provided by licensed professionals.

The definition of “property” is expanded to mean any property, tangible or intangible, real, personal, or mixed.
The definition of “unfair or deceptive trade practice” is expanded to include any “other unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the regular course of trade or commerce.

“Unconscionable trade practice” is given a broader definition as an act or practice in connection with trade or commerce that [is] to a person’s detriment.
Civil penalties are increased from $5,000 to $10,000 per violation, and a penalty of $25,000 is added if an unfair or deceptive trade practice or unconscionable trade practice arises out of a disaster or state of emergency as declared by a federal, state, or local official. The attorney general may also recover the costs of investigation and enforcement whenever a court imposes a civil liability.
 

 The current statute does not include the specific definitions and terms are more broadly defined. 

 Committee Substitute February 24, 2025 in HCEDC

HCEDCcs/HB 61: The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s substitute for House Bill 61 modifies the definition of trade, deleting the language that includes “services provided by licensed individuals.”