S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 1730--A
                                                        Cal. No. 311

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             January 9, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. BRODSKY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development -- reported  from  commit-
  tee,  advanced  to  a  third  reading,  amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third reading

AN ACT to amend  the  general  business  law,  in  relation  to  auction
  requirements

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Legislative  intent.  The  legislature  declares  that  the
following  provisions  of law are in addition to other provisions of law
and regulations applicable to auctions.
  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 29 to
read as follows:
  S 29. REQUIREMENTS FOR AUCTIONS. 1.    THE  AUCTIONEER  WILL  BE  HELD
RESPONSIBLE  FOR  THE TRUTH OF ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN ANY CATALOGUE,
ADVERTISEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT, PRESS RELEASE  OR  OTHER  PUBLIC  STATEMENT
MADE BY THE AUCTIONEER RELATING TO ANY AUCTION.
  2. A. NO PERSONAL PROPERTY MAY BE AUCTIONED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO A WRIT-
TEN  CONTRACT  BETWEEN  THE  CONSIGNOR OR HIS OR HER AGENT OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE AND THE AUCTIONEER, UNLESS AUCTIONED PURSUANT TO AN ORDER
OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
  B. EVERY CONTRACT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION
MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
  (I) ALL FEES, COMMISSIONS AND CHARGES TO BE PAID BY THE  CONSIGNOR  TO
THE AUCTIONEER OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR
ASSIGNS SHALL:
  (1)  TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE ITEMIZED AND SPECIFIED AS TO AMOUNT
(WHICH MAY BE STATED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE RESERVE PRICE OR  ANY  FINAL
BID), AND
  (2)  IF SUCH ITEMIZATION AND SPECIFICATION AS TO AMOUNT IS NOT PRACTI-
CABLE, BE DESCRIBED WITH SUFFICIENT PARTICULARITY TO INFORM THE  CONSIG-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD04810-02-9

A. 1730--A                          2

NOR  OF  THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES FOR WHICH SUCH FEES, COMMISSIONS AND
CHARGES WILL BE IMPOSED.
  (II) THAT AS OF THE DATE OF THE AUCTION THE CONSIGNOR WARRANTS THAT HE
OR SHE HAS COMPLETE AND LAWFUL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY
AUCTIONED, AND THAT THE CONSIGNOR SHALL INDEMNIFY THE AUCTIONEER, HIS OR
HER  AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR ASSIGNS IN THE EVENT OF
ANY DEFECT IN TITLE, AND THAT AN INTENDED BENEFICIARY OF  THIS  WARRANTY
IS THE ULTIMATE PURCHASER AT AUCTION.
  C.  WHERE  ARTICLES  ARE  REFERRED TO BY CATALOGUE OR ADVERTISEMENT AS
HAVING BEEN OBTAINED FROM ANY SPECIFIC PERSON,  PLACE  OR  SOURCE,  SUCH
ARTICLES MUST BE SEPARATELY ENUMERATED AND IDENTIFIED.
  D. IF AN AUCTIONEER OR AUCTION HOUSE HAS ANY INTEREST, DIRECT OR INDI-
RECT,  IN  AN  ARTICLE,  INCLUDING  A GUARANTEED MINIMUM, OTHER THAN THE
SELLING COMMISSION, THE FACT SUCH INTEREST EXISTS MUST BE  DISCLOSED  IN
CONNECTION  WITH ANY DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTICLE OR ARTICLES IN THE CATA-
LOGUE OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION
TO THE SALE. SUCH NOTICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A PROMINENT SYMBOL OR  LETTER
WHICH  WILL  REFER  THE  READER  TO  AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE
INTEREST THE SYMBOL  OR  LETTER  DENOTES.  IN  ADDITION,  PRIOR  TO  THE
COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE AUCTION, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ORALLY ANNOUNCE THAT
THOSE LOTS IN WHICH THE AUCTIONEER  HAS  AN  INTEREST  COVERED  BY  THIS
SUBDIVISION HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN THE AUCTION CATALOGUE AND THE SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE SUCH INTEREST.
  E.  WHERE A CONSIGNOR IS TO RECEIVE A REBATE COMMISSION IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, OR WHERE HE OR SHE WILL BE PERMITTED TO BID UPON AND TO  BUY  BACK
HIS  OR HER OWN ARTICLE AT THE SALE, DISCLOSURE OF SUCH A CONDITION MUST
BE MADE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  ITEM  OR  ITEMS  SO
AFFECTED  IN  THE  CATALOGUE  OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR
DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO THE SALE. THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH  A  CONDITION
MAY  BE  DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER THE READER TO AN
EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE INTEREST THE SYMBOL OR LETTER DENOTES.
  F. (I) IF THE CONSIGNOR HAS FIXED A PRICE BELOW WHICH AN ARTICLE  WILL
NOT  BE  SOLD,  THE "RESERVE PRICE", THE FACT THAT THE LOT IS BEING SOLD
SUBJECT TO RESERVE MUST BE DISCLOSED IN CONNECTION WITH THE  DESCRIPTION
OF  ANY  LOT  SO AFFECTED IN THE CATALOGUE OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL
PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO THE SALE.  THE  EXISTENCE  OF  A
RESERVE  PRICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER THE
READER TO AN EXPLANATION OF RESERVE PRICE. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARA-
GRAPH AND PARAGRAPHS D AND E  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  ADVERTISEMENTS  IN
NEWSPAPERS  OR  OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL.
WHERE NO PRINTED MATERIAL IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE AUCTION  AN
AUCTIONEER  SHALL HAVE AVAILABLE DURING ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION PERIOD
INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER A PARTICULAR LOT IS  TO  BE  SOLD  SUBJECT  TO
RESERVE  AND  SHALL ANNOUNCE BEFORE HE OR SHE COMMENCES THE AUCTION THAT
SUCH INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
  (II) WHEN A LOT IS NOT SUBJECT TO  A  RESERVE  PRICE,  THE  AUCTIONEER
SHALL  NOT  INDICATE  IN ANY MANNER THAT THE LOT IS SUBJECT TO A RESERVE
PRICE.
  G. IN THE EVENT AN AUCTIONEER EXTENDS  A  LOAN  TO  A  PURCHASER,  THE
AUCTIONEER  SHALL DISCLOSE IN A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE COMMENCEMENT
OF THE AUCTION THAT BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE  SALE  WHO  HAVE
BEEN OFFERED A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER. IN ADDITION, THIS DISCLOSURE MUST
ALSO  BE  MADE ON SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT
THE ENTRANCE THERETO. SUCH SIGNS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DISCLOSURE,
OR CONVEY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE:

A. 1730--A                          3

  "BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SALE WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED A LOAN
BY THE AUCTIONEER."
  H. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL:
  (I) PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO THE NUMBER OF JEWELS, APPROXIMATE NUMBER
OF  CARATS,  NUMBER  OF  POINTS  (DIAMOND), PRINCIPAL METAL CONTENT, AND
MANUFACTURER'S NAME, IF KNOWN, FOR ALL ARTICLES  OF  JEWELRY,  INCLUDING
WATCHES.  THE  INFORMATION  REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE PROVIDED
EITHER IN THE CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS OF SUCH ITEMS OR  BY  ATTACHING  TO
EACH SUCH ITEM A TAG OR MARKING CONTAINING THE INFORMATION.
  (II)  ISSUE  OR  CAUSE TO BE ISSUED TO EACH PURCHASER AN INVOICE WHICH
SHALL CONTAIN ALL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
  (1) THE AUCTIONEER'S NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS AND LICENSE NUMBER;
  (2) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE AUCTIONEER'S EMPLOYER OR PRINCIPAL;
  (3) THE DATE OF SALE;
  (4) THE LOT NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, QUANTITY AND SELLING  PRICE  OF  EACH
LOT;
  (5)  THE  TOTAL  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE WITH A SEPARATE STATEMENT OF SALES
TAX;
  (6) ALL DEPOSITS MADE AGAINST THE PURCHASE PRICE.
  (III) ADVERTISE EACH AUCTION SALE AT LEAST ONCE IN THE SEVEN DAY PERI-
OD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE AUCTION.
  (IV) NOTIFY THE PERSON WHOSE PROPERTY  IS  BEING  AUCTIONED  (AND  ANY
OTHER  PERSON  ENTITLED TO BE NOTIFIED ACCORDING TO LAW) AS TO THE DATE,
PLACE AND TIME OF SALE.
  (V) PERMIT (PRIOR TO THE START OF THE AUCTION) PROSPECTIVE  PURCHASERS
TO INSPECT EACH AND EVERY ARTICLE TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE.
  (VI)  FURNISH  TO  ANY  BUYER,  CONSIGNOR OR OWNER OF AN ARTICLE, UPON
REQUEST, INFORMATION AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF THAT  ARTICLE  THAT  COMES
INTO HIS OR HER POSSESSION OR THAT IS SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY HIM OR
HER.
  (VII)  SEND CHECKS FOR THE NET AMOUNT RECEIVED ON ALL SALES TO PERSONS
ENTITLED TO THE PROCEEDS THEREOF WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF  DATE  OF  SALE
(EXCEPT  AS  OTHERWISE  AGREED  IN WRITING OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW)
TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE DETAILED STATEMENT INCLUDING LOT NUMBER,  QUAN-
TITY,  DESCRIPTION  AND SELLING PRICE OF EACH LOT; TOTAL AMOUNT RECEIVED
ON SALE; AND DISBURSEMENTS LISTING COMMISSION,  COST  OF  ADVERTISEMENT,
LABOR, CHARGES AND ALLOWANCES, AND SUNDRY EXPENSES.
  (VIII) WHEN AN AUCTIONEER HAS A NUMBER OF THE SAME KIND OF ARTICLES TO
BE  SOLD  AND  INTENDS TO DISPOSE OF EACH OF THEM AT THE AMOUNT AT WHICH
THE FIRST IS SOLD, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO  THAT  EFFECT
PRIOR TO OPENING THE SALE OF THE FIRST ARTICLE.
  I.  IF  AN  AUCTIONEER  MAKES LOANS OR ADVANCES MONEY TO CONSIGNORS OR
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS, THIS FACT MUST BE CONSPICUOUSLY DISCLOSED IN THE
AUCTIONEER'S CATALOGUE OR PRINTED MATERIAL. IF THE AUCTIONEER  DOES  NOT
PROVIDE  ANY SUCH PRINTED MATERIAL, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE THE DISCLOSURE,
EITHER BY CONSPICUOUSLY POSTING A SIGN, OR IN ANOTHER SIMILARLY CONSPIC-
UOUS MANNER, AT THE TIME OF ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION PERIODS  PRIOR  TO
THE  AUCTIONS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWS-
PAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL.
  J. EXCEPT TO IMPLEMENT A RESERVE PRICE, AND SUBJECT  TO  THE  REQUIRE-
MENTS  OF  PARAGRAPH  B OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, NO AUCTIO-
NEER, HIS OR HER CONSIGNOR, EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER, ASSIGNEE  OR  AGENT  FOR
ANY  OF THEM MAY BID FOR HIS OR HER OWN ACCOUNT AT ANY AUCTION IF ANY OF
THEM SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION NOT  OTHERWISE  AVAILABLE  TO  THE
PUBLIC REGARDING RESERVES, VALUE OR OTHER MATERIAL FACTS RELATING TO THE
ARTICLES  WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE AUCTION, UNLESS THEIR STATUS AS A

A. 1730--A                          4

PERSON WITH INSIDE INFORMATION AND INTENDED PARTICIPATION  IS  DISCLOSED
IN  THE  AUCTIONEER'S  CATALOGUE  AND  ANY PRINTED MATERIAL AND ON SIGNS
POSTED AT THE AUCTION.
  K.  WHEREVER  AN  ESTIMATE  OR  ESTIMATED  VALUE  OF AN ITEM OR LOT IS
PUBLISHED IN A CATALOGUE OR ANY  OTHER  PRINTED  MATERIAL  PUBLISHED  OR
DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO AN AUCTION SALE, A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
ESTIMATE  AND  ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE INCLUDED IN SUCH PRINTED
MATERIAL. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, ADVERTISEMENTS  IN  NEWSPA-
PERS  OR  OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL. WHERE
NO PRINTED MATERIAL IS PROVIDED, AND AN ESTIMATE OR ESTIMATED  VALUE  IS
ANNOUNCED  OR  DISSEMINATED  IN ANY MANNER, A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
ESTIMATE AND ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION
AND ITS AVAILABILITY MUST  BE  ANNOUNCED  AT  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE
AUCTION.
  L.  IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT INDICATING AN AUCTION SALE DUE TO A BUSINESS'
LOSS OF LEASE OR LIQUIDATION, THE AUCTIONEER MUST INCLUDE  THE  NAME  OF
THE  CONSIGNOR  OR  BUSINESS AUTHORIZING THE AUCTION. IN ANY SALE ADVER-
TISED AS PURSUANT TO A SECURITY AGREEMENT, THE NAME OF THE DEBTOR  SHALL
BE INDICATED CONSPICUOUSLY.
  3.  A.  IF THE RESERVE PRICE IS NOT BID, THE AUCTIONEER MAY WITHDRAW A
LOT FROM SALE. AT THE TIME OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL,  AND  BEFORE  BIDDING  ON
ANOTHER LOT BEGINS, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ANNOUNCE THAT THE WITHDRAWN LOT
HAS BEEN "PASSED", "WITHDRAWN", "RETURNED TO OWNER" OR "BOUGHT-IN".
  B.  BEFORE BIDDING ON ANY LOT HAS REACHED ITS RESERVE PRICE NO AUCTIO-
NEER MAY MAKE OR PLACE CONSECUTIVE OR SUCCESSIVE BIDS, OR PLACE BIDS  IN
RESPONSE  TO  BIDS  FROM  OTHERS, ON BEHALF OF THE CONSIGNOR, UNLESS THE
FACT THAT THE AUCTIONEER WILL OR MAY BID IN SUCH A MANNER IS CLEARLY AND
CONSPICUOUSLY DISCLOSED IN ANY CATALOGUE AND ANY OTHER PRINTED  MATERIAL
PUBLISHED  OR  DISTRIBUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE. FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THIS PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS  IN  NEWSPAPERS  OR  OTHER  PERIODICALS
SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL. THIS DISCLOSURE MUST ALSO BE MADE
ON  SIGNS  PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT THE ENTRANCE
THERETO, AND MUST BE ANNOUNCED BY THE AUCTIONEER  IMMEDIATELY  PRIOR  TO
THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY AUCTION.
  THE  SIGN REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH MUST BE AT LEAST TWELVE INCHES BY
EIGHTEEN INCHES IN DIMENSION WITH LETTERS AT LEAST ONE  INCH  HIGH,  AND
MUST READ AS FOLLOWS, OR CONVEY A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR DISCLOSURE:
  THE  AUCTIONEER MAY OPEN BIDDING ON ANY LOT BY PLACING A BID ON BEHALF
OF THE SELLER. THE AUCTIONEER MAY FURTHER BID ON BEHALF OF  THE  SELLER,
UP  TO  THE  AMOUNT OF THE RESERVE, BY PLACING SUCCESSIVE OR CONSECUTIVE
BIDS FOR A LOT, OR BY PLACING BIDS IN RESPONSE TO OTHER BIDDERS.
  C. AFTER BIDDING HAS REACHED THE RESERVE PRICE OF A LOT:
  (I) THE AUCTIONEER MAY NOT BID ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  CONSIGNOR  OR  THE
AUCTION HOUSE; AND
  (II)  THE  AUCTIONEER MAY ONLY ACCEPT BIDS FROM PERSONS OTHER THAN THE
CONSIGNOR OR THE AUCTION HOUSE EXCEPT ABSENTEE TELEPHONE, ORDER OR OTHER
AGENT'S BIDS;
  (III) THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY TO AUCTION SALES CONDUCTED PURSU-
ANT TO AN ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING AN ORDER
OF A BANKRUPTCY JUDGE OR TRUSTEE, OR A SALE OF SECURED PROPERTY PURSUANT
TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, OR THE SALE OF PROPERTY WHICH IS SUBJECT
TO A LIEN OR ASSIGNMENT PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
  D. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RESERVE PRICE FOR ANY LOT EXCEED THE  MINIMUM
ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE LOT AS PUBLISHED IN ANY CATALOGUE OR OTHER PRINT-
ED MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED BY THE AUCTIONEER.

A. 1730--A                          5

  4.  A.  AN  AUCTIONEER  MAY NOT DISCLAIM WARRANTY OF TITLE OF ANY ITEM
SOLD AT AUCTION. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL  REIMBURSE  ANY  PURCHASER  IN  AN
AMOUNT  EQUAL  TO THE SUCCESSFUL BID AT AUCTION PLUS ANY BUYER'S COMMIS-
SION PAID IN THE EVENT IT IS  DETERMINED  THAT  THE  PURCHASER  HAS  NOT
ACQUIRED TRANSFERABLE TITLE TO THE ITEM.
  B.  AT  THE AUCTION SALE PREMISES ONLY EXTERIOR SIGNS MAY BE DISPLAYED
ADVERTISING THE AUCTION SALE BUT THE SAME  SHALL  NOT  BE  EXCESSIVE  IN
SIZE.
  C. AN AUCTIONEER MAY NOT:
  (I)  OFFER  MORE  THAN ONE ARTICLE FOR SALE AT ANY ONE TIME UNLESS THE
COMBINING OF ARTICLES OR LOTS IS SO INDICATED PRIOR TO THE INITIAL BID.
  (II) REPRESENT AN ARTICLE TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR  THE
OWNER UNLESS A MANUFACTURER'S OR OWNER'S GUARANTEE ACCOMPANIES THE ARTI-
CLE.
  (III)  OFFER  AN  ARTICLE  CONTAINED  IN  A  CARTON,  PACKAGE OR OTHER
CONTAINER COMMONLY KNOWN AS A BLIND ARTICLE UNLESS PRIOR TO THE OFFER IT
IS ANNOUNCED THAT THE HIGHEST BIDDER  MAY  REJECT  THE  ARTICLE  IF  NOT
SATISFACTORY  TO HIM OR HER. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT REFER TO AN AUCTION
OF ARTICLES IN BULK WHERE A SAMPLE IS DISPLAYED AND BALANCE OF  ARTICLES
ARE REPRESENTED TO CONFORM TO THE SAMPLE.
  (IV) ACCEPT AS PAYMENT OR EXCHANGE ANY ARTICLE PREVIOUSLY KNOCKED DOWN
OR SOLD TO A SUCCESSFUL BIDDER. THE ARTICLE KNOCKED DOWN OR SOLD MUST BE
DELIVERED  TO  THE  BIDDER  OR,  IF THE AUCTIONEER IS WILLING AND AT THE
BIDDER'S ELECTION, THE PURCHASE PRICE REFUNDED IN FULL. NO OTHER ARTICLE
MAY BE OFFERED TO SAID BIDDER  AS  A  SUBSTITUTE  OR  REPLACEMENT.  SUCH
REFUND  SHALL  TAKE  PLACE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR MAY BE APPLIED AS
PART PAYMENT OR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER ARTICLE PURCHASED  AT  AUCTION  BY
THE SAME BIDDER.
  5.  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION SHALL BE ENFORCED BY THE COUNTY
OFFICER CHARGED WITH ENFORCEMENT  OF  CONSUMER  PROTECTION  WITHIN  SUCH
COUNTY,  EXCEPT  THAT  IN  THE  CITY OF NEW YORK, BY THE COMMISSIONER OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF SUCH CITY.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth  day  after  it  shall
have become a law.

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 1730--B
                                                        Cal. No. 311

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             January 9, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. BRODSKY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development -- reported  from  commit-
  tee,  advanced  to  a  third  reading,  amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third  reading  --  reported  from
  committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third reading

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  general  business  law,  in relation to auction
  requirements

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  The  legislature  declares that the
following provisions of law are in addition to other provisions  of  law
and regulations applicable to auctions.
  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 29 to
read as follows:
  S  29.  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  AUCTIONS.  1.   THE AUCTIONEER WILL BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRUTH OF ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN  ANY  CATALOGUE,
ADVERTISEMENT,  ANNOUNCEMENT,  PRESS  RELEASE  OR OTHER PUBLIC STATEMENT
MADE BY THE AUCTIONEER RELATING TO ANY AUCTION.
  2. A. NO PERSONAL PROPERTY MAY BE AUCTIONED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO A WRIT-
TEN CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CONSIGNOR OR HIS OR  HER  AGENT  OR  AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE AND THE AUCTIONEER, UNLESS AUCTIONED PURSUANT TO AN ORDER
OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
  B. EVERY CONTRACT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION
MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
  (I)  ALL  FEES, COMMISSIONS AND CHARGES TO BE PAID BY THE CONSIGNOR TO
THE AUCTIONEER OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR
ASSIGNS SHALL:
  (1) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE ITEMIZED AND SPECIFIED AS TO  AMOUNT
(WHICH  MAY  BE STATED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE RESERVE PRICE OR ANY FINAL
BID), AND

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD04810-06-9

A. 1730--B                          2

  (2) IF SUCH ITEMIZATION AND SPECIFICATION AS TO AMOUNT IS NOT  PRACTI-
CABLE,  BE DESCRIBED WITH SUFFICIENT PARTICULARITY TO INFORM THE CONSIG-
NOR OF THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES FOR WHICH SUCH FEES,  COMMISSIONS  AND
CHARGES WILL BE IMPOSED.
  (II) THAT AS OF THE DATE OF THE AUCTION THE CONSIGNOR WARRANTS THAT HE
OR SHE HAS COMPLETE AND LAWFUL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY
AUCTIONED, AND THAT THE CONSIGNOR SHALL INDEMNIFY THE AUCTIONEER, HIS OR
HER  AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR ASSIGNS IN THE EVENT OF
ANY DEFECT IN TITLE, AND THAT AN INTENDED BENEFICIARY OF  THIS  WARRANTY
IS THE ULTIMATE PURCHASER AT AUCTION.
  C.  WHERE  ARTICLES  ARE  REFERRED TO BY CATALOGUE OR ADVERTISEMENT AS
HAVING BEEN OBTAINED FROM ANY SPECIFIC PERSON,  PLACE  OR  SOURCE,  SUCH
ARTICLES MUST BE SEPARATELY ENUMERATED AND IDENTIFIED.
  D. IF AN AUCTIONEER OR AUCTION HOUSE HAS ANY INTEREST, DIRECT OR INDI-
RECT,  IN  AN  ARTICLE,  INCLUDING  A GUARANTEED MINIMUM, OTHER THAN THE
SELLING COMMISSION, THE FACT SUCH INTEREST EXISTS MUST BE  DISCLOSED  IN
CONNECTION  WITH ANY DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTICLE OR ARTICLES IN THE CATA-
LOGUE OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION
TO THE SALE. SUCH NOTICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A PROMINENT SYMBOL OR  LETTER
WHICH  WILL  REFER  THE  READER  TO  AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE
INTEREST THE SYMBOL  OR  LETTER  DENOTES.  IN  ADDITION,  PRIOR  TO  THE
COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE AUCTION, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ORALLY ANNOUNCE THAT
THOSE LOTS IN WHICH THE AUCTIONEER  HAS  AN  INTEREST  COVERED  BY  THIS
SUBDIVISION HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN THE AUCTION CATALOGUE AND THE SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE SUCH INTEREST.
  E.  WHERE A CONSIGNOR IS TO RECEIVE A REBATE COMMISSION IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, OR WHERE HE OR SHE WILL BE PERMITTED TO BID UPON AND TO  BUY  BACK
HIS  OR HER OWN ARTICLE AT THE SALE, DISCLOSURE OF SUCH A CONDITION MUST
BE MADE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  ITEM  OR  ITEMS  SO
AFFECTED  IN  THE  CATALOGUE  OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR
DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO THE SALE. THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH  A  CONDITION
MAY  BE  DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER THE READER TO AN
EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE INTEREST THE SYMBOL OR LETTER DENOTES.
  F. (I) IF THE CONSIGNOR HAS FIXED A PRICE BELOW WHICH AN ARTICLE  WILL
NOT  BE  SOLD,  THE "RESERVE PRICE", THE FACT THAT THE LOT IS BEING SOLD
SUBJECT TO RESERVE MUST BE DISCLOSED IN CONNECTION WITH THE  DESCRIPTION
OF  ANY  LOT  SO AFFECTED IN THE CATALOGUE OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL
PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO THE SALE.  THE  EXISTENCE  OF  A
RESERVE  PRICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER THE
READER TO AN EXPLANATION OF RESERVE PRICE. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARA-
GRAPH AND PARAGRAPHS D AND E  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  ADVERTISEMENTS  IN
NEWSPAPERS  OR  OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL.
WHERE NO PRINTED MATERIAL IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE AUCTION  AN
AUCTIONEER  SHALL HAVE AVAILABLE DURING ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION PERIOD
INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER A PARTICULAR LOT IS  TO  BE  SOLD  SUBJECT  TO
RESERVE  AND  SHALL ANNOUNCE BEFORE HE OR SHE COMMENCES THE AUCTION THAT
SUCH INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
  (II) WHEN A LOT IS NOT SUBJECT TO  A  RESERVE  PRICE,  THE  AUCTIONEER
SHALL  NOT  INDICATE  IN ANY MANNER THAT THE LOT IS SUBJECT TO A RESERVE
PRICE.
  G. IN THE EVENT AN AUCTIONEER EXTENDS  A  LOAN  TO  A  PURCHASER,  THE
AUCTIONEER  SHALL DISCLOSE IN A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE COMMENCEMENT
OF THE AUCTION THAT BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE  SALE  WHO  HAVE
BEEN OFFERED A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER. IN ADDITION, THIS DISCLOSURE MUST
ALSO  BE  MADE ON SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT

A. 1730--B                          3

THE ENTRANCE THERETO. SUCH SIGNS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DISCLOSURE,
OR CONVEY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE:
  "BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SALE WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED A LOAN
BY THE AUCTIONEER."
  H. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL:
  (I) PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO THE NUMBER OF JEWELS, APPROXIMATE NUMBER
OF  CARATS,  NUMBER  OF  POINTS  (DIAMOND), PRINCIPAL METAL CONTENT, AND
MANUFACTURER'S NAME, IF KNOWN, FOR ALL ARTICLES  OF  JEWELRY,  INCLUDING
WATCHES.  THE  INFORMATION  REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE PROVIDED
EITHER IN THE CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS OF SUCH ITEMS OR  BY  ATTACHING  TO
EACH SUCH ITEM A TAG OR MARKING CONTAINING THE INFORMATION.
  (II)  ISSUE  OR  CAUSE TO BE ISSUED TO EACH PURCHASER AN INVOICE WHICH
SHALL CONTAIN ALL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
  (1) THE AUCTIONEER'S NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS AND LICENSE NUMBER;
  (2) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE AUCTIONEER'S EMPLOYER OR PRINCIPAL;
  (3) THE DATE OF SALE;
  (4) THE LOT NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, QUANTITY AND SELLING  PRICE  OF  EACH
LOT;
  (5)  THE  TOTAL  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE WITH A SEPARATE STATEMENT OF SALES
TAX;
  (6) ALL DEPOSITS MADE AGAINST THE PURCHASE PRICE.
  (III) ADVERTISE EACH AUCTION SALE AT LEAST ONCE IN THE SEVEN DAY PERI-
OD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE AUCTION.
  (IV) NOTIFY THE PERSON WHOSE PROPERTY  IS  BEING  AUCTIONED  (AND  ANY
OTHER  PERSON  ENTITLED TO BE NOTIFIED ACCORDING TO LAW) AS TO THE DATE,
PLACE AND TIME OF SALE.
  (V) PERMIT (PRIOR TO THE START OF THE AUCTION) PROSPECTIVE  PURCHASERS
TO INSPECT EACH AND EVERY ARTICLE TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE.
  (VI)  FURNISH  TO  ANY  BUYER,  CONSIGNOR OR OWNER OF AN ARTICLE, UPON
REQUEST, INFORMATION AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF THAT  ARTICLE  THAT  COMES
INTO HIS OR HER POSSESSION OR THAT IS SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY HIM OR
HER.
  (VII)  SEND CHECKS FOR THE NET AMOUNT RECEIVED ON ALL SALES TO PERSONS
ENTITLED TO THE PROCEEDS THEREOF WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF  DATE  OF  SALE
(EXCEPT  AS  OTHERWISE  AGREED  IN WRITING OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW)
TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE DETAILED STATEMENT INCLUDING LOT NUMBER,  QUAN-
TITY,  DESCRIPTION  AND SELLING PRICE OF EACH LOT; TOTAL AMOUNT RECEIVED
ON SALE; AND DISBURSEMENTS LISTING COMMISSION,  COST  OF  ADVERTISEMENT,
LABOR, CHARGES AND ALLOWANCES, AND SUNDRY EXPENSES.
  (VIII) WHEN AN AUCTIONEER HAS A NUMBER OF THE SAME KIND OF ARTICLES TO
BE  SOLD  AND  INTENDS TO DISPOSE OF EACH OF THEM AT THE AMOUNT AT WHICH
THE FIRST IS SOLD, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO  THAT  EFFECT
PRIOR TO OPENING THE SALE OF THE FIRST ARTICLE.
  I.  IF  AN  AUCTIONEER  MAKES LOANS OR ADVANCES MONEY TO CONSIGNORS OR
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS, THIS FACT MUST BE CONSPICUOUSLY DISCLOSED IN THE
AUCTIONEER'S CATALOGUE OR PRINTED MATERIAL. IF THE AUCTIONEER  DOES  NOT
PROVIDE  ANY SUCH PRINTED MATERIAL, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE THE DISCLOSURE,
EITHER BY CONSPICUOUSLY POSTING A SIGN, OR IN ANOTHER SIMILARLY CONSPIC-
UOUS MANNER, AT THE TIME OF ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION PERIODS  PRIOR  TO
THE  AUCTIONS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWS-
PAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL.
  J. EXCEPT TO IMPLEMENT A RESERVE PRICE, AND SUBJECT  TO  THE  REQUIRE-
MENTS  OF  PARAGRAPH  B OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, NO AUCTIO-
NEER, HIS OR HER CONSIGNOR, EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER, ASSIGNEE  OR  AGENT  FOR
ANY  OF THEM MAY BID FOR HIS OR HER OWN ACCOUNT AT ANY AUCTION IF ANY OF
THEM SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION NOT  OTHERWISE  AVAILABLE  TO  THE

A. 1730--B                          4

PUBLIC REGARDING RESERVES, VALUE OR OTHER MATERIAL FACTS RELATING TO THE
ARTICLES  WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE AUCTION, UNLESS THEIR STATUS AS A
PERSON WITH INSIDE INFORMATION AND INTENDED PARTICIPATION  IS  DISCLOSED
IN  THE  AUCTIONEER'S  CATALOGUE  AND  ANY PRINTED MATERIAL AND ON SIGNS
POSTED AT THE AUCTION.
  K. WHEREVER AN ESTIMATE OR ESTIMATED  VALUE  OF  AN  ITEM  OR  LOT  IS
PUBLISHED  IN  A  CATALOGUE  OR  ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR
DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO AN AUCTION SALE, A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
ESTIMATE AND ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE INCLUDED IN  SUCH  PRINTED
MATERIAL.  FOR  THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPA-
PERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED  MATERIAL.  WHERE
NO  PRINTED  MATERIAL IS PROVIDED, AND AN ESTIMATE OR ESTIMATED VALUE IS
ANNOUNCED OR DISSEMINATED IN ANY MANNER, A GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE
ESTIMATE AND ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION
AND  ITS  AVAILABILITY  MUST  BE  ANNOUNCED  AT  THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE
AUCTION.
  L. IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT INDICATING AN AUCTION SALE DUE TO A  BUSINESS'
LOSS  OF  LEASE  OR LIQUIDATION, THE AUCTIONEER MUST INCLUDE THE NAME OF
THE CONSIGNOR OR BUSINESS AUTHORIZING THE AUCTION. IN  ANY  SALE  ADVER-
TISED  AS PURSUANT TO A SECURITY AGREEMENT, THE NAME OF THE DEBTOR SHALL
BE INDICATED CONSPICUOUSLY.
  3. A. IF THE RESERVE PRICE IS NOT BID, THE AUCTIONEER MAY  WITHDRAW  A
LOT  FROM  SALE.  AT  THE TIME OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL, AND BEFORE BIDDING ON
ANOTHER LOT BEGINS, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ANNOUNCE THAT THE WITHDRAWN LOT
HAS BEEN "PASSED", "WITHDRAWN", "RETURNED TO OWNER" OR "BOUGHT-IN".
  B. BEFORE BIDDING ON ANY LOT HAS REACHED ITS RESERVE PRICE NO  AUCTIO-
NEER  MAY MAKE OR PLACE CONSECUTIVE OR SUCCESSIVE BIDS, OR PLACE BIDS IN
RESPONSE TO BIDS FROM OTHERS, ON BEHALF OF  THE  CONSIGNOR,  UNLESS  THE
FACT THAT THE AUCTIONEER WILL OR MAY BID IN SUCH A MANNER IS CLEARLY AND
CONSPICUOUSLY  DISCLOSED IN ANY CATALOGUE AND ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL
PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE. FOR  THE  PURPOSES
OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH  ADVERTISEMENTS  IN  NEWSPAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS
SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL. THIS DISCLOSURE MUST ALSO BE MADE
ON SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT  THE  ENTRANCE
THERETO,  AND  MUST  BE ANNOUNCED BY THE AUCTIONEER IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO
THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY AUCTION.
  THE SIGN REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH MUST BE AT LEAST TWELVE INCHES  BY
EIGHTEEN  INCHES  IN  DIMENSION WITH LETTERS AT LEAST ONE INCH HIGH, AND
MUST READ AS FOLLOWS, OR CONVEY A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR DISCLOSURE:
  THE AUCTIONEER MAY OPEN BIDDING ON ANY LOT BY PLACING A BID ON  BEHALF
OF  THE  SELLER. THE AUCTIONEER MAY FURTHER BID ON BEHALF OF THE SELLER,
UP TO THE AMOUNT OF THE RESERVE, BY PLACING  SUCCESSIVE  OR  CONSECUTIVE
BIDS FOR A LOT, OR BY PLACING BIDS IN RESPONSE TO OTHER BIDDERS.
  C. AFTER BIDDING HAS REACHED THE RESERVE PRICE OF A LOT:
  (I)  THE  AUCTIONEER  MAY  NOT  BID  ON BEHALF OF THE CONSIGNOR OR THE
AUCTION HOUSE; AND
  (II) THE AUCTIONEER MAY ONLY ACCEPT BIDS FROM PERSONS OTHER  THAN  THE
CONSIGNOR OR THE AUCTION HOUSE EXCEPT ABSENTEE TELEPHONE, ORDER OR OTHER
AGENT'S BIDS;
  (III) THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY TO AUCTION SALES CONDUCTED PURSU-
ANT TO AN ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING AN ORDER
OF A BANKRUPTCY JUDGE OR TRUSTEE, OR A SALE OF SECURED PROPERTY PURSUANT
TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, OR THE SALE OF PROPERTY WHICH IS SUBJECT
TO A LIEN OR ASSIGNMENT PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

A. 1730--B                          5

  D.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RESERVE PRICE FOR ANY LOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM
ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE LOT AS PUBLISHED IN ANY CATALOGUE OR OTHER PRINT-
ED MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED BY THE AUCTIONEER.
  4.  A.  AN  AUCTIONEER  MAY NOT DISCLAIM WARRANTY OF TITLE OF ANY ITEM
SOLD AT AUCTION. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL  REIMBURSE  ANY  PURCHASER  IN  AN
AMOUNT  EQUAL  TO THE SUCCESSFUL BID AT AUCTION PLUS ANY BUYER'S COMMIS-
SION PAID IN THE EVENT IT IS  DETERMINED  THAT  THE  PURCHASER  HAS  NOT
ACQUIRED TRANSFERABLE TITLE TO THE ITEM.
  B.  AT  THE AUCTION SALE PREMISES ONLY EXTERIOR SIGNS MAY BE DISPLAYED
ADVERTISING THE AUCTION SALE BUT THE SAME  SHALL  NOT  BE  EXCESSIVE  IN
SIZE.
  C. AN AUCTIONEER MAY NOT:
  (I)  OFFER  MORE  THAN ONE ARTICLE FOR SALE AT ANY ONE TIME UNLESS THE
COMBINING OF ARTICLES OR LOTS IS SO INDICATED PRIOR TO THE INITIAL BID.
  (II) REPRESENT AN ARTICLE TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR  THE
OWNER UNLESS A MANUFACTURER'S OR OWNER'S GUARANTEE ACCOMPANIES THE ARTI-
CLE.
  (III)  OFFER  AN  ARTICLE  CONTAINED  IN  A  CARTON,  PACKAGE OR OTHER
CONTAINER COMMONLY KNOWN AS A BLIND ARTICLE UNLESS PRIOR TO THE OFFER IT
IS ANNOUNCED THAT THE HIGHEST BIDDER  MAY  REJECT  THE  ARTICLE  IF  NOT
SATISFACTORY  TO HIM OR HER. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT REFER TO AN AUCTION
OF ARTICLES IN BULK WHERE A SAMPLE IS DISPLAYED AND BALANCE OF  ARTICLES
ARE REPRESENTED TO CONFORM TO THE SAMPLE.
  (IV) ACCEPT AS PAYMENT OR EXCHANGE ANY ARTICLE PREVIOUSLY KNOCKED DOWN
OR SOLD TO A SUCCESSFUL BIDDER. THE ARTICLE KNOCKED DOWN OR SOLD MUST BE
DELIVERED  TO  THE  BIDDER  OR,  IF THE AUCTIONEER IS WILLING AND AT THE
BIDDER'S ELECTION, THE PURCHASE PRICE REFUNDED IN FULL. NO OTHER ARTICLE
MAY BE OFFERED TO SAID BIDDER  AS  A  SUBSTITUTE  OR  REPLACEMENT.  SUCH
REFUND  SHALL  TAKE  PLACE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR MAY BE APPLIED AS
PART PAYMENT OR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER ARTICLE PURCHASED  AT  AUCTION  BY
THE SAME BIDDER.
  5.  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION SHALL BE ENFORCED BY THE COUNTY
OFFICER CHARGED WITH ENFORCEMENT  OF  CONSUMER  PROTECTION  WITHIN  SUCH
COUNTY,  EXCEPT  THAT  IN  THE  CITY OF NEW YORK, BY THE COMMISSIONER OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF SUCH CITY.
  6. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO  AUCTIONS
HELD  AS PART OF A FUNDRAISING EVENT BY AN ENTITY CREATED FOR CHARITABLE
PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF PARAGRAPH  FOUR  OF  SUBDIVISION  (A)  OF
SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE TAX LAW WHERE THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH
FUNDRAISING EVENT BENEFIT SUCH ORGANIZATION.
  7.  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE  FOREGOING,  AND UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY
LAW, IN ANY COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND OR LESS, NO
WRITTEN CONTRACT SHALL BE REQUIRED WHERE THE REASONABLY ESTIMATED  VALUE
OF  THE  PROPERTY  TO  BE  AUCTIONED  IS  LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS.
  8. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO  AUCTIONS
CONDUCTED UNDER SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S  3.  Subdivision  3  of  section  23  of the general business law is
amended by adding a new paragraph f to read as follows:
  F.  IN THE EVENT AN AUCTIONEER EXTENDS A  LOAN  TO  A  PURCHASER,  THE
AUCTIONEER  SHALL DISCLOSE IN A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE COMMENCEMENT
OF THE AUCTION THAT BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE  SALE  WHO  HAVE
BEEN OFFERED A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER.
  S  4.  This  act  shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
have become a law.

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 1730--C
                                                        Cal. No. 311

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             January 9, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. BRODSKY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development -- reported  from  commit-
  tee,  advanced  to  a  third  reading,  amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third  reading  --  reported  from
  committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining  its  place  on  the order of third reading -- reported from
  committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third reading

AN ACT to amend  the  general  business  law,  in  relation  to  auction
  requirements

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Legislative  intent.  The  legislature  declares  that  the
following  provisions  of law are in addition to other provisions of law
and regulations applicable to auctions.
  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 29 to
read as follows:
  S 29. REQUIREMENTS FOR AUCTIONS. 1.    THE  AUCTIONEER  WILL  BE  HELD
RESPONSIBLE  FOR  THE TRUTH OF ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN ANY CATALOGUE,
ADVERTISEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT, PRESS RELEASE  OR  OTHER  PUBLIC  STATEMENT
MADE BY THE AUCTIONEER RELATING TO ANY AUCTION.
  2. A. NO PERSONAL PROPERTY MAY BE AUCTIONED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO A WRIT-
TEN  CONTRACT  BETWEEN  THE  CONSIGNOR OR HIS OR HER AGENT OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE AND THE AUCTIONEER, UNLESS AUCTIONED PURSUANT TO AN ORDER
OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
  B. EVERY CONTRACT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION
MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
  (I) ALL FEES, COMMISSIONS AND CHARGES TO BE PAID BY THE  CONSIGNOR  TO
THE AUCTIONEER OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR
ASSIGNS SHALL:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD04810-10-9
              

A. 1730--C                          2

  (1)  TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE ITEMIZED AND SPECIFIED AS TO AMOUNT
(WHICH MAY BE STATED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE RESERVE PRICE OR  ANY  FINAL
BID), AND
  (2)  IF SUCH ITEMIZATION AND SPECIFICATION AS TO AMOUNT IS NOT PRACTI-
CABLE, BE DESCRIBED WITH SUFFICIENT PARTICULARITY TO INFORM THE  CONSIG-
NOR  OF  THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES FOR WHICH SUCH FEES, COMMISSIONS AND
CHARGES WILL BE IMPOSED.
  (II) THAT AS OF THE DATE OF THE AUCTION THE CONSIGNOR WARRANTS THAT HE
OR SHE HAS COMPLETE AND LAWFUL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY
AUCTIONED, AND THAT THE CONSIGNOR SHALL INDEMNIFY THE AUCTIONEER, HIS OR
HER AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR ASSIGNS IN THE EVENT  OF
ANY  DEFECT  IN TITLE, AND THAT AN INTENDED BENEFICIARY OF THIS WARRANTY
IS THE ULTIMATE PURCHASER AT AUCTION.
  C. WHERE ARTICLES ARE REFERRED TO BY  CATALOGUE  OR  ADVERTISEMENT  AS
HAVING  BEEN  OBTAINED  FROM  ANY SPECIFIC PERSON, PLACE OR SOURCE, SUCH
ARTICLES MUST BE SEPARATELY ENUMERATED AND IDENTIFIED.
  D. IF AN AUCTIONEER OR AUCTION HOUSE HAS ANY INTEREST, DIRECT OR INDI-
RECT, IN AN ARTICLE, INCLUDING A  GUARANTEED  MINIMUM,  OTHER  THAN  THE
SELLING  COMMISSION,  THE FACT SUCH INTEREST EXISTS MUST BE DISCLOSED IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTICLE OR ARTICLES IN THE  CATA-
LOGUE OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION
TO  THE SALE. SUCH NOTICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A PROMINENT SYMBOL OR LETTER
WHICH WILL REFER THE READER TO AN  EXPLANATION  OF  THE  NATURE  OF  THE
INTEREST  THE  SYMBOL  OR  LETTER  DENOTES.  IN  ADDITION,  PRIOR TO THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE AUCTION, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ORALLY  ANNOUNCE  THAT
THOSE  LOTS  IN  WHICH  THE  AUCTIONEER  HAS AN INTEREST COVERED BY THIS
SUBDIVISION HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN THE AUCTION CATALOGUE AND THE SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE SUCH INTEREST.
  E. WHERE A CONSIGNOR IS TO RECEIVE A REBATE COMMISSION IN WHOLE OR  IN
PART,  OR  WHERE HE OR SHE WILL BE PERMITTED TO BID UPON AND TO BUY BACK
HIS OR HER OWN ARTICLE AT THE SALE, DISCLOSURE OF SUCH A CONDITION  MUST
BE  MADE  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ANY  DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM OR ITEMS SO
AFFECTED IN THE CATALOGUE OR ANY OTHER  PRINTED  MATERIAL  PUBLISHED  OR
DISTRIBUTED  IN  RELATION TO THE SALE. THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH A CONDITION
MAY BE DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER THE READER  TO  AN
EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE INTEREST THE SYMBOL OR LETTER DENOTES.
  F.  (I) IF THE CONSIGNOR HAS FIXED A PRICE BELOW WHICH AN ARTICLE WILL
NOT BE SOLD, THE "RESERVE PRICE", THE FACT THAT THE LOT  IS  BEING  SOLD
SUBJECT  TO RESERVE MUST BE DISCLOSED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESCRIPTION
OF ANY LOT SO AFFECTED IN THE CATALOGUE OR ANY  OTHER  PRINTED  MATERIAL
PUBLISHED  OR  DISTRIBUTED  IN  RELATION TO THE SALE. THE EXISTENCE OF A
RESERVE PRICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER  THE
READER TO AN EXPLANATION OF RESERVE PRICE. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARA-
GRAPH  AND  PARAGRAPHS  D  AND  E OF THIS SUBDIVISION, ADVERTISEMENTS IN
NEWSPAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE  PRINTED  MATERIAL.
WHERE  NO PRINTED MATERIAL IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE AUCTION AN
AUCTIONEER SHALL HAVE AVAILABLE DURING ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION  PERIOD
INFORMATION  AS  TO  WHETHER  A  PARTICULAR LOT IS TO BE SOLD SUBJECT TO
RESERVE AND SHALL ANNOUNCE BEFORE HE OR SHE COMMENCES THE  AUCTION  THAT
SUCH INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
  (II)  WHEN  A  LOT  IS  NOT SUBJECT TO A RESERVE PRICE, THE AUCTIONEER
SHALL NOT INDICATE IN ANY MANNER THAT THE LOT IS SUBJECT  TO  A  RESERVE
PRICE.
  G.  IN  THE  EVENT  AN  AUCTIONEER  EXTENDS A LOAN TO A PURCHASER, THE
AUCTIONEER SHALL DISCLOSE IN A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE  COMMENCEMENT
OF  THE  AUCTION  THAT BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SALE WHO HAVE

A. 1730--C                          3

BEEN OFFERED A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER. IN ADDITION, THIS DISCLOSURE MUST
ALSO BE MADE ON SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM  AND  AT
THE ENTRANCE THERETO. SUCH SIGNS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DISCLOSURE,
OR CONVEY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE:
  "BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SALE WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED A LOAN
BY THE AUCTIONEER."
  H. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL:
  (I) PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO THE NUMBER OF JEWELS, APPROXIMATE NUMBER
OF  CARATS,  NUMBER  OF  POINTS  (DIAMOND), PRINCIPAL METAL CONTENT, AND
MANUFACTURER'S NAME, IF KNOWN, FOR ALL ARTICLES  OF  JEWELRY,  INCLUDING
WATCHES.  THE  INFORMATION  REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE PROVIDED
EITHER IN THE CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS OF SUCH ITEMS OR  BY  ATTACHING  TO
EACH SUCH ITEM A TAG OR MARKING CONTAINING THE INFORMATION.
  (II)  ISSUE  OR  CAUSE TO BE ISSUED TO EACH PURCHASER AN INVOICE WHICH
SHALL CONTAIN ALL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
  (1) THE AUCTIONEER'S NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS AND LICENSE NUMBER;
  (2) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE AUCTIONEER'S EMPLOYER OR PRINCIPAL;
  (3) THE DATE OF SALE;
  (4) THE LOT NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, QUANTITY AND SELLING  PRICE  OF  EACH
LOT;
  (5)  THE  TOTAL  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE WITH A SEPARATE STATEMENT OF SALES
TAX;
  (6) ALL DEPOSITS MADE AGAINST THE PURCHASE PRICE.
  (III) ADVERTISE EACH AUCTION SALE AT LEAST ONCE IN THE SEVEN DAY PERI-
OD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE AUCTION.
  (IV) NOTIFY THE PERSON WHOSE PROPERTY  IS  BEING  AUCTIONED  (AND  ANY
OTHER  PERSON  ENTITLED TO BE NOTIFIED ACCORDING TO LAW) AS TO THE DATE,
PLACE AND TIME OF SALE.
  (V) PERMIT (PRIOR TO THE START OF THE AUCTION) PROSPECTIVE  PURCHASERS
TO INSPECT EACH AND EVERY ARTICLE TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE.
  (VI)  FURNISH  TO  ANY  BUYER,  CONSIGNOR OR OWNER OF AN ARTICLE, UPON
REQUEST, INFORMATION AS TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF THAT  ARTICLE  THAT  COMES
INTO HIS OR HER POSSESSION OR THAT IS SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY HIM OR
HER.
  (VII)  SEND CHECKS FOR THE NET AMOUNT RECEIVED ON ALL SALES TO PERSONS
ENTITLED TO THE PROCEEDS THEREOF WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF  DATE  OF  SALE
(EXCEPT  AS  OTHERWISE  AGREED  IN WRITING OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW)
TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE DETAILED STATEMENT INCLUDING LOT NUMBER,  QUAN-
TITY,  DESCRIPTION  AND SELLING PRICE OF EACH LOT; TOTAL AMOUNT RECEIVED
ON SALE; AND DISBURSEMENTS LISTING COMMISSION,  COST  OF  ADVERTISEMENT,
LABOR, CHARGES AND ALLOWANCES, AND SUNDRY EXPENSES.
  (VIII) WHEN AN AUCTIONEER HAS A NUMBER OF THE SAME KIND OF ARTICLES TO
BE  SOLD  AND  INTENDS TO DISPOSE OF EACH OF THEM AT THE AMOUNT AT WHICH
THE FIRST IS SOLD, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO  THAT  EFFECT
PRIOR TO OPENING THE SALE OF THE FIRST ARTICLE.
  I.  IF  AN  AUCTIONEER  MAKES LOANS OR ADVANCES MONEY TO CONSIGNORS OR
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS, THIS FACT MUST BE CONSPICUOUSLY DISCLOSED IN THE
AUCTIONEER'S CATALOGUE OR PRINTED MATERIAL. IF THE AUCTIONEER  DOES  NOT
PROVIDE  ANY SUCH PRINTED MATERIAL, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE THE DISCLOSURE,
EITHER BY CONSPICUOUSLY POSTING A SIGN, OR IN ANOTHER SIMILARLY CONSPIC-
UOUS MANNER, AT THE TIME OF ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION PERIODS  PRIOR  TO
THE  AUCTIONS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWS-
PAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL.
  J. EXCEPT TO IMPLEMENT A RESERVE PRICE, AND SUBJECT  TO  THE  REQUIRE-
MENTS  OF  PARAGRAPH  B OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, NO AUCTIO-
NEER, HIS OR HER CONSIGNOR, EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER, ASSIGNEE  OR  AGENT  FOR

A. 1730--C                          4

ANY  OF THEM MAY BID FOR HIS OR HER OWN ACCOUNT AT ANY AUCTION IF ANY OF
THEM SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION NOT  OTHERWISE  AVAILABLE  TO  THE
PUBLIC REGARDING RESERVES, VALUE OR OTHER MATERIAL FACTS RELATING TO THE
ARTICLES  WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE AUCTION, UNLESS THEIR STATUS AS A
PERSON WITH INSIDE INFORMATION AND INTENDED PARTICIPATION  IS  DISCLOSED
IN  THE  AUCTIONEER'S  CATALOGUE  AND  ANY PRINTED MATERIAL AND ON SIGNS
POSTED AT THE AUCTION.
  K. WHEREVER AN ESTIMATE OR ESTIMATED  VALUE  OF  AN  ITEM  OR  LOT  IS
PUBLISHED  IN  A  CATALOGUE  OR  ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR
DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO AN AUCTION SALE, A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
ESTIMATE AND ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE INCLUDED IN  SUCH  PRINTED
MATERIAL.  FOR  THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPA-
PERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED  MATERIAL.  WHERE
NO  PRINTED  MATERIAL IS PROVIDED, AND AN ESTIMATE OR ESTIMATED VALUE IS
ANNOUNCED OR DISSEMINATED IN ANY MANNER, A GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE
ESTIMATE AND ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION
AND  ITS  AVAILABILITY  MUST  BE  ANNOUNCED  AT  THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE
AUCTION.
  L. IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT INDICATING AN AUCTION SALE DUE TO A  BUSINESS'
LOSS  OF  LEASE  OR LIQUIDATION, THE AUCTIONEER MUST INCLUDE THE NAME OF
THE CONSIGNOR OR BUSINESS AUTHORIZING THE AUCTION. IN  ANY  SALE  ADVER-
TISED  AS PURSUANT TO A SECURITY AGREEMENT, THE NAME OF THE DEBTOR SHALL
BE INDICATED CONSPICUOUSLY.
  3. A. IF THE RESERVE PRICE IS NOT BID, THE AUCTIONEER MAY  WITHDRAW  A
LOT  FROM  SALE.  AT  THE TIME OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL, AND BEFORE BIDDING ON
ANOTHER LOT BEGINS, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ANNOUNCE THAT THE WITHDRAWN LOT
HAS BEEN "PASSED", "WITHDRAWN", "RETURNED TO OWNER" OR "BOUGHT-IN".
  B. BEFORE BIDDING ON ANY LOT HAS REACHED ITS RESERVE PRICE NO  AUCTIO-
NEER  MAY MAKE OR PLACE CONSECUTIVE OR SUCCESSIVE BIDS, OR PLACE BIDS IN
RESPONSE TO BIDS FROM OTHERS, ON BEHALF OF  THE  CONSIGNOR,  UNLESS  THE
FACT THAT THE AUCTIONEER WILL OR MAY BID IN SUCH A MANNER IS CLEARLY AND
CONSPICUOUSLY  DISCLOSED IN ANY CATALOGUE AND ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL
PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE. FOR  THE  PURPOSES
OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH  ADVERTISEMENTS  IN  NEWSPAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS
SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL. THIS DISCLOSURE MUST ALSO BE MADE
ON SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT  THE  ENTRANCE
THERETO,  AND  MUST  BE ANNOUNCED BY THE AUCTIONEER IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO
THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY AUCTION.
  THE SIGN REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH MUST BE AT LEAST TWELVE INCHES  BY
EIGHTEEN  INCHES  IN  DIMENSION WITH LETTERS AT LEAST ONE INCH HIGH, AND
MUST READ AS FOLLOWS, OR CONVEY A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR DISCLOSURE:
  THE AUCTIONEER MAY OPEN BIDDING ON ANY LOT BY PLACING A BID ON  BEHALF
OF  THE  SELLER. THE AUCTIONEER MAY FURTHER BID ON BEHALF OF THE SELLER,
UP TO THE AMOUNT OF THE RESERVE, BY PLACING  SUCCESSIVE  OR  CONSECUTIVE
BIDS FOR A LOT, OR BY PLACING BIDS IN RESPONSE TO OTHER BIDDERS.
  C. AFTER BIDDING HAS REACHED THE RESERVE PRICE OF A LOT:
  (I)  THE  AUCTIONEER  MAY  NOT  BID  ON BEHALF OF THE CONSIGNOR OR THE
AUCTION HOUSE; AND
  (II) THE AUCTIONEER MAY ONLY ACCEPT BIDS FROM PERSONS OTHER  THAN  THE
CONSIGNOR OR THE AUCTION HOUSE EXCEPT ABSENTEE TELEPHONE, ORDER OR OTHER
AGENT'S BIDS;
  (III) THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY TO AUCTION SALES CONDUCTED PURSU-
ANT TO AN ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING AN ORDER
OF A BANKRUPTCY JUDGE OR TRUSTEE, OR A SALE OF SECURED PROPERTY PURSUANT
TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, OR THE SALE OF PROPERTY WHICH IS SUBJECT
TO A LIEN OR ASSIGNMENT PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

A. 1730--C                          5

  D.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RESERVE PRICE FOR ANY LOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM
ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE LOT AS PUBLISHED IN ANY CATALOGUE OR OTHER PRINT-
ED MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED BY THE AUCTIONEER.
  4.  A.  AN  AUCTIONEER  MAY NOT DISCLAIM WARRANTY OF TITLE OF ANY ITEM
SOLD AT AUCTION. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL  REIMBURSE  ANY  PURCHASER  IN  AN
AMOUNT  EQUAL  TO THE SUCCESSFUL BID AT AUCTION PLUS ANY BUYER'S COMMIS-
SION PAID IN THE EVENT IT IS  DETERMINED  THAT  THE  PURCHASER  HAS  NOT
ACQUIRED TRANSFERABLE TITLE TO THE ITEM.
  B.  AT  THE AUCTION SALE PREMISES ONLY EXTERIOR SIGNS MAY BE DISPLAYED
ADVERTISING THE AUCTION SALE BUT THE SAME  SHALL  NOT  BE  EXCESSIVE  IN
SIZE.
  C. AN AUCTIONEER MAY NOT:
  (I)  OFFER  MORE  THAN ONE ARTICLE FOR SALE AT ANY ONE TIME UNLESS THE
COMBINING OF ARTICLES OR LOTS IS SO INDICATED PRIOR TO THE INITIAL BID.
  (II) REPRESENT AN ARTICLE TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR  THE
OWNER UNLESS A MANUFACTURER'S OR OWNER'S GUARANTEE ACCOMPANIES THE ARTI-
CLE.
  (III)  OFFER  AN  ARTICLE  CONTAINED  IN  A  CARTON,  PACKAGE OR OTHER
CONTAINER COMMONLY KNOWN AS A BLIND ARTICLE UNLESS PRIOR TO THE OFFER IT
IS ANNOUNCED THAT THE HIGHEST BIDDER  MAY  REJECT  THE  ARTICLE  IF  NOT
SATISFACTORY  TO HIM OR HER. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT REFER TO AN AUCTION
OF ARTICLES IN BULK WHERE A SAMPLE IS DISPLAYED AND BALANCE OF  ARTICLES
ARE REPRESENTED TO CONFORM TO THE SAMPLE.
  (IV) ACCEPT AS PAYMENT OR EXCHANGE ANY ARTICLE PREVIOUSLY KNOCKED DOWN
OR SOLD TO A SUCCESSFUL BIDDER. THE ARTICLE KNOCKED DOWN OR SOLD MUST BE
DELIVERED  TO  THE  BIDDER  OR,  IF THE AUCTIONEER IS WILLING AND AT THE
BIDDER'S ELECTION, THE PURCHASE PRICE REFUNDED IN FULL. NO OTHER ARTICLE
MAY BE OFFERED TO SAID BIDDER  AS  A  SUBSTITUTE  OR  REPLACEMENT.  SUCH
REFUND  SHALL  TAKE  PLACE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR MAY BE APPLIED AS
PART PAYMENT OR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER ARTICLE PURCHASED  AT  AUCTION  BY
THE SAME BIDDER.
  5.  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION SHALL BE ENFORCED BY THE COUNTY
OFFICER CHARGED WITH ENFORCEMENT  OF  CONSUMER  PROTECTION  WITHIN  SUCH
COUNTY,  EXCEPT  THAT  IN  THE  CITY OF NEW YORK, BY THE COMMISSIONER OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF SUCH CITY.
  6. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO  AUCTIONS
HELD  AS PART OF A FUNDRAISING EVENT BY AN ENTITY CREATED FOR CHARITABLE
PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF PARAGRAPH  FOUR  OF  SUBDIVISION  (A)  OF
SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE TAX LAW WHERE THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH
FUNDRAISING EVENT BENEFIT SUCH ORGANIZATION.
  7.  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE  FOREGOING,  AND UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY
LAW, IN ANY COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND OR LESS, NO
WRITTEN CONTRACT SHALL BE REQUIRED WHERE THE REASONABLY ESTIMATED  VALUE
OF  THE  PROPERTY  TO  BE  AUCTIONED  IS  LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS.
  8. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT  BE  APPLICABLE  TO  MOTOR
VEHICLE  AUCTIONS  CONDUCTED  UNDER SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE
AND THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.
  S 3. Subdivision 3 of section  23  of  the  general  business  law  is
amended by adding a new paragraph f to read as follows:
  F.  IN THE EVENT AN AUCTIONEER, AUCTION OR AFFILIATE OFFERS FLOOR PLAN
FINANCING  OR  EXTENDS  A  LOAN  TO  A  PURCHASER,  THE AUCTIONEER SHALL
DISCLOSE IN A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  AUCTION
THAT  BIDDERS  MAY  BE  PARTICIPATING  IN THE SALE WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED
FLOOR PLAN FINANCING OR A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER, AUCTION  OR  AFFILIATE
OR WORDS THAT CONVEY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE.

A. 1730--C                          6

  S  4.  This  act  shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
have become a law.

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 1730--D
                                                        Cal. No. 157

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             January 9, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. BRODSKY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development -- reported  from  commit-
  tee,  advanced  to  a  third  reading,  amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third  reading  --  reported  from
  committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining  its  place  on  the order of third reading -- reported from
  committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third  reading  --  reported  from
  committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
  retaining its place on the order of third reading

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  general  business  law,  in relation to auction
  requirements

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  The  legislature  declares that the
following provisions of law are in addition to other provisions  of  law
and regulations applicable to auctions.
  S 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 29 to
read as follows:
  S  29.  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  AUCTIONS.  1.   THE AUCTIONEER WILL BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRUTH OF ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN  ANY  CATALOGUE,
ADVERTISEMENT,  ANNOUNCEMENT,  PRESS  RELEASE  OR OTHER PUBLIC STATEMENT
MADE BY THE AUCTIONEER RELATING TO ANY AUCTION.
  2. A. NO PERSONAL PROPERTY MAY BE AUCTIONED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO A WRIT-
TEN CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CONSIGNOR OR HIS OR  HER  AGENT  OR  AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE AND THE AUCTIONEER, UNLESS AUCTIONED PURSUANT TO AN ORDER
OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
  B. EVERY CONTRACT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION
MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD04810-19-0

              

A. 1730--D                          2

  (I)  ALL  FEES, COMMISSIONS AND CHARGES TO BE PAID BY THE CONSIGNOR TO
THE AUCTIONEER OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR
ASSIGNS SHALL:
  (1)  TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE ITEMIZED AND SPECIFIED AS TO AMOUNT
(WHICH MAY BE STATED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE RESERVE PRICE OR  ANY  FINAL
BID), AND
  (2)  IF SUCH ITEMIZATION AND SPECIFICATION AS TO AMOUNT IS NOT PRACTI-
CABLE, BE DESCRIBED WITH SUFFICIENT PARTICULARITY TO INFORM THE  CONSIG-
NOR  OF  THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES FOR WHICH SUCH FEES, COMMISSIONS AND
CHARGES WILL BE IMPOSED.
  (II) THAT AS OF THE DATE OF THE AUCTION THE CONSIGNOR WARRANTS THAT HE
OR SHE HAS COMPLETE AND LAWFUL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY
AUCTIONED, AND THAT THE CONSIGNOR SHALL INDEMNIFY THE AUCTIONEER, HIS OR
HER AGENTS, PRINCIPALS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS OR ASSIGNS IN THE EVENT  OF
ANY  DEFECT  IN TITLE, AND THAT AN INTENDED BENEFICIARY OF THIS WARRANTY
IS THE ULTIMATE PURCHASER AT AUCTION.
  C. WHERE ARTICLES ARE REFERRED TO BY  CATALOGUE  OR  ADVERTISEMENT  AS
HAVING  BEEN  OBTAINED  FROM  ANY SPECIFIC PERSON, PLACE OR SOURCE, SUCH
ARTICLES MUST BE SEPARATELY ENUMERATED AND IDENTIFIED.
  D. IF AN AUCTIONEER OR AUCTION HOUSE HAS ANY INTEREST, DIRECT OR INDI-
RECT, IN AN ARTICLE, INCLUDING A  GUARANTEED  MINIMUM,  OTHER  THAN  THE
SELLING  COMMISSION,  THE FACT SUCH INTEREST EXISTS MUST BE DISCLOSED IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTICLE OR ARTICLES IN THE  CATA-
LOGUE OR ANY OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION
TO  THE SALE. SUCH NOTICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A PROMINENT SYMBOL OR LETTER
WHICH WILL REFER THE READER TO AN  EXPLANATION  OF  THE  NATURE  OF  THE
INTEREST  THE  SYMBOL  OR  LETTER  DENOTES.  IN  ADDITION,  PRIOR TO THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE AUCTION, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ORALLY  ANNOUNCE  THAT
THOSE  LOTS  IN  WHICH  THE  AUCTIONEER  HAS AN INTEREST COVERED BY THIS
SUBDIVISION HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN THE AUCTION CATALOGUE AND THE SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE SUCH INTEREST.
  E. WHERE A CONSIGNOR IS TO RECEIVE A REBATE COMMISSION IN WHOLE OR  IN
PART,  OR  WHERE HE OR SHE WILL BE PERMITTED TO BID UPON AND TO BUY BACK
HIS OR HER OWN ARTICLE AT THE SALE, DISCLOSURE OF SUCH A CONDITION  MUST
BE  MADE  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ANY  DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM OR ITEMS SO
AFFECTED IN THE CATALOGUE OR ANY OTHER  PRINTED  MATERIAL  PUBLISHED  OR
DISTRIBUTED  IN  RELATION TO THE SALE. THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH A CONDITION
MAY BE DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER THE READER  TO  AN
EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE INTEREST THE SYMBOL OR LETTER DENOTES.
  F.  (I) IF THE CONSIGNOR HAS FIXED A PRICE BELOW WHICH AN ARTICLE WILL
NOT BE SOLD, THE "RESERVE PRICE", THE FACT THAT THE LOT  IS  BEING  SOLD
SUBJECT  TO RESERVE MUST BE DISCLOSED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESCRIPTION
OF ANY LOT SO AFFECTED IN THE CATALOGUE OR ANY  OTHER  PRINTED  MATERIAL
PUBLISHED  OR  DISTRIBUTED  IN  RELATION TO THE SALE. THE EXISTENCE OF A
RESERVE PRICE MAY BE DENOTED BY A SYMBOL OR LETTER WHICH WILL REFER  THE
READER TO AN EXPLANATION OF RESERVE PRICE. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARA-
GRAPH  AND  PARAGRAPHS  D  AND  E OF THIS SUBDIVISION, ADVERTISEMENTS IN
NEWSPAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE  PRINTED  MATERIAL.
WHERE  NO PRINTED MATERIAL IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE AUCTION AN
AUCTIONEER SHALL HAVE AVAILABLE DURING ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION  PERIOD
INFORMATION  AS  TO  WHETHER  A  PARTICULAR LOT IS TO BE SOLD SUBJECT TO
RESERVE AND SHALL ANNOUNCE BEFORE HE OR SHE COMMENCES THE  AUCTION  THAT
SUCH INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
  (II)  WHEN  A  LOT  IS  NOT SUBJECT TO A RESERVE PRICE, THE AUCTIONEER
SHALL NOT INDICATE IN ANY MANNER THAT THE LOT IS SUBJECT  TO  A  RESERVE
PRICE.

A. 1730--D                          3

  G.  IN  THE  EVENT  AN  AUCTIONEER  EXTENDS A LOAN TO A PURCHASER, THE
AUCTIONEER SHALL DISCLOSE IN A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE  COMMENCEMENT
OF  THE  AUCTION  THAT BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SALE WHO HAVE
BEEN OFFERED A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER. IN ADDITION, THIS DISCLOSURE MUST
ALSO  BE  MADE ON SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT
THE ENTRANCE THERETO. SUCH SIGNS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DISCLOSURE,
OR CONVEY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE:
  "BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SALE WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED A LOAN
BY THE AUCTIONEER."
  H. THE AUCTIONEER SHALL:
  (I) PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO THE NUMBER OF JEWELS, APPROXIMATE NUMBER
OF CARATS, NUMBER OF POINTS  (DIAMOND),  PRINCIPAL  METAL  CONTENT,  AND
MANUFACTURER'S  NAME,  IF  KNOWN, FOR ALL ARTICLES OF JEWELRY, INCLUDING
WATCHES. THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH  SHALL  BE  PROVIDED
EITHER  IN  THE  CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS OF SUCH ITEMS OR BY ATTACHING TO
EACH SUCH ITEM A TAG OR MARKING CONTAINING THE INFORMATION.
  (II) ISSUE OR CAUSE TO BE ISSUED TO EACH PURCHASER  AN  INVOICE  WHICH
SHALL CONTAIN ALL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
  (1) THE AUCTIONEER'S NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS AND LICENSE NUMBER;
  (2) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE AUCTIONEER'S EMPLOYER OR PRINCIPAL;
  (3) THE DATE OF SALE;
  (4)  THE  LOT  NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, QUANTITY AND SELLING PRICE OF EACH
LOT;
  (5) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PURCHASE WITH A SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  SALES
TAX;
  (6) ALL DEPOSITS MADE AGAINST THE PURCHASE PRICE.
  (III) ADVERTISE EACH AUCTION SALE AT LEAST ONCE IN THE SEVEN DAY PERI-
OD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE AUCTION.
  (IV)  NOTIFY  THE  PERSON  WHOSE  PROPERTY IS BEING AUCTIONED (AND ANY
OTHER PERSON ENTITLED TO BE NOTIFIED ACCORDING TO LAW) AS TO  THE  DATE,
PLACE AND TIME OF SALE.
  (V)  PERMIT (PRIOR TO THE START OF THE AUCTION) PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS
TO INSPECT EACH AND EVERY ARTICLE TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE.
  (VI) FURNISH TO ANY BUYER, CONSIGNOR OR  OWNER  OF  AN  ARTICLE,  UPON
REQUEST,  INFORMATION  AS  TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF THAT ARTICLE THAT COMES
INTO HIS OR HER POSSESSION OR THAT IS SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY HIM OR
HER.
  (VII) SEND CHECKS FOR THE NET AMOUNT RECEIVED ON ALL SALES TO  PERSONS
ENTITLED  TO  THE  PROCEEDS THEREOF WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF DATE OF SALE
(EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE AGREED IN WRITING OR  OTHERWISE  PROVIDED  BY  LAW)
TOGETHER  WITH A COMPLETE DETAILED STATEMENT INCLUDING LOT NUMBER, QUAN-
TITY, DESCRIPTION AND SELLING PRICE OF EACH LOT; TOTAL  AMOUNT  RECEIVED
ON  SALE;  AND  DISBURSEMENTS LISTING COMMISSION, COST OF ADVERTISEMENT,
LABOR, CHARGES AND ALLOWANCES, AND SUNDRY EXPENSES.
  (VIII) WHEN AN AUCTIONEER HAS A NUMBER OF THE SAME KIND OF ARTICLES TO
BE SOLD AND INTENDS TO DISPOSE OF EACH OF THEM AT THE  AMOUNT  AT  WHICH
THE  FIRST  IS SOLD, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THAT EFFECT
PRIOR TO OPENING THE SALE OF THE FIRST ARTICLE.
  I. IF AN AUCTIONEER MAKES LOANS OR ADVANCES  MONEY  TO  CONSIGNORS  OR
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS, THIS FACT MUST BE CONSPICUOUSLY DISCLOSED IN THE
AUCTIONEER'S  CATALOGUE  OR PRINTED MATERIAL. IF THE AUCTIONEER DOES NOT
PROVIDE ANY SUCH PRINTED MATERIAL, HE OR SHE SHALL MAKE THE  DISCLOSURE,
EITHER BY CONSPICUOUSLY POSTING A SIGN, OR IN ANOTHER SIMILARLY CONSPIC-
UOUS  MANNER,  AT THE TIME OF ANY ADVERTISED INSPECTION PERIODS PRIOR TO
THE AUCTIONS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS IN  NEWS-
PAPERS OR OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL.

A. 1730--D                          4

  J.  EXCEPT  TO  IMPLEMENT A RESERVE PRICE, AND SUBJECT TO THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF PARAGRAPH B OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS  SECTION,  NO  AUCTIO-
NEER,  HIS  OR  HER CONSIGNOR, EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER, ASSIGNEE OR AGENT FOR
ANY OF THEM MAY BID FOR HIS OR HER OWN ACCOUNT AT ANY AUCTION IF ANY  OF
THEM  SHALL  HAVE  ACCESS  TO INFORMATION NOT OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO THE
PUBLIC REGARDING RESERVES, VALUE OR OTHER MATERIAL FACTS RELATING TO THE
ARTICLES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE AUCTION, UNLESS THEIR STATUS AS  A
PERSON  WITH  INSIDE INFORMATION AND INTENDED PARTICIPATION IS DISCLOSED
IN THE AUCTIONEER'S CATALOGUE AND ANY  PRINTED  MATERIAL  AND  ON  SIGNS
POSTED AT THE AUCTION.
  K.  WHEREVER  AN  ESTIMATE  OR  ESTIMATED  VALUE  OF AN ITEM OR LOT IS
PUBLISHED IN A CATALOGUE OR ANY  OTHER  PRINTED  MATERIAL  PUBLISHED  OR
DISTRIBUTED IN RELATION TO AN AUCTION SALE, A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
ESTIMATE  AND  ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE INCLUDED IN SUCH PRINTED
MATERIAL. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, ADVERTISEMENTS  IN  NEWSPA-
PERS  OR  OTHER PERIODICALS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL. WHERE
NO PRINTED MATERIAL IS PROVIDED, AND AN ESTIMATE OR ESTIMATED  VALUE  IS
ANNOUNCED  OR  DISSEMINATED  IN ANY MANNER, A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
ESTIMATE AND ITS MEANING AND FUNCTION MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION
AND ITS AVAILABILITY MUST  BE  ANNOUNCED  AT  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE
AUCTION.
  L.  IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT INDICATING AN AUCTION SALE DUE TO A BUSINESS'
LOSS OF LEASE OR LIQUIDATION, THE AUCTIONEER MUST INCLUDE  THE  NAME  OF
THE  CONSIGNOR  OR  BUSINESS AUTHORIZING THE AUCTION. IN ANY SALE ADVER-
TISED AS PURSUANT TO A SECURITY AGREEMENT, THE NAME OF THE DEBTOR  SHALL
BE INDICATED CONSPICUOUSLY.
  3.  A.  IF THE RESERVE PRICE IS NOT BID, THE AUCTIONEER MAY WITHDRAW A
LOT FROM SALE. AT THE TIME OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL,  AND  BEFORE  BIDDING  ON
ANOTHER LOT BEGINS, THE AUCTIONEER SHALL ANNOUNCE THAT THE WITHDRAWN LOT
HAS BEEN "PASSED", "WITHDRAWN", "RETURNED TO OWNER" OR "BOUGHT-IN".
  B.  BEFORE BIDDING ON ANY LOT HAS REACHED ITS RESERVE PRICE NO AUCTIO-
NEER MAY MAKE OR PLACE CONSECUTIVE OR SUCCESSIVE BIDS, OR PLACE BIDS  IN
RESPONSE  TO  BIDS  FROM  OTHERS, ON BEHALF OF THE CONSIGNOR, UNLESS THE
FACT THAT THE AUCTIONEER WILL OR MAY BID IN SUCH A MANNER IS CLEARLY AND
CONSPICUOUSLY DISCLOSED IN ANY CATALOGUE AND ANY OTHER PRINTED  MATERIAL
PUBLISHED  OR  DISTRIBUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE. FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THIS PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS  IN  NEWSPAPERS  OR  OTHER  PERIODICALS
SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PRINTED MATERIAL. THIS DISCLOSURE MUST ALSO BE MADE
ON  SIGNS  PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE AUCTION ROOM AND AT THE ENTRANCE
THERETO, AND MUST BE ANNOUNCED BY THE AUCTIONEER  IMMEDIATELY  PRIOR  TO
THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY AUCTION.
  THE  SIGN REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH MUST BE AT LEAST TWELVE INCHES BY
EIGHTEEN INCHES IN DIMENSION WITH LETTERS AT LEAST ONE  INCH  HIGH,  AND
MUST READ AS FOLLOWS, OR CONVEY A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR DISCLOSURE:
  THE  AUCTIONEER MAY OPEN BIDDING ON ANY LOT BY PLACING A BID ON BEHALF
OF THE SELLER. THE AUCTIONEER MAY FURTHER BID ON BEHALF OF  THE  SELLER,
UP  TO  THE  AMOUNT OF THE RESERVE, BY PLACING SUCCESSIVE OR CONSECUTIVE
BIDS FOR A LOT, OR BY PLACING BIDS IN RESPONSE TO OTHER BIDDERS.
  C. AFTER BIDDING HAS REACHED THE RESERVE PRICE OF A LOT:
  (I) THE AUCTIONEER MAY NOT BID ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  CONSIGNOR  OR  THE
AUCTION HOUSE; AND
  (II)  THE  AUCTIONEER MAY ONLY ACCEPT BIDS FROM PERSONS OTHER THAN THE
CONSIGNOR OR THE AUCTION HOUSE EXCEPT ABSENTEE TELEPHONE, ORDER OR OTHER
AGENT'S BIDS;
  (III) THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY TO AUCTION SALES CONDUCTED PURSU-
ANT TO AN ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING AN ORDER

A. 1730--D                          5

OF A BANKRUPTCY JUDGE OR TRUSTEE, OR A SALE OF SECURED PROPERTY PURSUANT
TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, OR THE SALE OF PROPERTY WHICH IS SUBJECT
TO A LIEN OR ASSIGNMENT PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
  D.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RESERVE PRICE FOR ANY LOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM
ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE LOT AS PUBLISHED IN ANY CATALOGUE OR OTHER PRINT-
ED MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED BY THE AUCTIONEER.
  4. A. AN AUCTIONEER MAY NOT DISCLAIM WARRANTY OF  TITLE  OF  ANY  ITEM
SOLD  AT  AUCTION.  THE  AUCTIONEER  SHALL REIMBURSE ANY PURCHASER IN AN
AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL BID AT AUCTION PLUS ANY  BUYER'S  COMMIS-
SION  PAID  IN  THE  EVENT  IT  IS DETERMINED THAT THE PURCHASER HAS NOT
ACQUIRED TRANSFERABLE TITLE TO THE ITEM.
  B. AT THE AUCTION SALE PREMISES ONLY EXTERIOR SIGNS MAY  BE  DISPLAYED
ADVERTISING  THE  AUCTION  SALE  BUT  THE SAME SHALL NOT BE EXCESSIVE IN
SIZE.
  C. AN AUCTIONEER MAY NOT:
  (I) OFFER MORE THAN ONE ARTICLE FOR SALE AT ANY ONE  TIME  UNLESS  THE
COMBINING OF ARTICLES OR LOTS IS SO INDICATED PRIOR TO THE INITIAL BID.
  (II)  REPRESENT AN ARTICLE TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR THE
OWNER UNLESS A MANUFACTURER'S OR OWNER'S GUARANTEE ACCOMPANIES THE ARTI-
CLE.
  (III) OFFER AN  ARTICLE  CONTAINED  IN  A  CARTON,  PACKAGE  OR  OTHER
CONTAINER COMMONLY KNOWN AS A BLIND ARTICLE UNLESS PRIOR TO THE OFFER IT
IS  ANNOUNCED  THAT  THE  HIGHEST  BIDDER  MAY REJECT THE ARTICLE IF NOT
SATISFACTORY TO HIM OR HER. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT REFER TO AN  AUCTION
OF  ARTICLES IN BULK WHERE A SAMPLE IS DISPLAYED AND BALANCE OF ARTICLES
ARE REPRESENTED TO CONFORM TO THE SAMPLE.
  (IV) ACCEPT AS PAYMENT OR EXCHANGE ANY ARTICLE PREVIOUSLY KNOCKED DOWN
OR SOLD TO A SUCCESSFUL BIDDER. THE ARTICLE KNOCKED DOWN OR SOLD MUST BE
DELIVERED TO THE BIDDER OR, IF THE AUCTIONEER  IS  WILLING  AND  AT  THE
BIDDER'S ELECTION, THE PURCHASE PRICE REFUNDED IN FULL. NO OTHER ARTICLE
MAY  BE  OFFERED  TO  SAID  BIDDER  AS A SUBSTITUTE OR REPLACEMENT. SUCH
REFUND SHALL TAKE PLACE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR MAY  BE  APPLIED  AS
PART  PAYMENT  OR  PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER ARTICLE PURCHASED AT AUCTION BY
THE SAME BIDDER.
  5. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL  BE  ENFORCED  BY  THE  COUNTY
OFFICER  CHARGED  WITH  ENFORCEMENT  OF  CONSUMER PROTECTION WITHIN SUCH
COUNTY, EXCEPT THAT IN THE CITY OF NEW  YORK,  BY  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF SUCH CITY.
  6.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO AUCTIONS
HELD AS PART OF A FUNDRAISING EVENT BY AN ENTITY CREATED FOR  CHARITABLE
PURPOSES  WITHIN  THE  MEANING  OF  PARAGRAPH FOUR OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF
SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE TAX LAW WHERE THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH
FUNDRAISING EVENT BENEFIT SUCH ORGANIZATION.
  7. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, AND  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  REQUIRED  BY
LAW, IN ANY COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND OR LESS, NO
WRITTEN  CONTRACT SHALL BE REQUIRED WHERE THE REASONABLY ESTIMATED VALUE
OF THE PROPERTY TO BE  AUCTIONED  IS  LESS  THAN  ONE  HUNDRED  THOUSAND
DOLLARS.
  8. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO:
  A. MOTOR VEHICLE AUCTIONS CONDUCTED UNDER SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THIS
ARTICLE AND THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW;
  B. AUCTIONS OF POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK;
  C. AUCTIONS OF FARM SUPPLIES, FARM EQUIPMENT, AND FARM REAL-ESTATE; OR
  D.  AUCTION  SALES CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO AN ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPE-
TENT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING AN ORDER OF A BANKRUPTCY JUDGE OR  TRUSTEE,
OR  A  SALE OF SECURED PROPERTY PURSUANT TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE,

A. 1730--D                          6

OR THE SALE OF PROPERTY WHICH IS SUBJECT TO A LIEN OR ASSIGNMENT  PURSU-
ANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
  E.  THE  PROVISIONS  OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, SUBPARAGRAPHS
(I) AND (II) OF PARAGRAPH F OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS  SECTION  AND  OF
PARAGRAPH  A  OF  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO
AUCTIONS OF THOROUGHBRED HORSES,  PROVIDED  THAT  THE  RESULTS  OF  SUCH
AUCTION, INCLUDING WHETHER OR NOT A RESERVE PRICE WAS MET, ARE PUBLISHED
WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS.
  S  3.  Subdivision  3  of  section  23  of the general business law is
amended by adding a new paragraph f to read as follows:
  F.  IN THE EVENT AN AUCTIONEER, AUCTION OR AFFILIATE OFFERS FLOOR PLAN
FINANCING OR EXTENDS  A  LOAN  TO  A  PURCHASER,  THE  AUCTIONEER  SHALL
DISCLOSE  IN  A  GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE AUCTION
THAT BIDDERS MAY BE PARTICIPATING IN THE  SALE  WHO  HAVE  BEEN  OFFERED
FLOOR  PLAN  FINANCING OR A LOAN BY THE AUCTIONEER, AUCTION OR AFFILIATE
OR WORDS THAT CONVEY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE.
  S 4. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth  day  after  it  shall
have become a law.