EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb1275*
HOUSE BILL 1275
R4 4lr3282
CF SB 968
By: Delegate Amprey
Introduced and read first time: February 8, 2024
Assigned to: Economic Matters
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 3, 2024
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – Manufacturers and Dealers – Standing of Dealer Associations 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing a vehicle dealer association, on behalf of itself, a vehicle 3
dealer, or a group of vehicle dealers, to bring suit to recover damages and reasonable 4
attorneys’ fees or to request an administrative hearing on certain matters; and 5
generally relating to standing for vehicle dealer associations. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – Transportation 8
Section 15–201(a) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 11
BY adding to 12
Article – Transportation 13
Section 15–201(a–1) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 16
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
Article – Transportation 18
Section 15–213 and 15–214 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 21
2 HOUSE BILL 1275
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
Article – Transportation 3
15–201. 4
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 5
(A–1) “DEALER ASSOCIATION ” MEANS A BUSINESS ENT ITY THAT: 6
(1) IS PRIMARILY OWNED BY OR COMPOSED OF DEALERS A MAJORITY 7
OF THE FRANCHISED MO TOR VEHICLE DEALERS IN THE STATE; AND 8
(2) PRIMARILY REPRESENTS THE INTERESTS OF DEA LERS. 9
15–213. 10
Notwithstanding any administrative or criminal sanctions imposed by this subtitle, 11
if a person suffers financial injury or other damage as a result of a violation of this subtitle 12
by any other person, whether or not that other person has been found guilty of a criminal 13
violation, the injured person, OR A DEALER ASSOCIAT ION ON BEHALF OF ITS ELF, A 14
DEALER, OR A GROUP OF DEALER S, may recover damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees 15
in any court of competent jurisdiction. 16
15–214. 17
In addition to any other right to request a hearing under this subtitle and 18
notwithstanding any provisions of the franchise agreement to the contrary, a dealer, 19
designated dealer successor as provided in § 15–211.1 of this subtitle, DEALER 20
ASSOCIATION ON BEHAL F OF ITSELF, A DEALER, OR A GROUP OF DEALERS , 21
manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch may request a hearing under Title 12, Subtitle 22
2 of this article to: 23
(1) Resolve a dispute under any provision of this title between a dealer [or], 24
a designated dealer successor, OR A DEALE R ASSOCIATION and a manufacturer, 25
distributor, or factory branch; or 26
(2) Seek clarification or interpretation of any provision of this subtitle. 27
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 28
October 1, 2024. 29