EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0968*
SENATE BILL 968
R4 4lr2756
CF 4lr3282
By: Senator Waldstreicher
Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2024
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
A BILL ENTITLED
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
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 22
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 23
Article – Transportation 24
15–201. 25 2 SENATE BILL 968
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(A–1) “DEALER ASSOCIATION” MEANS A BUSINESS ENTITY TH AT: 2
(1) IS PRIMARILY OWNED BY OR COMPOSED OF DEALERS ; AND 3
(2) PRIMARILY REPRESENTS THE INTER ESTS OF DEALERS . 4
15–213. 5
Notwithstanding any administrative or criminal sanctions imposed by this subtitle, 6
if a person suffers financial injury or other damage as a result of a violation of this subtitle 7
by any other person, whether or not that other person has been found guilty of a criminal 8
violation, the injured person, OR A DEALER ASSOCIATION ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, A 9
DEALER, OR A GROUP OF DEALERS , may recover damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees 10
in any court of competent jurisdiction. 11
15–214. 12
In addition to any other right to request a hearing under this subtitle and 13
notwithstanding any provisions of the franchise agreement to the contrary, a dealer, 14
designated dealer successor as provided in § 15–211.1 of this subtitle, DEALER 15
ASSOCIATION ON BEHAL F OF ITSELF, A DEALER, OR A GROUP OF DEALER S, 16
manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch may request a hearing under Title 12, Subtitle 17
2 of this article to: 18
(1) Resolve a dispute under any provision of this title between a dealer [or], 19
a designated dealer successor, OR A DEALER ASSOCIAT ION and a manufacturer, 20
distributor, or factory branch; or 21
(2) Seek clarification or interpretation of any provision of this subtitle. 22
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 23
October 1, 2024. 24