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Committee backs bill to extend motor‑vehicle dealer protections to RV dealers and clarify off‑site sales
Summary
The committee unanimously passed SB 341 to add recreational vehicle dealers to the motor‑vehicle dealer statutes and to clarify off‑premise sales rules; proponents said the change brings RV dealers parity with car, boat and powersport dealers and that DOJ reviewed the draft without objection.
Senator Barry Usher told the committee Senate Bill 341 would add recreational vehicle dealers to the motor‑vehicle dealer law and clarify where off‑premise (off‑lot) displays and sales can occur.
Brandon Bretz, a Montana RV dealer, described business practices that the bill would protect, saying the change "levels the playing field and ensures that RV dealers ... are no longer at a disadvantage." He and other proponents told the committee the bill would provide protections around warranty and recall compensation, inventory allocation transparency, and protections against manufacturer‑imposed facility upgrades or forced vendor tools.
Industry witnesses said they developed the bill with input from the Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division. Eric Hinkle, general counsel for Brett's RV and Marine, said the bill "proposes to simply include recreational vehicles within the definition of motor vehicle under Title 61 chapter 4 part 2 of the Montana code," and called the change straightforward. Stewart Doggett (Montana Manufactured Housing and RV Association) and Bruce Knudson (Montana Auto Dealers Association) also urged passage.
Committee members pressed witnesses on whether the change affects registration (county treasurers were not directly consulted) and whether including towed RVs within the "motor vehicle" definition could create unintended consequences; witnesses said DOJ/MVD reviewed the language and reported no problems, and that the statutory change targets new‑vehicle dealerships. The sponsor closed by saying the goal is parity with other dealers and to preserve protections for local businesses.
During executive action the committee moved and approved SB 341 by voice vote with proxy votes recorded; Representative Darling volunteered to carry the bill on the House floor.
