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Senate adopts dealer-franchise amendments after sponsor agrees changes with dealers and manufacturers
Summary
The Senate adopted amendments to Senate Bill 51 and its duplicate SB 134 to add notice and hearing protections and adjust attorney-fee language in new motor-vehicle and power-sports franchise statutes, and both bills advanced on recorded votes.
Senators voted to amend and advance legislation that updates motor-vehicle franchise law for dealers and manufacturers.
Senator Eastman, the floor sponsor, described SB 51 as a department bill developed in consultation with dealers and manufacturers and said the changes bring the executive director into the franchise advisory board’s complaint/hearing process. He proposed Amendment 2 to protect franchisees from contract language that would relieve a franchisor of notice and hearing rights, and Amendment 3 to adjust the attorney‑fee language (removing a phrase about ‘‘subject to final approval of the court’’).
Eastman said the changes were the result of discussions with dealers and manufacturers and that the amendments had unanimous support in committee. The Senate adopted amendments 2 and 3; the roll-call tally showed SB 51 received 28 yes votes (0 nays, 1 absent) for third-reading consideration.
Senator Eastman explained SB 134 as a duplicate bill covering the Power Sport Vehicle Franchise Act and offered a similar amendment. The Senate recorded SB 134 as receiving votes in favor (27 yes on the roll-call announced on floor). Both measures were advanced for final reading on the calendar.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 491; topfinish SEG 667
