Committee approves trimmed bill giving auto trade association standing instead of private lawsuits
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Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to SB 102 that removes private causes of action and treble damages and instead grants trade associations like the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association standing to sue on behalf of dealers; the committee reported the bill as amended without objection.
Senate Bill 102, carried by Senator McMath for Senator Presley, was amended and reported favorably after proponents said the change narrows the bill to association standing for dealer disputes with manufacturers.
Colter McMahon, president of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, told the committee the amendment removes private rights of action, treble damages and licensing provisions from the prefiled bill and instead allows a trade association to "stand in the shoes of the dealer body" to assert violations of Louisiana law on dealers' behalf. He said stakeholders including manufacturers and industry groups negotiated the revised approach.
Senators asked several procedural and scope questions. The committee adopted amendment set 1412 and, on a motion by Senator Carter, reported SB 102 as amended without objection.
Next steps: SB 102 was reported favorably by the committee and will proceed in the legislative process.
