AB 759: Recreational vehicles.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2015-10-01
(1)Existing law establishes a New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates the activities or practices of a new motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, as specified. Existing law regulates the terms and enforcement of recreational vehicle franchise agreements. Existing law requires a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership within a relevant market area where the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, or seeking to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, to notify the board of that intention. Existing law allows franchisees in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area to file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership.
This bill would revise these provisions and would clarify that the above provisions apply to a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeking to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area within which the same recreation vehicle line-make is represented.
(2)Existing law generally requires a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Existing law allows the department to suspend or revoke a license issued to a dealer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued has willfully violated specified requirements imposed on new motor vehicle franchisors relating to providing specified information and compensation to franchisees.
This bill would make the above provisions applicable to a recreational vehicle franchisor.
(3)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for the holder of a dealers license to, among other things, advertise or sell a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. Under existing law, this prohibition does not apply to a recreational vehicle, as defined.
This bill would make the above prohibitions applicable to recreational vehicles. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for a licensed manufacturer or distributor to modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of specified provisions of law.
This bill would make this prohibition subject to additional provisions of law relating to recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5)Existing law prohibits a recreational vehicle manufacturer or distributor from selling a new recreational vehicle through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise.
This bill would, following the termination, cancellation, or non-renewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, allow the sale of any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer or distributor, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect.
(6)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3050.7 and 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code made by this bill and AB 1178 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
(7)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(1)Existing law establishes a New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates the activities or practices of a new motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, as specified. Existing law regulates the terms and enforcement of recreational vehicle franchise agreements. Existing law requires a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership within a relevant market area where the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, or seeking to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, to notify the board of that intention. Existing law allows franchisees in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area to file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership.
This bill would revise these provisions and would clarify that the above provisions apply to a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeking to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area within which the same recreation vehicle line-make is represented.
(2)Existing law generally requires a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Existing law allows the department to suspend or revoke a license issued to a dealer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued has willfully violated specified requirements imposed on new motor vehicle franchisors relating to providing specified information and compensation to franchisees.
This bill would make the above provisions applicable to a recreational vehicle franchisor.
(3)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for the holder of a dealers license to, among other things, advertise or sell a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. Under existing law, this prohibition does not apply to a recreational vehicle, as defined.
This bill would make the above prohibitions applicable to recreational vehicles. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for a licensed manufacturer or distributor to modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of specified provisions of law.
This bill would make this prohibition subject to additional provisions of law relating to recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5)Existing law prohibits a recreational vehicle manufacturer or distributor from selling a new recreational vehicle through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise.
This bill would, following the termination, cancellation, or non-renewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, allow the sale of any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer or distributor, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect.
(6)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3050.7 and 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code made by this bill and AB 1178 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
(7)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(1)Existing law establishes a New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates the activities or practices of a new motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, as specified. Existing law regulates the terms and enforcement of recreational vehicle franchise agreements. Existing law requires a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership within a relevant market area where the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, or seeking to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, to notify the board of that intention. Existing law allows franchisees in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area to file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership.
This bill would revise these provisions and would clarify that the above provisions apply to a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeking to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area within which the same recreation vehicle line-make is represented.
(2)Existing law generally requires a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Existing law allows the department to suspend or revoke a license issued to a dealer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued has willfully violated specified requirements imposed on new motor vehicle franchisors relating to providing specified information and compensation to franchisees.
This bill would make the above provisions applicable to a recreational vehicle franchisor.
(3)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for the holder of a dealers license to, among other things, advertise or sell a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. Under existing law, this prohibition does not apply to a recreational vehicle, as defined.
This bill would make the above prohibitions applicable to recreational vehicles. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for a licensed manufacturer or distributor to modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of specified provisions of law.
This bill would make this prohibition subject to additional provisions of law relating to recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5)Existing law prohibits a recreational vehicle manufacturer or distributor from selling a new recreational vehicle through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise.
This bill would, following the termination, cancellation, or non-renewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, allow the sale of any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer or distributor, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect.
(6)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3050.7 and 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code made by this bill and AB 1178 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
(6)
(7)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(1)Existing law establishes a New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates the activities or practices of a new motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, as specified. Existing law regulates the terms and enforcement of recreational vehicle franchise agreements. Existing law requires a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership within a relevant market area where the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, or seeking to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, to notify the board of that intention. Existing law allows franchisees in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area to file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership.
This bill would revise these provisions and would clarify that the above provisions apply to a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeking to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area within which the same recreation vehicle line-make is represented.
(2)Existing law generally requires a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Existing law allows the department to suspend or revoke a license issued to a dealer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued has willfully violated specified requirements imposed on new motor vehicle franchisors relating to providing specified information and compensation to franchisees.
This bill would make the above provisions applicable to a recreational vehicle franchisor.
(3)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for the holder of a dealers license to, among other things, advertise or sell a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. Under existing law, this prohibition does not apply to a recreational vehicle, as defined.
This bill would make the above prohibitions applicable to recreational vehicles. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for a licensed manufacturer or distributor to modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of specified provisions of law.
This bill would make this prohibition subject to additional provisions of law relating to recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5)Existing law prohibits a recreational vehicle manufacturer or distributor from selling a new recreational vehicle through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise.
This bill would, following the termination, cancellation, or non-renewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, allow the sale of any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer or distributor, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(1)Existing law establishes a New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates the activities or practices of a new motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, as specified. Existing law regulates the terms and enforcement of recreational vehicle franchise agreements. Existing law requires a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership within a relevant market area where the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, or seeking to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, to notify the board of that intention. Existing law allows franchisees in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area to file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership.
This bill would revise these provisions and would clarify that the above provisions apply to a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeking to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area within which the same recreation vehicle line-make is represented.
(2)Existing law generally requires a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Existing law allows the department to suspend or revoke a license issued to a dealer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued has willfully violated specified requirements imposed on new motor vehicle franchisors relating to providing specified information and compensation to franchisees.
This bill would make the above provisions applicable to a recreational vehicle franchisor.
(3)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for the holder of a dealers license to, among other things, advertise or sell a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. Under existing law, this prohibition does not apply to a recreational vehicle, as defined.
This bill would make the above prohibitions applicable to recreational vehicles. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for a licensed manufacturer or distributor to modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of specified provisions of law.
This bill would make this prohibition subject to additional provisions of law relating to recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5)Existing law prohibits a recreational vehicle manufacturer or distributor from selling a new recreational vehicle through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise.
This bill would, following the termination, cancellation, or non-renewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, allow the sale of any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer or distributor, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(1)Existing law establishes a New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates the activities or practices of a new motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, as specified. Existing law regulates the terms and enforcement of recreational vehicle franchise agreements. Existing law requires a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership within a relevant market area where the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, or seeking to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, to notify the board of that intention. Existing law allows franchisees in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area to file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership.
This bill would revise these provisions and would clarify that the above provisions apply to a franchisor seeking to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeking to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area within which the same recreation vehicle line-make is represented.
(2)Existing law generally requires a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Existing law allows the department to suspend or revoke a license issued to a dealer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued has willfully violated specified requirements imposed on new motor vehicle franchisors relating to providing specified information and compensation to franchisees.
This bill would make the above provisions applicable to a recreational vehicle franchisor.
(3)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for the holder of a dealers license to, among other things, advertise or sell a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. Under existing law, this prohibition does not apply to a recreational vehicle, as defined.
This bill would make the above prohibitions applicable to recreational vehicles. By increasing the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law makes it a violation, punishable as an infraction, for a licensed manufacturer or distributor to modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of specified provisions of law.
This bill would make this prohibition subject to additional provisions of law relating to recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5)Existing law prohibits a recreational vehicle manufacturer or distributor from selling a new recreational vehicle through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise.
This bill would, following the termination, cancellation, or non-renewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, allow the sale of any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer or distributor, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, for the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power or authority of the board, except that three members of the board, who are not new motor vehicle dealers, shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) and the consideration of a petition pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3050 that involves a dispute between a franchisee and franchisor.
SEC. 2.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
SEC. 2.1.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066, 3080, or 3085.2 to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
(c)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.5.Section 3050.7 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
SEC. 3.Section 3066 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3066.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the board shall fix a time within 60 days of the order, and place of hearing, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. Except in a case involving a franchisee who deals exclusively in motorcycles, the board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3062 the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing motor vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3065 or 3065.1.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 4.Section 3067 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3067.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 5.Section 3068 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3068.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 6.Section 3070 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3070.(a)Notwithstanding Section 20999.1 of the Business and Professions Code or the terms of any franchise, a franchisor of a dealer of new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, except a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers, may not terminate or refuse to continue a franchise unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1)The franchisee and the board have received written notice from the franchisor as follows:
(A)Sixty days before the effective date thereof setting forth the specific grounds for termination or refusal to continue.
(B)Fifteen days before the effective date thereof setting forth the specific grounds with respect to any of the following:
(i)Transfer of any ownership or interest in the franchise without the consent of the franchisor, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
(ii)Misrepresentation by the franchisee in applying for the franchise.
(iii)Insolvency of the franchisee, or filing of any petition by or against the franchisee under any bankruptcy or receivership law.
(iv)Any unfair business practice after written warning thereof.
(v)Failure of the dealer to conduct its customary sales and service operations during its customary hours of business for seven consecutive business days, giving rise to a good faith belief on the part of the franchisor that the recreational vehicle dealer is in fact going out of business, except for circumstances beyond the direct control of the recreational vehicle dealer or by order of the department.
(C)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, one of the following statements, whichever is applicable:
(i)To be inserted when a 60-day notice of termination is given:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the termination of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 30 calendar days after receiving this notice or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest right will be waived.
(ii)To be inserted when a 15-day notice of termination is given:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the termination of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 10 calendar days after receiving this notice or within 10 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest right will be waived.
(2)Except as provided in Section 3050.7, the board finds that there is good cause for termination or refusal to continue, following a hearing called pursuant to Section 3080. The franchisee may file a protest with the board within 30 days after receiving a 60-day notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, or within 10 days after receiving a 15-day notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 10 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor. When a protest is filed, the board shall advise the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor may not terminate or refuse to continue until the board makes its findings.
(3)The franchisor has received the written consent of the franchisee, or the appropriate period for filing a protest has elapsed.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 20999.1 of the Business and Professions Code or the terms of any franchise, a franchisor of a dealer of recreational vehicles may not modify or replace a franchise with a succeeding franchise if the modification or replacement would substantially affect the franchisees sales or service obligations or investment, unless the franchisor has first given the board and each affected franchisee written notice thereof at least 60 days in advance of the modification or replacement. Within 30 days of receipt of a notice satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, a franchisee may file a protest with the board and the modification or replacement does not become effective until there is a finding by the board that there is good cause for the modification or replacement. If, however, a replacement franchise is the successor franchise to an expiring or expired term franchise, the prior franchise shall continue in effect until resolution of the protest by the board. In the event of multiple protests, hearings shall be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: Your franchise agreement is being modified or replaced. If the modification or replacement will substantially affect your sales or service obligations or investment, you have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the proposed modification or replacement of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 30 calendar days of your receipt of this notice or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest rights will be waived.
SEC. 7.Section 3072 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.(a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), if a franchisor seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeks to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area in which the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, the franchisor shall, in writing, first notify the board and each franchisee in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area of the franchisors intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership. Within 20 days of receiving the notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, any franchisee required to be given the notice may file with the board a protest to the proposed dealership establishment or relocation described in the franchisors notice. If, within this time, a franchisee files with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant an additional 10 days to file the protest. When a protest is filed, the board shall inform the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor shall not establish the proposed dealership or relocate the existing dealership until the board has held a hearing as provided in Section 3080, nor thereafter, if the board has determined that there is good cause for not permitting the establishment of the proposed recreational vehicle dealership or relocation of the existing recreational vehicle dealership. In the event of multiple protests, hearings may be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing on your protest under the terms of the California Vehicle Code if you oppose this action. You must file your protest with the board within 20 days of your receipt of this notice, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure that is provided by us to you. If, within this time, you file with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant you an additional 10 days to file the protest.
(b)Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1)The relocation of an existing dealership to any location that is both within the same city as, and within one mile of, the existing dealership location.
(2)The establishment at any location that is both within the same city as, and within one-quarter mile of, the location of a dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make that has been out of operation for less than 90 days.
(3)A display of vehicles at a fair, exposition, or similar exhibit if no actual sales are made at the event and the display does not exceed 30 days. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a new vehicle dealer from establishing a branch office for the purpose of selling vehicles at the fair, exposition, or similar exhibit, even though that event is sponsored by a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, or by a financial institution and a licensed dealer. The establishment of these branch offices, however, shall be in accordance with subdivision (a) where applicable.
(4)An annual show sponsored by a national trade association of recreational vehicle manufacturers that complies with all of the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 11713.15.
(c)For the purposes of this section, the reopening of a dealership that has not been in operation for one year or more shall be deemed the establishment of an additional recreational vehicle dealership.
(d)For the purposes of this section and Section 3073, a recreational vehicle dealership or dealership is any authorized facility at which a franchisee offers for sale or lease, displays for sale or lease, or sells or leases new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code. A recreational vehicle dealership or dealership does not include a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 8.Section 3072.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.5.For the purposes of this article, a recreational vehicle line-make is a group or groups of recreational vehicles defined by the terms of a written agreement that complies with Section 331.3.
SEC. 9.Section 3073 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3073.In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into a recreational vehicle franchise or relocating an existing dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make, the board shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a)The permanency of the investment.
(b)The effect on the retail recreational vehicle business and the consuming public in the relevant market area.
(c)Whether it is injurious to the public welfare for an additional recreational vehicle franchise to be established or an existing dealership be relocated.
(d)Whether the franchisees of the same recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the recreational vehicle line-make in the market area. In making this determination, the board shall consider the adequacy of recreational vehicle sales and, if required by the franchise, service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel.
(e)Whether the establishment of an additional franchise would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.
SEC. 10.Section 3074 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3074.(a)A franchisor shall specify to its franchisees the delivery and preparation obligations of the franchisees prior to delivery of new recreational vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations, which shall constitute the franchisees only responsibility for product liability between the franchisee and the franchisor but which shall not in any way affect the franchisees responsibility for product liability between the purchaser and either the franchisee or the franchisor, and a schedule of compensation to be paid franchisees for the work and services they shall be required to perform in connection with the delivery and preparation obligations shall be filed with the board by franchisors, and shall constitute the compensation as set forth on the schedule. The schedule of compensation shall be reasonable, with the reasonableness thereof being subject to the approval of the board, if a franchisee files a notice of protest with the board. In determining the reasonableness of the schedules, the board shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the time required to perform each function that the dealer is obligated to perform and the appropriate labor rate.
(b)Upon delivery of the vehicle, the franchisee shall give a copy of the delivery and preparation obligations to the purchaser and a written certification that the franchisee has fulfilled these obligations.
SEC. 11.Section 3078 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3078.(a)If the board receives a complaint from a member of the public seeking a refund involving the sale or lease of, or a replacement of, a recreational vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, from a recreational vehicle dealership, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3072, the board shall recommend that the complainant consult with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b)This chapter does not affect a persons rights regarding a transaction involving a recreational vehicle as defined in subdivision (a), to maintain an action under any other statute, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Title 1.7 (commencing with Section 1790) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 12.Section 3079 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3079.This article applies only to a recreational vehicle franchise entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 13.Section 3080 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3080.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076, the board shall fix a time and place of hearing within 60 days of the order, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. The board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3070 or 3072, the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership or relocating an existing recreational vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3074, 3075, or 3076, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3075 or 3076.
SEC. 14.Section 3081 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3081.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 15.Section 3082 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3082.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 16.Section 11705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11705.(a)The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a dealer, transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following:
(1)Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact, in the application for the license.
(2)Made, or knowingly or negligently permitted, an illegal use of the special plates issued to the licensee.
(3)Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made a false statement, or knowingly concealed a material fact, in an application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application.
(4)Failed to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership.
(5)Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle.
(6)Failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between the type of business licensed pursuant to this chapter and any other type of business conducted at the established place of business.
(7)Willfully violated Section 3064, 3065, 3074, or 3075 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(8)Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or subdivision (a) of Section 38200.
(9)Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(10)Violated any provision of Article 1 (commencing with Section 11700) of Chapter 4 of Division 5 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(11)Violated any provision of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(12)Violated any provision of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(13)Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was dishonored or refused payment upon presentation.
(14)Has caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on that person or fraudulent representations made to that person in the course of the licensed activity.
For purposes of this paragraph, fraud includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either actual fraud or constructive fraud as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and deceit has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, fraud and deceit include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code.
For purposes of this paragraph, person also includes a governmental entity.
(15)Failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11707.
(16)Violated Section 43151, 43152, or 43153 of, or subdivision (b) of Section 44072.10 of, the Health and Safety Code.
(17)Failed to repay a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 11703.
(18)As a buy-here-pay-here dealer, violated any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to those provisions.
(b)Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11707, every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 17.Section 11713.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.1.It is a violation of this code for the holder of a dealers license issued under this article to do any of the following:
(a)Advertise a specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model-year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. An advertisement that offers for sale a class of new vehicles in a dealers inventory, consisting of five or more vehicles, that are all of the same make, model, and model-year is not required to include in the advertisement the vehicle identification numbers or license numbers of those vehicles.
(b)Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at time of sale, except taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as defined in Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, emission testing charges not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, finance charges, and any dealer document processing charge or charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle.
(c)(1)Exclude from an advertisement of a vehicle for sale that there will be added to the advertised total price at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, a charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle, and a dealer document processing charge.
(2)The obligations imposed by paragraph (1) are satisfied by adding to the advertisement a statement containing no abbreviations and that is worded in substantially the following form: Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), advertisement means an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or direct mail publication that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on a Web page of a dealers Internet Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)Represent the dealer document processing charge, electronic registration or transfer charge, or emission testing charge, as a governmental fee.
(e)Fail to sell a vehicle to a person at the advertised total price, exclusive of taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, mobilehome escrow fees, the amount of a city, county, or city and county imposed fee or tax for a mobilehome, a dealer document processing charge, an electronic registration or transfer charge, and a charge for emission testing not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) plus the actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, while the vehicle remains unsold, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. Advertised vehicles shall be sold at or below the advertised total price, with statutorily permitted exclusions, regardless of whether the purchaser has knowledge of the advertised total price.
(f)(1)Advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to a transaction involving the following:
(A)A mobilehome.
(B)A commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C)An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as defined in Section 38012.
(D)A manufactured home.
(E)A new vehicle that will be substantially altered or modified by a converter prior to resale.
(F)A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(G)A vehicle purchased for export and exported outside the territorial limits of the United States without being registered with the department.
(H)A vehicle acquired in the ordinary course of business as a new vehicle by a dealer franchised to sell that vehicle, if all of the following apply:
(i)The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle files a bankruptcy petition.
(ii)The franchise agreement of the dealer is terminated, canceled, or rejected by the manufacturer or distributor as part of the bankruptcy proceedings and the termination, cancellation, or rejection is not a result of the revocation by the department of the dealers license or the dealers conviction of a crime.
(iii)The vehicle is held in the inventory of the dealer on the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(iv)The vehicle is sold by the dealer within six months of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(3)Subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) does not entitle a dealer whose franchise agreement has been terminated, canceled, or rejected to continue to perform warranty service repairs or continue to be eligible to offer or receive consumer or dealer incentives offered by the manufacturer or distributor.
(g)Sell a park trailer, as specified in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, without disclosing in writing to the purchaser that a park trailer is required to be moved by a transporter or a licensed manufacturer or dealer under a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(h)Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a dealer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. Free includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the sellers cost of the merchandise or services.
(i)(1)Advertise vehicles, and related goods or services, at a specified dealer price, with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price. In addition, whether or not there are sufficient vehicles in stock to supply a reasonably expectable demand, when phrases such as starting at, from, beginning as low as, or words of similar import are used in reference to an advertised price, the advertisement shall disclose the number of vehicles available at that advertised price.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, in a newspaper advertisement for a vehicle that is two model-years old or newer, the actual phrase that states the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price shall be printed in a type size that is at least equal to one-quarter of the type size, and in the same style and color of type, used for the advertised price. However, in no case shall the phrase be printed in less than 8-point type size, and the phrase shall be disclosed immediately above, below, or beside the advertised price without intervening words, pictures, marks, or symbols.
(3)The disclosure required by this subdivision is in addition to any other disclosure required by this code or any regulation regarding identifying vehicles advertised for sale.
(j)Use rebate or similar words, including, but not limited to, cash back, in advertising the sale of a vehicle unless the rebate is expressed in a specific dollar amount and is in fact a rebate offered by the vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a finance company affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a regulated utility, or a governmental entity directly to the retail purchaser of the vehicle or to the assignee of the retail purchaser.
(k)Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, cash price has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code.
(l)Advertise a guaranteed trade-in allowance.
(m)Misrepresent the authority of a salesperson, representative, or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n)(1)Use invoice, dealers invoice, wholesale price, or similar terms that refer to a dealers cost for a vehicle in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle or advertise that the selling price of a vehicle is above, below, or at either of the following:
(A)The manufacturers or distributors invoice price to a dealer.
(B)A dealers cost.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(A)A communication occurring during face-to-face negotiations for the purchase of a specific vehicle if the prospective purchaser initiates a discussion of the vehicles invoice price or the dealers cost for that vehicle.
(B)A communication between a dealer and a prospective commercial purchaser that is not disseminated to the general public. For purposes of this subparagraph, a commercial purchaser means a dealer, lessor, lessor-retailer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, financial institution, governmental entity, or person who purchases 10 or more vehicles during a year.
(o)Violate a law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 (commencing with Section 238) of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988.
(p)Make an untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory-installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is fully factory equipped.
(q)Affix on a new vehicle a supplemental price sticker containing a price that represents the dealers asking price that exceeds the manufacturers suggested retail price unless all of the following occur:
(1)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses in the largest print appearing on the sticker, other than the print size used for the dealers name, that the supplemental sticker price is the dealers asking price, or words of similar import, and that it is not the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(2)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(3)The supplemental sticker lists each item that is not included in the manufacturers suggested retail price, and discloses the additional price of each item. If the supplemental sticker price is greater than the sum of the manufacturers suggested retail price and the price of the items added by the dealer, the supplemental sticker price shall set forth that difference and describe it as added mark-up.
(r)Advertise an underselling claim, including, but not limited to, we have the lowest prices or we will beat any dealers price, unless the dealer has conducted a recent survey showing that the dealer sells its vehicles at lower prices than another licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claims. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request.
(s)(1)Advertise an incentive offered by the manufacturer or distributor if the dealer is required to contribute to the cost of the incentive as a condition of participating in the incentive program, unless the dealer discloses in a clear and conspicuous manner that dealer participation may affect consumer cost.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, incentive means anything of value offered to induce people to purchase a vehicle, including, but not limited to, discounts, savings claims, rebates, below-market finance rates, and free merchandise or services.
(t)Display or offer for sale a used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commissions Buyers Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(u)Fail to disclose in writing to the franchisor of a new motor vehicle dealer the name of the purchaser, date of sale, and the vehicle identification number of each new motor vehicle sold of the line-make of that franchisor, or intentionally submit to that franchisor a false name for the purchaser or false date for the date of sale.
(v)Enter into a contract for the retail sale of a motor vehicle unless the contract clearly and conspicuously discloses whether the vehicle is being sold as a new vehicle or a used vehicle, as defined in this code.
(w)Use a simulated check, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22433 of the Business and Professions Code, in an advertisement for the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(x)Fail to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner in at least 10-point boldface type on the face of a contract for the retail sale of a new motor vehicle that this transaction is, or is not, subject to a fee received by an autobroker from the selling new motor vehicle dealer, and the name of the autobroker, if applicable.
(y)Sell or lease a new motor vehicle after October 1, 2012, unless the dealer has a contractual agreement with the department to be a private industry partner pursuant to Section 1685. This subdivision does not apply to the sale or lease of a motorcycle or off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under Section 38010 or a recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z)As used in this section, make and model have the same meaning as is provided in Section 565.12 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 18.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to the sale or lease, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 18.1.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor. The manufacturer or distributor shall not unreasonably withhold consent or condition consent upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor, or an entity that controls or is controlled by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)(1)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours before the sale or lease of the vehicle, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle. In a proceeding in which a challenge to an adverse action is at issue, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall have the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to show that the vehicle was exported or resold in violation of an export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy, that the prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours prior to the sale or lease, and that the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export the vehicle to a foreign country at the time of the sale or lease.
(2)An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall not include a provision that expressly or implicitly requires a dealer to make further inquiries into a customers intent, identity, or financial ability to purchase or lease a vehicle based on any of the customers characteristics listed or defined in Section 51 of the Civil Code. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(3)An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall expressly include a provision stating the dealers rebuttable presumption if the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility means a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 19.Section 11713.23 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.23.(a)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state to or through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise with that recreational vehicle dealer, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3 and that has been signed by both parties.
(b)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3, with a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code, that has been signed by both parties.
(c)(1)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall not ship a new recreational vehicle to a recreational dealer on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(2)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not receive a new recreational vehicle from a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(d)Any new recreational vehicle inventory that has been purchased by a recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, before January 1, 2009, may be sold at any time without a recreational vehicle franchise.
(e)Following the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect, may be sold by that recreational vehicle dealer at any time.
(f)This section applies only to a dealer and manufacturer agreement involving recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include an agreement with a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 20.Sections 2.1 and 2.5 of this bill incorporate amendments to Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1178. They shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1178, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 21.Section 18.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1178. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1178, in which case Section 18 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 22.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, for the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power or authority of the board, except that three members of the board, who are not new motor vehicle dealers, shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) and the consideration of a petition pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3050 that involves a dispute between a franchisee and franchisor.
SEC. 2.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
SEC. 2.1.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066, 3080, or 3085.2 to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
(c)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.5.Section 3050.7 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
SEC. 3.Section 3066 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3066.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the board shall fix a time within 60 days of the order, and place of hearing, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. Except in a case involving a franchisee who deals exclusively in motorcycles, the board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3062 the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing motor vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3065 or 3065.1.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 4.Section 3067 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3067.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 5.Section 3068 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3068.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 6.Section 3070 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3070.(a)Notwithstanding Section 20999.1 of the Business and Professions Code or the terms of any franchise, a franchisor of a dealer of new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, except a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers, may not terminate or refuse to continue a franchise unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1)The franchisee and the board have received written notice from the franchisor as follows:
(A)Sixty days before the effective date thereof setting forth the specific grounds for termination or refusal to continue.
(B)Fifteen days before the effective date thereof setting forth the specific grounds with respect to any of the following:
(i)Transfer of any ownership or interest in the franchise without the consent of the franchisor, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
(ii)Misrepresentation by the franchisee in applying for the franchise.
(iii)Insolvency of the franchisee, or filing of any petition by or against the franchisee under any bankruptcy or receivership law.
(iv)Any unfair business practice after written warning thereof.
(v)Failure of the dealer to conduct its customary sales and service operations during its customary hours of business for seven consecutive business days, giving rise to a good faith belief on the part of the franchisor that the recreational vehicle dealer is in fact going out of business, except for circumstances beyond the direct control of the recreational vehicle dealer or by order of the department.
(C)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, one of the following statements, whichever is applicable:
(i)To be inserted when a 60-day notice of termination is given:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the termination of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 30 calendar days after receiving this notice or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest right will be waived.
(ii)To be inserted when a 15-day notice of termination is given:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the termination of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 10 calendar days after receiving this notice or within 10 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest right will be waived.
(2)Except as provided in Section 3050.7, the board finds that there is good cause for termination or refusal to continue, following a hearing called pursuant to Section 3080. The franchisee may file a protest with the board within 30 days after receiving a 60-day notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, or within 10 days after receiving a 15-day notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 10 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor. When a protest is filed, the board shall advise the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor may not terminate or refuse to continue until the board makes its findings.
(3)The franchisor has received the written consent of the franchisee, or the appropriate period for filing a protest has elapsed.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 20999.1 of the Business and Professions Code or the terms of any franchise, a franchisor of a dealer of recreational vehicles may not modify or replace a franchise with a succeeding franchise if the modification or replacement would substantially affect the franchisees sales or service obligations or investment, unless the franchisor has first given the board and each affected franchisee written notice thereof at least 60 days in advance of the modification or replacement. Within 30 days of receipt of a notice satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, a franchisee may file a protest with the board and the modification or replacement does not become effective until there is a finding by the board that there is good cause for the modification or replacement. If, however, a replacement franchise is the successor franchise to an expiring or expired term franchise, the prior franchise shall continue in effect until resolution of the protest by the board. In the event of multiple protests, hearings shall be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: Your franchise agreement is being modified or replaced. If the modification or replacement will substantially affect your sales or service obligations or investment, you have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the proposed modification or replacement of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 30 calendar days of your receipt of this notice or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest rights will be waived.
SEC. 7.Section 3072 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.(a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), if a franchisor seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeks to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area in which the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, the franchisor shall, in writing, first notify the board and each franchisee in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area of the franchisors intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership. Within 20 days of receiving the notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, any franchisee required to be given the notice may file with the board a protest to the proposed dealership establishment or relocation described in the franchisors notice. If, within this time, a franchisee files with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant an additional 10 days to file the protest. When a protest is filed, the board shall inform the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor shall not establish the proposed dealership or relocate the existing dealership until the board has held a hearing as provided in Section 3080, nor thereafter, if the board has determined that there is good cause for not permitting the establishment of the proposed recreational vehicle dealership or relocation of the existing recreational vehicle dealership. In the event of multiple protests, hearings may be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing on your protest under the terms of the California Vehicle Code if you oppose this action. You must file your protest with the board within 20 days of your receipt of this notice, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure that is provided by us to you. If, within this time, you file with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant you an additional 10 days to file the protest.
(b)Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1)The relocation of an existing dealership to any location that is both within the same city as, and within one mile of, the existing dealership location.
(2)The establishment at any location that is both within the same city as, and within one-quarter mile of, the location of a dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make that has been out of operation for less than 90 days.
(3)A display of vehicles at a fair, exposition, or similar exhibit if no actual sales are made at the event and the display does not exceed 30 days. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a new vehicle dealer from establishing a branch office for the purpose of selling vehicles at the fair, exposition, or similar exhibit, even though that event is sponsored by a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, or by a financial institution and a licensed dealer. The establishment of these branch offices, however, shall be in accordance with subdivision (a) where applicable.
(4)An annual show sponsored by a national trade association of recreational vehicle manufacturers that complies with all of the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 11713.15.
(c)For the purposes of this section, the reopening of a dealership that has not been in operation for one year or more shall be deemed the establishment of an additional recreational vehicle dealership.
(d)For the purposes of this section and Section 3073, a recreational vehicle dealership or dealership is any authorized facility at which a franchisee offers for sale or lease, displays for sale or lease, or sells or leases new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code. A recreational vehicle dealership or dealership does not include a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 8.Section 3072.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.5.For the purposes of this article, a recreational vehicle line-make is a group or groups of recreational vehicles defined by the terms of a written agreement that complies with Section 331.3.
SEC. 9.Section 3073 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3073.In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into a recreational vehicle franchise or relocating an existing dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make, the board shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a)The permanency of the investment.
(b)The effect on the retail recreational vehicle business and the consuming public in the relevant market area.
(c)Whether it is injurious to the public welfare for an additional recreational vehicle franchise to be established or an existing dealership be relocated.
(d)Whether the franchisees of the same recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the recreational vehicle line-make in the market area. In making this determination, the board shall consider the adequacy of recreational vehicle sales and, if required by the franchise, service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel.
(e)Whether the establishment of an additional franchise would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.
SEC. 10.Section 3074 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3074.(a)A franchisor shall specify to its franchisees the delivery and preparation obligations of the franchisees prior to delivery of new recreational vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations, which shall constitute the franchisees only responsibility for product liability between the franchisee and the franchisor but which shall not in any way affect the franchisees responsibility for product liability between the purchaser and either the franchisee or the franchisor, and a schedule of compensation to be paid franchisees for the work and services they shall be required to perform in connection with the delivery and preparation obligations shall be filed with the board by franchisors, and shall constitute the compensation as set forth on the schedule. The schedule of compensation shall be reasonable, with the reasonableness thereof being subject to the approval of the board, if a franchisee files a notice of protest with the board. In determining the reasonableness of the schedules, the board shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the time required to perform each function that the dealer is obligated to perform and the appropriate labor rate.
(b)Upon delivery of the vehicle, the franchisee shall give a copy of the delivery and preparation obligations to the purchaser and a written certification that the franchisee has fulfilled these obligations.
SEC. 11.Section 3078 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3078.(a)If the board receives a complaint from a member of the public seeking a refund involving the sale or lease of, or a replacement of, a recreational vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, from a recreational vehicle dealership, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3072, the board shall recommend that the complainant consult with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b)This chapter does not affect a persons rights regarding a transaction involving a recreational vehicle as defined in subdivision (a), to maintain an action under any other statute, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Title 1.7 (commencing with Section 1790) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 12.Section 3079 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3079.This article applies only to a recreational vehicle franchise entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 13.Section 3080 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3080.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076, the board shall fix a time and place of hearing within 60 days of the order, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. The board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3070 or 3072, the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership or relocating an existing recreational vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3074, 3075, or 3076, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3075 or 3076.
SEC. 14.Section 3081 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3081.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 15.Section 3082 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3082.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 16.Section 11705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11705.(a)The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a dealer, transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following:
(1)Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact, in the application for the license.
(2)Made, or knowingly or negligently permitted, an illegal use of the special plates issued to the licensee.
(3)Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made a false statement, or knowingly concealed a material fact, in an application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application.
(4)Failed to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership.
(5)Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle.
(6)Failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between the type of business licensed pursuant to this chapter and any other type of business conducted at the established place of business.
(7)Willfully violated Section 3064, 3065, 3074, or 3075 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(8)Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or subdivision (a) of Section 38200.
(9)Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(10)Violated any provision of Article 1 (commencing with Section 11700) of Chapter 4 of Division 5 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(11)Violated any provision of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(12)Violated any provision of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(13)Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was dishonored or refused payment upon presentation.
(14)Has caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on that person or fraudulent representations made to that person in the course of the licensed activity.
For purposes of this paragraph, fraud includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either actual fraud or constructive fraud as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and deceit has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, fraud and deceit include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code.
For purposes of this paragraph, person also includes a governmental entity.
(15)Failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11707.
(16)Violated Section 43151, 43152, or 43153 of, or subdivision (b) of Section 44072.10 of, the Health and Safety Code.
(17)Failed to repay a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 11703.
(18)As a buy-here-pay-here dealer, violated any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to those provisions.
(b)Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11707, every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 17.Section 11713.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.1.It is a violation of this code for the holder of a dealers license issued under this article to do any of the following:
(a)Advertise a specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model-year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. An advertisement that offers for sale a class of new vehicles in a dealers inventory, consisting of five or more vehicles, that are all of the same make, model, and model-year is not required to include in the advertisement the vehicle identification numbers or license numbers of those vehicles.
(b)Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at time of sale, except taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as defined in Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, emission testing charges not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, finance charges, and any dealer document processing charge or charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle.
(c)(1)Exclude from an advertisement of a vehicle for sale that there will be added to the advertised total price at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, a charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle, and a dealer document processing charge.
(2)The obligations imposed by paragraph (1) are satisfied by adding to the advertisement a statement containing no abbreviations and that is worded in substantially the following form: Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), advertisement means an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or direct mail publication that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on a Web page of a dealers Internet Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)Represent the dealer document processing charge, electronic registration or transfer charge, or emission testing charge, as a governmental fee.
(e)Fail to sell a vehicle to a person at the advertised total price, exclusive of taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, mobilehome escrow fees, the amount of a city, county, or city and county imposed fee or tax for a mobilehome, a dealer document processing charge, an electronic registration or transfer charge, and a charge for emission testing not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) plus the actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, while the vehicle remains unsold, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. Advertised vehicles shall be sold at or below the advertised total price, with statutorily permitted exclusions, regardless of whether the purchaser has knowledge of the advertised total price.
(f)(1)Advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to a transaction involving the following:
(A)A mobilehome.
(B)A commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C)An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as defined in Section 38012.
(D)A manufactured home.
(E)A new vehicle that will be substantially altered or modified by a converter prior to resale.
(F)A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(G)A vehicle purchased for export and exported outside the territorial limits of the United States without being registered with the department.
(H)A vehicle acquired in the ordinary course of business as a new vehicle by a dealer franchised to sell that vehicle, if all of the following apply:
(i)The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle files a bankruptcy petition.
(ii)The franchise agreement of the dealer is terminated, canceled, or rejected by the manufacturer or distributor as part of the bankruptcy proceedings and the termination, cancellation, or rejection is not a result of the revocation by the department of the dealers license or the dealers conviction of a crime.
(iii)The vehicle is held in the inventory of the dealer on the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(iv)The vehicle is sold by the dealer within six months of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(3)Subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) does not entitle a dealer whose franchise agreement has been terminated, canceled, or rejected to continue to perform warranty service repairs or continue to be eligible to offer or receive consumer or dealer incentives offered by the manufacturer or distributor.
(g)Sell a park trailer, as specified in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, without disclosing in writing to the purchaser that a park trailer is required to be moved by a transporter or a licensed manufacturer or dealer under a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(h)Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a dealer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. Free includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the sellers cost of the merchandise or services.
(i)(1)Advertise vehicles, and related goods or services, at a specified dealer price, with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price. In addition, whether or not there are sufficient vehicles in stock to supply a reasonably expectable demand, when phrases such as starting at, from, beginning as low as, or words of similar import are used in reference to an advertised price, the advertisement shall disclose the number of vehicles available at that advertised price.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, in a newspaper advertisement for a vehicle that is two model-years old or newer, the actual phrase that states the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price shall be printed in a type size that is at least equal to one-quarter of the type size, and in the same style and color of type, used for the advertised price. However, in no case shall the phrase be printed in less than 8-point type size, and the phrase shall be disclosed immediately above, below, or beside the advertised price without intervening words, pictures, marks, or symbols.
(3)The disclosure required by this subdivision is in addition to any other disclosure required by this code or any regulation regarding identifying vehicles advertised for sale.
(j)Use rebate or similar words, including, but not limited to, cash back, in advertising the sale of a vehicle unless the rebate is expressed in a specific dollar amount and is in fact a rebate offered by the vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a finance company affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a regulated utility, or a governmental entity directly to the retail purchaser of the vehicle or to the assignee of the retail purchaser.
(k)Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, cash price has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code.
(l)Advertise a guaranteed trade-in allowance.
(m)Misrepresent the authority of a salesperson, representative, or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n)(1)Use invoice, dealers invoice, wholesale price, or similar terms that refer to a dealers cost for a vehicle in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle or advertise that the selling price of a vehicle is above, below, or at either of the following:
(A)The manufacturers or distributors invoice price to a dealer.
(B)A dealers cost.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(A)A communication occurring during face-to-face negotiations for the purchase of a specific vehicle if the prospective purchaser initiates a discussion of the vehicles invoice price or the dealers cost for that vehicle.
(B)A communication between a dealer and a prospective commercial purchaser that is not disseminated to the general public. For purposes of this subparagraph, a commercial purchaser means a dealer, lessor, lessor-retailer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, financial institution, governmental entity, or person who purchases 10 or more vehicles during a year.
(o)Violate a law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 (commencing with Section 238) of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988.
(p)Make an untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory-installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is fully factory equipped.
(q)Affix on a new vehicle a supplemental price sticker containing a price that represents the dealers asking price that exceeds the manufacturers suggested retail price unless all of the following occur:
(1)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses in the largest print appearing on the sticker, other than the print size used for the dealers name, that the supplemental sticker price is the dealers asking price, or words of similar import, and that it is not the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(2)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(3)The supplemental sticker lists each item that is not included in the manufacturers suggested retail price, and discloses the additional price of each item. If the supplemental sticker price is greater than the sum of the manufacturers suggested retail price and the price of the items added by the dealer, the supplemental sticker price shall set forth that difference and describe it as added mark-up.
(r)Advertise an underselling claim, including, but not limited to, we have the lowest prices or we will beat any dealers price, unless the dealer has conducted a recent survey showing that the dealer sells its vehicles at lower prices than another licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claims. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request.
(s)(1)Advertise an incentive offered by the manufacturer or distributor if the dealer is required to contribute to the cost of the incentive as a condition of participating in the incentive program, unless the dealer discloses in a clear and conspicuous manner that dealer participation may affect consumer cost.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, incentive means anything of value offered to induce people to purchase a vehicle, including, but not limited to, discounts, savings claims, rebates, below-market finance rates, and free merchandise or services.
(t)Display or offer for sale a used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commissions Buyers Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(u)Fail to disclose in writing to the franchisor of a new motor vehicle dealer the name of the purchaser, date of sale, and the vehicle identification number of each new motor vehicle sold of the line-make of that franchisor, or intentionally submit to that franchisor a false name for the purchaser or false date for the date of sale.
(v)Enter into a contract for the retail sale of a motor vehicle unless the contract clearly and conspicuously discloses whether the vehicle is being sold as a new vehicle or a used vehicle, as defined in this code.
(w)Use a simulated check, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22433 of the Business and Professions Code, in an advertisement for the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(x)Fail to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner in at least 10-point boldface type on the face of a contract for the retail sale of a new motor vehicle that this transaction is, or is not, subject to a fee received by an autobroker from the selling new motor vehicle dealer, and the name of the autobroker, if applicable.
(y)Sell or lease a new motor vehicle after October 1, 2012, unless the dealer has a contractual agreement with the department to be a private industry partner pursuant to Section 1685. This subdivision does not apply to the sale or lease of a motorcycle or off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under Section 38010 or a recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z)As used in this section, make and model have the same meaning as is provided in Section 565.12 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 18.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to the sale or lease, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 18.1.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor. The manufacturer or distributor shall not unreasonably withhold consent or condition consent upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor, or an entity that controls or is controlled by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)(1)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours before the sale or lease of the vehicle, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle. In a proceeding in which a challenge to an adverse action is at issue, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall have the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to show that the vehicle was exported or resold in violation of an export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy, that the prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours prior to the sale or lease, and that the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export the vehicle to a foreign country at the time of the sale or lease.
(2)An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall not include a provision that expressly or implicitly requires a dealer to make further inquiries into a customers intent, identity, or financial ability to purchase or lease a vehicle based on any of the customers characteristics listed or defined in Section 51 of the Civil Code. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(3)An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall expressly include a provision stating the dealers rebuttable presumption if the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility means a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 19.Section 11713.23 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.23.(a)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state to or through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise with that recreational vehicle dealer, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3 and that has been signed by both parties.
(b)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3, with a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code, that has been signed by both parties.
(c)(1)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall not ship a new recreational vehicle to a recreational dealer on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(2)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not receive a new recreational vehicle from a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(d)Any new recreational vehicle inventory that has been purchased by a recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, before January 1, 2009, may be sold at any time without a recreational vehicle franchise.
(e)Following the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect, may be sold by that recreational vehicle dealer at any time.
(f)This section applies only to a dealer and manufacturer agreement involving recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include an agreement with a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 20.Sections 2.1 and 2.5 of this bill incorporate amendments to Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1178. They shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1178, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 21.Section 18.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1178. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1178, in which case Section 18 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 22.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, for the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power or authority of the board, except that three members of the board, who are not new motor vehicle dealers, shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) and the consideration of a petition pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3050 that involves a dispute between a franchisee and franchisor.
SEC. 2.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
SEC. 2.1.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066, 3080, or 3085.2 to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
(c)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.5.Section 3050.7 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
SEC. 3.Section 3066 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3066.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the board shall fix a time within 60 days of the order, and place of hearing, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. Except in a case involving a franchisee who deals exclusively in motorcycles, the board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3062 the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing motor vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3065 or 3065.1.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 4.Section 3067 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3067.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 5.Section 3068 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3068.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 6.Section 3070 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3070.(a)Notwithstanding Section 20999.1 of the Business and Professions Code or the terms of any franchise, a franchisor of a dealer of new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, except a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers, may not terminate or refuse to continue a franchise unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1)The franchisee and the board have received written notice from the franchisor as follows:
(A)Sixty days before the effective date thereof setting forth the specific grounds for termination or refusal to continue.
(B)Fifteen days before the effective date thereof setting forth the specific grounds with respect to any of the following:
(i)Transfer of any ownership or interest in the franchise without the consent of the franchisor, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
(ii)Misrepresentation by the franchisee in applying for the franchise.
(iii)Insolvency of the franchisee, or filing of any petition by or against the franchisee under any bankruptcy or receivership law.
(iv)Any unfair business practice after written warning thereof.
(v)Failure of the dealer to conduct its customary sales and service operations during its customary hours of business for seven consecutive business days, giving rise to a good faith belief on the part of the franchisor that the recreational vehicle dealer is in fact going out of business, except for circumstances beyond the direct control of the recreational vehicle dealer or by order of the department.
(C)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, one of the following statements, whichever is applicable:
(i)To be inserted when a 60-day notice of termination is given:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the termination of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 30 calendar days after receiving this notice or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest right will be waived.
(ii)To be inserted when a 15-day notice of termination is given:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the termination of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 10 calendar days after receiving this notice or within 10 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor or your protest right will be waived.
(2)Except as provided in Section 3050.7, the board finds that there is good cause for termination or refusal to continue, following a hearing called pursuant to Section 3066. 3080. The franchisee may file a protest with the board within 30 days after receiving a 60-day notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, or within 10 days after receiving a 15-day notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 10 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor. When a protest is filed, the board shall advise the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3066, 3080, and that the franchisor may not terminate or refuse to continue until the board makes its findings.
(3)The franchisor has received the written consent of the franchisee, or the appropriate period for filing a protest has elapsed.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 20999.1 of the Business and Professions Code or the terms of any franchise, a franchisor of a dealer of recreational vehicles may not modify or replace a franchise with a succeeding franchise if the modification or replacement would substantially affect the franchisees sales or service obligations or investment, unless the franchisor has first given the board and each affected franchisee written notice thereof at least 60 days in advance of the modification or replacement. Within 30 days of receipt of a notice satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, a franchisee may file a protest with the board and the modification or replacement does not become effective until there is a finding by the board that there is good cause for the modification or replacement. If, however, a replacement franchise is the successor franchise to an expiring or expired term franchise, the prior franchise shall continue in effect until resolution of the protest by the board. In the event of multiple protests, hearings shall be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: Your franchise agreement is being modified or replaced. If the modification or replacement will substantially affect your sales or service obligations or investment, you have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing in which you may protest the proposed modification or replacement of your franchise under provisions of the California Vehicle Code. You must file your protest with the board within 30 calendar days of your receipt of this notice or within 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchiser franchisor or your protest rights will be waived.
SEC. 6.SEC. 7.Section 3072 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.(a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), if a franchisor seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeks to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area in which the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, the franchisor shall, in writing, first notify the board and each franchisee in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area of the franchisors intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership. Within 20 days of receiving the notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, any franchisee required to be given the notice may file with the board a protest to the proposed dealership establishment or relocation described in the franchisors notice. If, within this time, a franchisee files with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant an additional 10 days to file the protest. When a protest is filed, the board shall inform the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor shall not establish the proposed dealership or relocate the existing dealership until the board has held a hearing as provided in Section 3080, nor thereafter, if the board has determined that there is good cause for not permitting the establishment of the proposed recreational vehicle dealership or relocation of the existing recreational vehicle dealership. In the event of multiple protests, hearings may be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing on your protest under the terms of the California Vehicle Code if you oppose this action. You must file your protest with the board within 20 days of your receipt of this notice, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure that is provided by us to you. If, within this time, you file with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant you an additional 10 days to file the protest.
(b)Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1)The relocation of an existing dealership to any location that is both within the same city as, and within one mile of, the existing dealership location.
(2)The establishment at any location that is both within the same city as, and within one-quarter mile of, the location of a dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make that has been out of operation for less than 90 days.
(3)A display of vehicles at a fair, exposition, or similar exhibit if no actual sales are made at the event and the display does not exceed 30 days. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a new vehicle dealer from establishing a branch office for the purpose of selling vehicles at the fair, exposition, or similar exhibit, even though that event is sponsored by a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, or by a financial institution and a licensed dealer. The establishment of these branch offices, however, shall be in accordance with subdivision (a) where applicable.
(4)An annual show sponsored by a national trade association of recreational vehicle manufacturers that complies with all of the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 11713.15.
(c)For the purposes of this section, the reopening of a dealership that has not been in operation for one year or more shall be deemed the establishment of an additional recreational vehicle dealership.
(d)For the purposes of this section and Section 3073, a recreational vehicle dealership or dealership is any authorized facility at which a franchisee offers for sale or lease, displays for sale or lease, or sells or leases new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code. A recreational vehicle dealership or dealership does not include a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 7.SEC. 8.Section 3072.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.5.For the purposes of this article, a recreational vehicle line-make is a group or groups of recreational vehicles defined by the terms of a written agreement that complies with Section 331.3.
SEC. 8.SEC. 9.Section 3073 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3073.In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into a recreational vehicle franchise or relocating an existing dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make, the board shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a)The permanency of the investment.
(b)The effect on the retail recreational vehicle business and the consuming public in the relevant market area.
(c)Whether it is injurious to the public welfare for an additional recreational vehicle franchise to be established or an existing dealership be relocated.
(d)Whether the franchisees of the same recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the recreational vehicle line-make in the market area. In making this determination, the board shall consider the adequacy of recreational vehicle sales and, if required by the franchise, service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel.
(e)Whether the establishment of an additional franchise would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.
SEC. 9.SEC. 10.Section 3074 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3074.(a)A franchisor shall specify to its franchisees the delivery and preparation obligations of the franchisees prior to delivery of new recreational vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations, which shall constitute the franchisees only responsibility for product liability between the franchisee and the franchisor but which shall not in any way affect the franchisees responsibility for product liability between the purchaser and either the franchisee or the franchisor, and a schedule of compensation to be paid franchisees for the work and services they shall be required to perform in connection with the delivery and preparation obligations shall be filed with the board by franchisors, and shall constitute the compensation as set forth on the schedule. The schedule of compensation shall be reasonable, with the reasonableness thereof being subject to the approval of the board, if a franchisee files a notice of protest with the board. In determining the reasonableness of the schedules, the board shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the time required to perform each function that the dealer is obligated to perform and the appropriate labor rate.
(b)Upon delivery of the vehicle, the franchisee shall give a copy of the delivery and preparation obligations to the purchaser and a written certification that the franchisee has fulfilled these obligations.
SEC. 10.SEC. 11.Section 3078 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3078.(a)If the board receives a complaint from a member of the public seeking a refund involving the sale or lease of, or a replacement of, a recreational vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, from a recreational vehicle dealership, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3072, the board shall recommend that the complainant consult with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b)This chapter does not affect a persons rights regarding a transaction involving a recreational vehicle as defined in subdivision (a), to maintain an action under any other statute, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Title 1.7 (commencing with Section 1790) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 11.SEC. 12.Section 3079 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3079.This article applies only to a recreational vehicle franchise entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 12.SEC. 13.Section 3080 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3080.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076, the board shall fix a time and place of hearing within 60 days of the order, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. The board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3070 or 3072, the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership or relocating an existing recreational vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3074, 3075, or 3076, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3075 or 3076.
SEC. 13.SEC. 14.Section 3081 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3081.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 14.SEC. 15.Section 3082 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3082.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 15.SEC. 16.Section 11705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11705.(a)The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a dealer, transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following:
(1)Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact, in the application for the license.
(2)Made, or knowingly or negligently permitted, an illegal use of the special plates issued to the licensee.
(3)Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made a false statement, or knowingly concealed a material fact, in an application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application.
(4)Failed to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership.
(5)Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle.
(6)Failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between the type of business licensed pursuant to this chapter and any other type of business conducted at the established place of business.
(7)Willfully violated Section 3064, 3065, 3074, or 3075 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(8)Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or subdivision (a) of Section 38200.
(9)Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(10)Violated any provision of Article 1 (commencing with Section 11700) of Chapter 4 of Division 5 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(11)Violated any provision of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(12)Violated any provision of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(13)Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was dishonored or refused payment upon presentation.
(14)Has caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on that person or fraudulent representations made to that person in the course of the licensed activity.
For purposes of this paragraph, fraud includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either actual fraud or constructive fraud as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and deceit has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, fraud and deceit include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code.
For purposes of this paragraph, person also includes a governmental entity.
(15)Failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11707.
(16)Violated Section 43151, 43152, or 43153 of, or subdivision (b) of Section 44072.10 of, the Health and Safety Code.
(17)Failed to repay a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 11703.
(18)As a buy-here-pay-here dealer, violated any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to those provisions.
(b)Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11707, every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 16.SEC. 17.Section 11713.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.1.It is a violation of this code for the holder of a dealers license issued under this article to do any of the following:
(a)Advertise a specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model-year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. An advertisement that offers for sale a class of new vehicles in a dealers inventory, consisting of five or more vehicles, that are all of the same make, model, and model-year is not required to include in the advertisement the vehicle identification numbers or license numbers of those vehicles.
(b)Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at time of sale, except taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as defined in Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, emission testing charges not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, finance charges, and any dealer document processing charge or charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle.
(c)(1)Exclude from an advertisement of a vehicle for sale that there will be added to the advertised total price at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, a charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle, and a dealer document processing charge.
(2)The obligations imposed by paragraph (1) are satisfied by adding to the advertisement a statement containing no abbreviations and that is worded in substantially the following form: Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), advertisement means an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or direct mail publication that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on a Web page of a dealers Internet Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)Represent the dealer document processing charge, electronic registration or transfer charge, or emission testing charge, as a governmental fee.
(e)Fail to sell a vehicle to a person at the advertised total price, exclusive of taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, mobilehome escrow fees, the amount of a city, county, or city and county imposed fee or tax for a mobilehome, a dealer document processing charge, an electronic registration or transfer charge, and a charge for emission testing not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) plus the actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, while the vehicle remains unsold, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. Advertised vehicles shall be sold at or below the advertised total price, with statutorily permitted exclusions, regardless of whether the purchaser has knowledge of the advertised total price.
(f)(1)Advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to a transaction involving the following:
(A)A mobilehome.
(B)A commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C)An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as defined in Section 38012.
(D)A manufactured home.
(E)A new vehicle that will be substantially altered or modified by a converter prior to resale.
(F)A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(G)A vehicle purchased for export and exported outside the territorial limits of the United States without being registered with the department.
(H)A vehicle acquired in the ordinary course of business as a new vehicle by a dealer franchised to sell that vehicle, if all of the following apply:
(i)The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle files a bankruptcy petition.
(ii)The franchise agreement of the dealer is terminated, canceled, or rejected by the manufacturer or distributor as part of the bankruptcy proceedings and the termination, cancellation, or rejection is not a result of the revocation by the department of the dealers license or the dealers conviction of a crime.
(iii)The vehicle is held in the inventory of the dealer on the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(iv)The vehicle is sold by the dealer within six months of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(3)Subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) does not entitle a dealer whose franchise agreement has been terminated, canceled, or rejected to continue to perform warranty service repairs or continue to be eligible to offer or receive consumer or dealer incentives offered by the manufacturer or distributor.
(g)Sell a park trailer, as specified in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, without disclosing in writing to the purchaser that a park trailer is required to be moved by a transporter or a licensed manufacturer or dealer under a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(h)Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a dealer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. Free includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the sellers cost of the merchandise or services.
(i)(1)Advertise vehicles, and related goods or services, at a specified dealer price, with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price. In addition, whether or not there are sufficient vehicles in stock to supply a reasonably expectable demand, when phrases such as starting at, from, beginning as low as, or words of similar import are used in reference to an advertised price, the advertisement shall disclose the number of vehicles available at that advertised price.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, in a newspaper advertisement for a vehicle that is two model-years old or newer, the actual phrase that states the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price shall be printed in a type size that is at least equal to one-quarter of the type size, and in the same style and color of type, used for the advertised price. However, in no case shall the phrase be printed in less than 8-point type size, and the phrase shall be disclosed immediately above, below, or beside the advertised price without intervening words, pictures, marks, or symbols.
(3)The disclosure required by this subdivision is in addition to any other disclosure required by this code or any regulation regarding identifying vehicles advertised for sale.
(j)Use rebate or similar words, including, but not limited to, cash back, in advertising the sale of a vehicle unless the rebate is expressed in a specific dollar amount and is in fact a rebate offered by the vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a finance company affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a regulated utility, or a governmental entity directly to the retail purchaser of the vehicle or to the assignee of the retail purchaser.
(k)Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, cash price has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code.
(l)Advertise a guaranteed trade-in allowance.
(m)Misrepresent the authority of a salesperson, representative, or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n)(1)Use invoice, dealers invoice, wholesale price, or similar terms that refer to a dealers cost for a vehicle in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle or advertise that the selling price of a vehicle is above, below, or at either of the following:
(A)The manufacturers or distributors invoice price to a dealer.
(B)A dealers cost.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(A)A communication occurring during face-to-face negotiations for the purchase of a specific vehicle if the prospective purchaser initiates a discussion of the vehicles invoice price or the dealers cost for that vehicle.
(B)A communication between a dealer and a prospective commercial purchaser that is not disseminated to the general public. For purposes of this subparagraph, a commercial purchaser means a dealer, lessor, lessor-retailer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, financial institution, governmental entity, or person who purchases 10 or more vehicles during a year.
(o)Violate a law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 (commencing with Section 238) of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988.
(p)Make an untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory-installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is fully factory equipped.
(q)Affix on a new vehicle a supplemental price sticker containing a price that represents the dealers asking price that exceeds the manufacturers suggested retail price unless all of the following occur:
(1)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses in the largest print appearing on the sticker, other than the print size used for the dealers name, that the supplemental sticker price is the dealers asking price, or words of similar import, and that it is not the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(2)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(3)The supplemental sticker lists each item that is not included in the manufacturers suggested retail price, and discloses the additional price of each item. If the supplemental sticker price is greater than the sum of the manufacturers suggested retail price and the price of the items added by the dealer, the supplemental sticker price shall set forth that difference and describe it as added mark-up.
(r)Advertise an underselling claim, including, but not limited to, we have the lowest prices or we will beat any dealers price, unless the dealer has conducted a recent survey showing that the dealer sells its vehicles at lower prices than another licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claims. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request.
(s)(1)Advertise an incentive offered by the manufacturer or distributor if the dealer is required to contribute to the cost of the incentive as a condition of participating in the incentive program, unless the dealer discloses in a clear and conspicuous manner that dealer participation may affect consumer cost.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, incentive means anything of value offered to induce people to purchase a vehicle, including, but not limited to, discounts, savings claims, rebates, below-market finance rates, and free merchandise or services.
(t)Display or offer for sale a used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commissions Buyers Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(u)Fail to disclose in writing to the franchisor of a new motor vehicle dealer the name of the purchaser, date of sale, and the vehicle identification number of each new motor vehicle sold of the line-make of that franchisor, or intentionally submit to that franchisor a false name for the purchaser or false date for the date of sale.
(v)Enter into a contract for the retail sale of a motor vehicle unless the contract clearly and conspicuously discloses whether the vehicle is being sold as a new vehicle or a used vehicle, as defined in this code.
(w)Use a simulated check, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22433 of the Business and Professions Code, in an advertisement for the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(x)Fail to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner in at least 10-point boldface type on the face of a contract for the retail sale of a new motor vehicle that this transaction is, or is not, subject to a fee received by an autobroker from the selling new motor vehicle dealer, and the name of the autobroker, if applicable.
(y)Sell or lease a new motor vehicle after October 1, 2012, unless the dealer has a contractual agreement with the department to be a private industry partner pursuant to Section 1685. This subdivision does not apply to the sale or lease of a motorcycle or off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under Section 38010 or a recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z)As used in this section, make and model have the same meaning as is provided in Section 565.12 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 17.SEC. 18.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor, distributor or an entity that controls, controls or is controlled by, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to the sale or lease, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 18.1.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent distributor. The manufacturer or distributor shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned withhold consent or condition consent upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor distributor, or an entity that controls or is controlled by, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)(1)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to at least 48 hours before the sale or lease, lease of the vehicle, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. prohibition. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle. In a proceeding in which a challenge to an adverse action is at issue, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall have the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to show that the vehicle was exported or resold in violation of an export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy, that the prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours prior to the sale or lease, and that the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export the vehicle to a foreign country at the time of the sale or lease.
(2)An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall not include a provision that expressly or implicitly requires a dealer to make further inquiries into a customers intent, identity, or financial ability to purchase or lease a vehicle based on any of the customers characteristics listed or defined in Section 51 of the Civil Code. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(3)An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall expressly include a provision stating the dealers rebuttable presumption if the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is means a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 18.SEC. 19.Section 11713.23 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.23.(a)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state to or through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise with that recreational vehicle dealer, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3 and that has been signed by both parties.
(b)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3, with a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code, that has been signed by both parties.
(c)(1)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall not ship a new recreational vehicle to a recreational dealer on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(2)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not receive a new recreational vehicle from a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(d)Any new recreational vehicle inventory that has been purchased by a recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, before January 1, 2009, may be sold at any time without a recreational vehicle franchise.
(e)Following the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect, may be sold by that recreational vehicle dealer at any time.
(f)This section applies only to a dealer and manufacturer agreement involving recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include an agreement with a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 20.Sections 2.1 and 2.5 of this bill incorporate amendments to Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1178. They shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1178, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 21.Section 18.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1178. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1178, in which case Section 18 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 19.SEC. 22.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, for the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power or authority of the board, except that three members of the board, who are not new motor vehicle dealers, shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) and the consideration of a petition pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3050 that involves a dispute between a franchisee and franchisor.
SEC. 2.Section 3050.7 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3050.7.(a)The board may adopt stipulated decisions and orders, without a hearing pursuant to Section 3066, Section 3066 or 3080, to resolve one or more issues raised by a protest or petition filed with the board. Whenever the parties to a protest or petition submit a proposed stipulated decision and order of the board, a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order shall be transmitted by the executive director of the board to each member of the board. The proposed stipulated decision and order shall be deemed to be adopted by the board unless a member of the board notifies the executive director of the board of an objection thereto within 10 days after that board member has received a copy of the proposed stipulated decision and order.
(b)If the board adopts a stipulated decision and order to resolve a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3070 in which the parties stipulate that good cause exists for the termination of the franchise of the protestant, and the order provides for a conditional or unconditional termination of the franchise of the protestant, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3060 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3070, which require a hearing to determine whether good cause exists for termination of the franchise, is inapplicable to the proceedings. If the stipulated decision and order provides for an unconditional termination of the franchise, the franchise may be terminated without further proceedings by the board. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise, conditioned upon the failure of a party to comply with specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the conditions have not been met. If the stipulated decision and order provides for the termination of the franchise conditioned upon the occurrence of specified conditions, the franchise may be terminated upon a determination, according to the terms of the stipulated decision and order, that the stipulated conditions have occurred.
SEC. 2.SEC. 3.Section 3066 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3066.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the board shall fix a time within 60 days of the order, and place of hearing, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. Except in a case involving a franchisee who deals exclusively in motorcycles, the board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3062 the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing motor vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3064, 3065 3065, or 3065.1, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3065 or 3065.1.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 3.SEC. 4.Section 3067 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3067.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 4.SEC. 5.Section 3068 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3068.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 5.SEC. 6.Section 3072 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.(a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), if a franchisor seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeks to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area in which the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, the franchisor shall, in writing, first notify the board and each franchisee in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area of the franchisors intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership. Within 20 days of receiving the notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, any franchisee required to be given the notice may file with the board a protest to the proposed dealership establishment or relocation described in the franchisors notice. If, within this time, a franchisee files with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant an additional 10 days to file the protest. When a protest is filed, the board shall inform the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor shall not establish the proposed dealership or relocate the existing dealership until the board has held a hearing as provided in Section 3080, nor thereafter, if the board has determined that there is good cause for not permitting the establishment of the proposed recreational vehicle dealership or relocation of the existing recreational vehicle dealership. In the event of multiple protests, hearings may be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing on your protest under the terms of the California Vehicle Code if you oppose this action. You must file your protest with the board within 20 days of your receipt of this notice, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure that is provided by us to you. If, within this time, you file with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant you an additional 10 days to file the protest.
(b)Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1)The relocation of an existing dealership to any location that is both within the same city as, and within one mile of, the existing dealership location.
(2)The establishment at any location that is both within the same city as, and within one-quarter mile of, the location of a dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make that has been out of operation for less than 90 days.
(3)A display of vehicles at a fair, exposition, or similar exhibit if no actual sales are made at the event and the display does not exceed 30 days. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a new vehicle dealer from establishing a branch office for the purpose of selling vehicles at the fair, exposition, or similar exhibit, even though that event is sponsored by a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, or by a financial institution and a licensed dealer. The establishment of these branch offices, however, shall be in accordance with subdivision (a) where applicable.
(4)An annual show sponsored by a national trade association of recreational vehicle manufacturers that complies with all of the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 11713.15.
(c)For the purposes of this section, the reopening of a dealership that has not been in operation for one year or more shall be deemed the establishment of an additional recreational vehicle dealership.
(d)For the purposes of this section and Section 3073, a recreational vehicle dealership or dealership is any authorized facility at which a franchisee offers for sale or lease, displays for sale or lease, or sells or leases new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code. A recreational vehicle dealership or dealership does not include a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 6.SEC. 7.Section 3072.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.5.For the purposes of this article, a recreational vehicle line-make is a group or groups of recreational vehicles defined by the terms of a written agreement that complies with Section 331.3.
SEC. 7.SEC. 8.Section 3073 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3073.In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into a recreational vehicle franchise or relocating an existing dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make, the board shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a)The permanency of the investment.
(b)The effect on the retail recreational vehicle business and the consuming public in the relevant market area.
(c)Whether it is injurious to the public welfare for an additional recreational vehicle franchise to be established or an existing dealership be relocated.
(d)Whether the franchisees of the same recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the recreational vehicle line-make in the market area. In making this determination, the board shall consider the adequacy of recreational vehicle sales and, if required by the franchise, service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel.
(e)Whether the establishment of an additional franchise would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.
SEC. 8.SEC. 9.Section 3074 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3074.(a)A franchisor shall specify to its franchisees the delivery and preparation obligations of the franchisees prior to delivery of new recreational vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations, which shall constitute the franchisees only responsibility for product liability between the franchisee and the franchisor but which shall not in any way affect the franchisees responsibility for product liability between the purchaser and either the franchisee or the franchisor, and a schedule of compensation to be paid franchisees for the work and services they shall be required to perform in connection with the delivery and preparation obligations shall be filed with the board by franchisors, and shall constitute the compensation as set forth on the schedule. The schedule of compensation shall be reasonable, with the reasonableness thereof being subject to the approval of the board, if a franchisee files a notice of protest with the board. In determining the reasonableness of the schedules, the board shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the time required to perform each function that the dealer is obligated to perform and the appropriate labor rate.
(b)Upon delivery of the vehicle, the franchisee shall give a copy of the delivery and preparation obligations to the purchaser and a written certification that the franchisee has fulfilled these obligations.
SEC. 9.SEC. 10.Section 3078 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3078.(a)If the board receives a complaint from a member of the public seeking a refund involving the sale or lease of, or a replacement of, a recreational vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, from a recreational vehicle dealership, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3072, the board shall recommend that the complainant consult with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b)This chapter does not affect a persons rights regarding a transaction involving a recreational vehicle as defined in subdivision (a), to maintain an action under any other statute, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Title 1.7 (commencing with Section 1790) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 10.SEC. 11.Section 3079 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3079.This article applies only to a recreational vehicle franchise entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 11.SEC. 12.Section 3080 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3080.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076, the board shall fix a time and place of hearing within 60 days of the order, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. The board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3070 or 3072, the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership or relocating an existing recreational vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3074, 3075, or 3076, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3075 or 3076.
SEC. 12.SEC. 13.Section 3081 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3081.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 13.SEC. 14.Section 3082 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3082.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 14.SEC. 15.Section 11705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11705.(a)The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a dealer, transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following:
(1)Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact, in the application for the license.
(2)Made, or knowingly or negligently permitted, an illegal use of the special plates issued to the licensee.
(3)Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made a false statement, or knowingly concealed a material fact, in an application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application.
(4)Failed to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership.
(5)Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle.
(6)Failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between the type of business licensed pursuant to this chapter and any other type of business conducted at the established place of business.
(7)Willfully violated Section 3064, 3065, 3074, or 3075 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(8)Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or subdivision (a) of Section 38200.
(9)Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(10)Violated any provision of Article 1 (commencing with Section 11700) of Chapter 4 of Division 5 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(11)Violated any provision of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(12)Violated any provision of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(13)Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was dishonored or refused payment upon presentation.
(14)Has caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on that person or fraudulent representations made to that person in the course of the licensed activity.
For purposes of this paragraph, fraud includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either actual fraud or constructive fraud as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and deceit has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, fraud and deceit include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code.
For purposes of this paragraph, person also includes a governmental entity.
(15)Failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11707.
(16)Violated Section 43151, 43152, or 43153 of, or subdivision (b) of Section 44072.10 of, the Health and Safety Code.
(17)Failed to repay a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 11703.
(18)As a buy-here-pay-here dealer, violated any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Divisions Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to those provisions.
(b)Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11707, every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 15.SEC. 16.Section 11713.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.1.It is a violation of this code for the holder of a dealers license issued under this article to do any of the following:
(a)Advertise a specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model-year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. An advertisement that offers for sale a class of new vehicles in a dealers inventory, consisting of five or more vehicles, that are all of the same make, model, and model-year is not required to include in the advertisement the vehicle identification numbers or license numbers of those vehicles.
(b)Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at time of sale, except taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as defined in Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, emission testing charges not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, finance charges, and any dealer document processing charge or charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle.
(c)(1)Exclude from an advertisement of a vehicle for sale that there will be added to the advertised total price at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, a charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle, and a dealer document processing charge.
(2)The obligations imposed by paragraph (1) are satisfied by adding to the advertisement a statement containing no abbreviations and that is worded in substantially the following form: Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), advertisement means an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or direct mail publication that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on a Web page of a dealers Internet Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)Represent the dealer document processing charge, electronic registration or transfer charge, or emission testing charge, as a governmental fee.
(e)Fail to sell a vehicle to a person at the advertised total price, exclusive of taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, mobilehome escrow fees, the amount of a city, county, or city and county imposed fee or tax for a mobilehome, a dealer document processing charge, an electronic registration or transfer charge, and a charge for emission testing not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) plus the actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, while the vehicle remains unsold, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. Advertised vehicles shall be sold at or below the advertised total price, with statutorily permitted exclusions, regardless of whether the purchaser has knowledge of the advertised total price.
(f)(1)Advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to a transaction involving the following:
(A)A mobilehome.
(B)A commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C)An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as defined in Section 38012.
(D)A manufactured home.
(E)A new vehicle that will be substantially altered or modified by a converter prior to resale.
(F)A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(G)A vehicle purchased for export and exported outside the territorial limits of the United States without being registered with the department.
(H)A vehicle acquired in the ordinary course of business as a new vehicle by a dealer franchised to sell that vehicle, if all of the following apply:
(i)The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle files a bankruptcy petition.
(ii)The franchise agreement of the dealer is terminated, canceled, or rejected by the manufacturer or distributor as part of the bankruptcy proceedings and the termination, cancellation, or rejection is not a result of the revocation by the department of the dealers license or the dealers conviction of a crime.
(iii)The vehicle is held in the inventory of the dealer on the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(iv)The vehicle is sold by the dealer within six months of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(3)Subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) does not entitle a dealer whose franchise agreement has been terminated, canceled, or rejected to continue to perform warranty service repairs or continue to be eligible to offer or receive consumer or dealer incentives offered by the manufacturer or distributor.
(g)Sell a park trailer, as specified in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, without disclosing in writing to the purchaser that a park trailer is required to be moved by a transporter or a licensed manufacturer or dealer under a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(h)Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a dealer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. Free includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the sellers cost of the merchandise or services.
(i)(1)Advertise vehicles, and related goods or services, at a specified dealer price, with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price. In addition, whether or not there are sufficient vehicles in stock to supply a reasonably expectable demand, when phrases such as starting at, from, beginning as low as, or words of similar import are used in reference to an advertised price, the advertisement shall disclose the number of vehicles available at that advertised price.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, in a newspaper advertisement for a vehicle that is two model-years old or newer, the actual phrase that states the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price shall be printed in a type size that is at least equal to one-quarter of the type size, and in the same style and color of type, used for the advertised price. However, in no case shall the phrase be printed in less than 8-point type size, and the phrase shall be disclosed immediately above, below, or beside the advertised price without intervening words, pictures, marks, or symbols.
(3)The disclosure required by this subdivision is in addition to any other disclosure required by this code or any regulation regarding identifying vehicles advertised for sale.
(j)Use rebate or similar words, including, but not limited to, cash back, in advertising the sale of a vehicle unless the rebate is expressed in a specific dollar amount and is in fact a rebate offered by the vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a finance company affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a regulated utility, or a governmental entity directly to the retail purchaser of the vehicle or to the assignee of the retail purchaser.
(k)Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, cash price has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code.
(l)Advertise a guaranteed trade-in allowance.
(m)Misrepresent the authority of a salesperson, representative, or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n)(1)Use invoice, dealers invoice, wholesale price, or similar terms that refer to a dealers cost for a vehicle in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle or advertise that the selling price of a vehicle is above, below, or at either of the following:
(A)The manufacturers or distributors invoice price to a dealer.
(B)A dealers cost.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(A)A communication occurring during face-to-face negotiations for the purchase of a specific vehicle if the prospective purchaser initiates a discussion of the vehicles invoice price or the dealers cost for that vehicle.
(B)A communication between a dealer and a prospective commercial purchaser that is not disseminated to the general public. For purposes of this subparagraph, a commercial purchaser means a dealer, lessor, lessor-retailer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, financial institution, governmental entity, or person who purchases 10 or more vehicles during a year.
(o)Violate a law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 (commencing with Section 238) of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988.
(p)Make an untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory-installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is fully factory equipped.
(q)Affix on a new vehicle a supplemental price sticker containing a price that represents the dealers asking price that exceeds the manufacturers suggested retail price unless all of the following occur:
(1)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses in the largest print appearing on the sticker, other than the print size used for the dealers name, that the supplemental sticker price is the dealers asking price, or words of similar import, and that it is not the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(2)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(3)The supplemental sticker lists each item that is not included in the manufacturers suggested retail price, and discloses the additional price of each item. If the supplemental sticker price is greater than the sum of the manufacturers suggested retail price and the price of the items added by the dealer, the supplemental sticker price shall set forth that difference and describe it as added mark-up.
(r)Advertise an underselling claim, including, but not limited to, we have the lowest prices or we will beat any dealers price, unless the dealer has conducted a recent survey showing that the dealer sells its vehicles at lower prices than another licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claims. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request.
(s)(1)Advertise an incentive offered by the manufacturer or distributor if the dealer is required to contribute to the cost of the incentive as a condition of participating in the incentive program, unless the dealer discloses in a clear and conspicuous manner that dealer participation may affect consumer cost.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, incentive means anything of value offered to induce people to purchase a vehicle, including, but not limited to, discounts, savings claims, rebates, below-market finance rates, and free merchandise or services.
(t)Display or offer for sale a used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commissions Buyers Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(u)Fail to disclose in writing to the franchisor of a new motor vehicle dealer the name of the purchaser, date of sale, and the vehicle identification number of each new motor vehicle sold of the line-make of that franchisor, or intentionally submit to that franchisor a false name for the purchaser or false date for the date of sale.
(v)Enter into a contract for the retail sale of a motor vehicle unless the contract clearly and conspicuously discloses whether the vehicle is being sold as a new vehicle or a used vehicle, as defined in this code.
(w)Use a simulated check, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22433 of the Business and Professions Code, in an advertisement for the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(x)Fail to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner in at least 10-point boldface type on the face of a contract for the retail sale of a new motor vehicle that this transaction is, or is not, subject to a fee received by an autobroker from the selling new motor vehicle dealer, and the name of the autobroker, if applicable.
(y)Sell or lease a new motor vehicle after October 1, 2012, unless the dealer has a contractual agreement with the department to be a private industry partner pursuant to Section 1685. This subdivision does not apply to the sale or lease of a motorcycle or off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under Section 38010 or a recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z)As used in this section, make and model have the same meaning as is provided in Section 565.12 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 16.SEC. 17.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor distributor, or an entity that controls controls, or is controlled by, a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to the sale or lease, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 17.SEC. 18.Section 11713.23 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.23.(a)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state to or through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise with that recreational vehicle dealer, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3 and that has been signed by both parties.
(b)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3, with a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code, that has been signed by both parties.
(c)(1)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall not ship a new recreational vehicle to a recreational dealer on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(2)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not receive a new recreational vehicle from a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(d)Any new recreational vehicle inventory that has been purchased by a recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, before January 1, 2009, may be sold at any time without a recreational vehicle franchise.
(e)Following the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect, may be sold by that recreational vehicle dealer at any time.
(f)This section applies only to a dealer and manufacturer agreement involving recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include an agreement with a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 18.SEC. 19.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, for the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power or authority of the board, except that three members of the board, who are not new motor vehicle dealers, shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) and the consideration of a petition pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3050 that involves a dispute between a franchisee and franchisor.
SEC. 2.Section 3066 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3066.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3064, 3065, or 3065.1, the board shall fix a time within 60 days of the order, and place of hearing, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. Except in a case involving a franchisee who deals exclusively in motorcycles, the board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060 or 3062 the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing motor vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3064, 3065 or 3065.1, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3065 or 3065.1.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 3.Section 3067 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3067.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 4.Section 3068 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3068.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 5.Section 3072 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.(a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), if a franchisor seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership, or seeks to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area in which the same recreational vehicle line-make is represented, the franchisor shall, in writing, first notify the board and each franchisee in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area of the franchisors intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership. Within 20 days of receiving the notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, any franchisee required to be given the notice may file with the board a protest to the proposed dealership establishment or relocation described in the franchisors notice. If, within this time, a franchisee files with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant an additional 10 days to file the protest. When a protest is filed, the board shall inform the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3080, and that the franchisor shall not establish the proposed dealership or relocate the existing dealership until the board has held a hearing as provided in Section 3080, nor thereafter, if the board has determined that there is good cause for not permitting the establishment of the proposed recreational vehicle dealership or relocation of the existing recreational vehicle dealership. In the event of multiple protests, hearings may be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing on your protest under the terms of the California Vehicle Code if you oppose this action. You must file your protest with the board within 20 days of your receipt of this notice, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure that is provided by us to you. If, within this time, you file with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant you an additional 10 days to file the protest.
(b)Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1)The relocation of an existing dealership to any location that is both within the same city as, and within one mile of, the existing dealership location.
(2)The establishment at any location that is both within the same city as, and within one-quarter mile of, the location of a dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make that has been out of operation for less than 90 days.
(3)A display of vehicles at a fair, exposition, or similar exhibit if no actual sales are made at the event and the display does not exceed 30 days. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a new vehicle dealer from establishing a branch office for the purpose of selling vehicles at the fair, exposition, or similar exhibit, even though that event is sponsored by a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, or by a financial institution and a licensed dealer. The establishment of these branch offices, however, shall be in accordance with subdivision (a) where applicable.
(4)An annual show sponsored by a national trade association of recreational vehicle manufacturers that complies with all of the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 11713.15.
(c)For the purposes of this section, the reopening of a dealership that has not been in operation for one year or more shall be deemed the establishment of an additional recreational vehicle dealership.
(d)For the purposes of this section and Section 3073, a recreational vehicle dealership or dealership is any authorized facility at which a franchisee offers for sale or lease, displays for sale or lease, or sells or leases new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code. A recreational vehicle dealership or dealership does not include a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 6.Section 3072.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.5.For the purposes of this article, a recreational vehicle line-make is a group or groups of recreational vehicles defined by the terms of a written agreement that complies with Section 331.3.
SEC. 7.Section 3073 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3073.In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into a recreational vehicle franchise or relocating an existing dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make, the board shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a)The permanency of the investment.
(b)The effect on the retail recreational vehicle business and the consuming public in the relevant market area.
(c)Whether it is injurious to the public welfare for an additional recreational vehicle franchise to be established or an existing dealership be relocated.
(d)Whether the franchisees of the same recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the recreational vehicle line-make in the market area. In making this determination, the board shall consider the adequacy of recreational vehicle sales and, if required by the franchise, service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel.
(e)Whether the establishment of an additional franchise would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.
SEC. 8.Section 3074 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3074.(a)A franchisor shall specify to its franchisees the delivery and preparation obligations of the franchisees prior to delivery of new recreational vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations, which shall constitute the franchisees only responsibility for product liability between the franchisee and the franchisor but which shall not in any way affect the franchisees responsibility for product liability between the purchaser and either the franchisee or the franchisor, and a schedule of compensation to be paid franchisees for the work and services they shall be required to perform in connection with the delivery and preparation obligations shall be filed with the board by franchisors, and shall constitute the compensation as set forth on the schedule. The schedule of compensation shall be reasonable, with the reasonableness thereof being subject to the approval of the board, if a franchisee files a notice of protest with the board. In determining the reasonableness of the schedules, the board shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the time required to perform each function that the dealer is obligated to perform and the appropriate labor rate.
(b)Upon delivery of the vehicle, the franchisee shall give a copy of the delivery and preparation obligations to the purchaser and a written certification that the franchisee has fulfilled these obligations.
SEC. 9.Section 3078 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3078.(a)If the board receives a complaint from a member of the public seeking a refund involving the sale or lease of, or a replacement of, a recreational vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, from a recreational vehicle dealership, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3072, the board shall recommend that the complainant consult with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b)This chapter does not affect a persons rights regarding a transaction involving a recreational vehicle as defined in subdivision (a), to maintain an action under any other statute, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Title 1.7 (commencing with Section 1790) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 10.Section 3079 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3079.This article applies only to a recreational vehicle franchise entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 11.Section 3080 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3080.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076, the board shall fix a time and place of hearing within 60 days of the order, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. The board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3070 or 3072, the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership or relocating an existing recreational vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3074, 3075, or 3076, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3075 or 3076.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer or recreational vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 12.Section 3081 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3081.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 13.Section 3082 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3082.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 14.Section 11705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11705.(a)The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a dealer, transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following:
(1)Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact, in the application for the license.
(2)Made, or knowingly or negligently permitted, an illegal use of the special plates issued to the licensee.
(3)Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made a false statement, or knowingly concealed a material fact, in an application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application.
(4)Failed to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership.
(5)Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle.
(6)Failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between the type of business licensed pursuant to this chapter and any other type of business conducted at the established place of business.
(7)Willfully violated Section 3064, 3065, 3074, or 3075 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(8)Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or subdivision (a) of Section 38200.
(9)Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(10)Violated any provision of Article 1 (commencing with Section 11700) of Chapter 4 of Division 5 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(11)Violated any provision of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(12)Violated any provision of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(13)Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was dishonored or refused payment upon presentation.
(14)Has caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on that person or fraudulent representations made to that person in the course of the licensed activity.
For purposes of this paragraph, fraud includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either actual fraud or constructive fraud as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and deceit has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, fraud and deceit include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code.
For purposes of this paragraph, person also includes a governmental entity.
(15)Failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11707.
(16)Violated Section 43151, 43152, or 43153 of, or subdivision (b) of Section 44072.10 of, the Health and Safety Code.
(17)Failed to repay a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 11703.
(18)As a buy-here-pay-here dealer, violated any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Divisions 3 of the Business and Professions Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to those provisions.
(b)Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11707, every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 15.Section 11713.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.1.It is a violation of this code for the holder of a dealers license issued under this article to do any of the following:
(a)Advertise a specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model-year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. An advertisement that offers for sale a class of new vehicles in a dealers inventory, consisting of five or more vehicles, that are all of the same make, model, and model-year is not required to include in the advertisement the vehicle identification numbers or license numbers of those vehicles.
(b)Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at time of sale, except taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as defined in Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, emission testing charges not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, finance charges, and any dealer document processing charge or charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle.
(c)(1)Exclude from an advertisement of a vehicle for sale that there will be added to the advertised total price at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, a charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle, and a dealer document processing charge.
(2)The obligations imposed by paragraph (1) are satisfied by adding to the advertisement a statement containing no abbreviations and that is worded in substantially the following form: Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), advertisement means an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or direct mail publication that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on a Web page of a dealers Internet Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)Represent the dealer document processing charge, electronic registration or transfer charge, or emission testing charge, as a governmental fee.
(e)Fail to sell a vehicle to a person at the advertised total price, exclusive of taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, mobilehome escrow fees, the amount of a city, county, or city and county imposed fee or tax for a mobilehome, a dealer document processing charge, an electronic registration or transfer charge, and a charge for emission testing not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) plus the actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, while the vehicle remains unsold, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. Advertised vehicles shall be sold at or below the advertised total price, with statutorily permitted exclusions, regardless of whether the purchaser has knowledge of the advertised total price.
(f)(1)Advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to a transaction involving the following:
(A)A mobilehome.
(B)A commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C)An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as defined in Section 38012.
(D)A manufactured home.
(E)A new vehicle that will be substantially altered or modified by a converter prior to resale.
(F)A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(G)A vehicle purchased for export and exported outside the territorial limits of the United States without being registered with the department.
(H)A vehicle acquired in the ordinary course of business as a new vehicle by a dealer franchised to sell that vehicle, if all of the following apply:
(i)The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle files a bankruptcy petition.
(ii)The franchise agreement of the dealer is terminated, canceled, or rejected by the manufacturer or distributor as part of the bankruptcy proceedings and the termination, cancellation, or rejection is not a result of the revocation by the department of the dealers license or the dealers conviction of a crime.
(iii)The vehicle is held in the inventory of the dealer on the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(iv)The vehicle is sold by the dealer within six months of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(3)Subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) does not entitle a dealer whose franchise agreement has been terminated, canceled, or rejected to continue to perform warranty service repairs or continue to be eligible to offer or receive consumer or dealer incentives offered by the manufacturer or distributor.
(g)Sell a park trailer, as specified in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, without disclosing in writing to the purchaser that a park trailer is required to be moved by a transporter or a licensed manufacturer or dealer under a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(h)Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a dealer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. Free includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the sellers cost of the merchandise or services.
(i)(1)Advertise vehicles, and related goods or services, at a specified dealer price, with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price. In addition, whether or not there are sufficient vehicles in stock to supply a reasonably expectable demand, when phrases such as starting at, from, beginning as low as, or words of similar import are used in reference to an advertised price, the advertisement shall disclose the number of vehicles available at that advertised price.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, in a newspaper advertisement for a vehicle that is two model-years old or newer, the actual phrase that states the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price shall be printed in a type size that is at least equal to one-quarter of the type size, and in the same style and color of type, used for the advertised price. However, in no case shall the phrase be printed in less than 8-point type size, and the phrase shall be disclosed immediately above, below, or beside the advertised price without intervening words, pictures, marks, or symbols.
(3)The disclosure required by this subdivision is in addition to any other disclosure required by this code or any regulation regarding identifying vehicles advertised for sale.
(j)Use rebate or similar words, including, but not limited to, cash back, in advertising the sale of a vehicle unless the rebate is expressed in a specific dollar amount and is in fact a rebate offered by the vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a finance company affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a regulated utility, or a governmental entity directly to the retail purchaser of the vehicle or to the assignee of the retail purchaser.
(k)Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, cash price has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code.
(l)Advertise a guaranteed trade-in allowance.
(m)Misrepresent the authority of a salesperson, representative, or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n)(1)Use invoice, dealers invoice, wholesale price, or similar terms that refer to a dealers cost for a vehicle in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle or advertise that the selling price of a vehicle is above, below, or at either of the following:
(A)The manufacturers or distributors invoice price to a dealer.
(B)A dealers cost.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(A)A communication occurring during face-to-face negotiations for the purchase of a specific vehicle if the prospective purchaser initiates a discussion of the vehicles invoice price or the dealers cost for that vehicle.
(B)A communication between a dealer and a prospective commercial purchaser that is not disseminated to the general public. For purposes of this subparagraph, a commercial purchaser means a dealer, lessor, lessor-retailer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, financial institution, governmental entity, or person who purchases 10 or more vehicles during a year.
(o)Violate a law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 (commencing with Section 238) of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988.
(p)Make an untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory-installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is fully factory equipped.
(q)Affix on a new vehicle a supplemental price sticker containing a price that represents the dealers asking price that exceeds the manufacturers suggested retail price unless all of the following occur:
(1)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses in the largest print appearing on the sticker, other than the print size used for the dealers name, that the supplemental sticker price is the dealers asking price, or words of similar import, and that it is not the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(2)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(3)The supplemental sticker lists each item that is not included in the manufacturers suggested retail price, and discloses the additional price of each item. If the supplemental sticker price is greater than the sum of the manufacturers suggested retail price and the price of the items added by the dealer, the supplemental sticker price shall set forth that difference and describe it as added mark-up.
(r)Advertise an underselling claim, including, but not limited to, we have the lowest prices or we will beat any dealers price, unless the dealer has conducted a recent survey showing that the dealer sells its vehicles at lower prices than another licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claims. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request.
(s)(1)Advertise an incentive offered by the manufacturer or distributor if the dealer is required to contribute to the cost of the incentive as a condition of participating in the incentive program, unless the dealer discloses in a clear and conspicuous manner that dealer participation may affect consumer cost.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, incentive means anything of value offered to induce people to purchase a vehicle, including, but not limited to, discounts, savings claims, rebates, below-market finance rates, and free merchandise or services.
(t)Display or offer for sale a used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commissions Buyers Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(u)Fail to disclose in writing to the franchisor of a new motor vehicle dealer the name of the purchaser, date of sale, and the vehicle identification number of each new motor vehicle sold of the line-make of that franchisor, or intentionally submit to that franchisor a false name for the purchaser or false date for the date of sale.
(v)Enter into a contract for the retail sale of a motor vehicle unless the contract clearly and conspicuously discloses whether the vehicle is being sold as a new vehicle or a used vehicle, as defined in this code.
(w)Use a simulated check, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22433 of the Business and Professions Code, in an advertisement for the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(x)Fail to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner in at least 10-point boldface type on the face of a contract for the retail sale of a new motor vehicle that this transaction is, or is not, subject to a fee received by an autobroker from the selling new motor vehicle dealer, and the name of the autobroker, if applicable.
(y)Sell or lease a new motor vehicle after October 1, 2012, unless the dealer has a contractual agreement with the department to be a private industry partner pursuant to Section 1685. This subdivision does not apply to the sale or lease of a motorcycle or off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under Section 38010 or a recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z)As used in this section, make and model have the same meaning as is provided in Section 565.12 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 16.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by, a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to the sale or lease, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 17.Section 11713.23 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.23.(a)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state to or through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise with that recreational vehicle dealer, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3 and that has been signed by both parties.
(b)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3, with a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code, that has been signed by both parties.
(c)(1)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall not ship a new recreational vehicle to a recreational dealer on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(2)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not receive a new recreational vehicle from a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(d)Any new recreational vehicle inventory that has been purchased by a recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, before January 1, 2009, may be sold at any time without a recreational vehicle franchise.
(e)Following the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect, may be sold by that recreational vehicle dealer at any time.
(f)This section applies only to a dealer and manufacturer agreement involving recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include an agreement with a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 18.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, for the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power or authority of the board, except that three members of the board, who are not new motor vehicle dealers, shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) and the consideration of a petition pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3050 that involves a dispute between a franchisee and franchisor.
SEC. 2.Section 3066 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3066.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3064, 3065, 3065.1, 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076 or 3065.1, the board shall fix a time within 60 days of the order, and place of hearing, and shall send by registered certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. Except in a case involving a franchisee who deals exclusively in motorcycles, the board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing may shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3060, 3062, 3070, or 3072, or 3062 the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing or relocating an additional motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing motor vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3064, 3065, 3065.1, 3074, 3075, or 3076, or 3065.1, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor where when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3065, 3065.1, 3075, or 3076 or 3065.1.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 3.Section 3067 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3067.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070). article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision where when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by registered certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 4.Section 3068 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3068.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for such the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by registered certified mail.
SEC. 5.Section 3072 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.(a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), if a franchisor seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional motor recreational vehicle dealership within, or seeks to relocate an existing recreational vehicle dealership, that has a relevant market area where in which the same recreational vehicle line-make is then represented, or seeks to relocate an existing motor vehicle dealership, represented, the franchisor shall, in writing, first notify the board and each franchisee in that recreational vehicle line-make in the relevant market area of the franchisors intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership within or into that market area. dealership. Within 20 days of receiving the notice, satisfying the requirements of this section, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the franchisor, any franchisee required to be given the notice may file with the board a protest to establishing or relocating the dealership the proposed dealership establishment or relocation described in the franchisors notice. If, within this time, a franchisee files with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its secretary executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant an additional 10 days to file the protest. When a protest is filed, the board shall inform the franchisor that a timely protest has been filed, that a hearing is required pursuant to Section 3066 3080, and that the franchisor shall not establish or relocate the proposed dealership or relocate the existing dealership until the board has held a hearing as provided in Section 3066 3080, nor thereafter, if the board has determined that there is good cause for not permitting the establishment of the proposed recreational vehicle dealership or relocation of the existing recreational vehicle dealership. In the event of multiple protests, hearings may be consolidated to expedite the disposition of the issue.
(2)The written notice shall contain, on the first page thereof in at least 12-point bold type and circumscribed by a line to segregate it from the rest of the text, the following statement:
NOTICE TO DEALER: You have the right to file a protest with the NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD in Sacramento and have a hearing on your protest under the terms of the California Vehicle Code if you oppose this action. You must file your protest with the board within 20 days of your receipt of this notice, or within 20 days after the end of any appeal procedure that is provided by us to you. If, within this time, you file with the board a request for additional time to file a protest, the board or its secretary executive director, upon a showing of good cause, may grant you an additional 10 days to file the protest.
(b)Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1)The relocation of an existing dealership to any location that is both within the same city as, and within one mile of, the existing dealership location.
(2)The establishment at any location that is both within the same city as, and within one-quarter mile of, the location of a dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make that has been out of operation for less than 90 days.
(3)A display of vehicles at a fair, exposition, or similar exhibit if no actual sales are made at the event and the display does not exceed 30 days. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a new vehicle dealer from establishing a branch office for the purpose of selling vehicles at the fair, exposition, or similar exhibit, even though that event is sponsored by a financial institution, as defined in Section 31041 of the Financial Code, or by a financial institution and a licensed dealer. The establishment of these branch offices, however, shall be in accordance with subdivision (a) where applicable.
(4)An annual show sponsored by a national trade association of recreational vehicle manufacturers that complies with all of the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 11713.15.
(5)A motor vehicle dealership protesting the location of another dealership with the same recreational vehicle line-make within its relevant market area, if the dealership location subject to the protest was established on or before January 1, 2004.
(c)For the purposes of this section, the reopening of a dealership that has not been in operation for one year or more shall be deemed the establishment of an additional motor recreational vehicle dealership.
(d)For the purposes of this section and Section 3073, a motor recreational vehicle dealership or dealership is any authorized facility at which a franchisee offers for sale or lease, displays for sale or lease, or sells or leases new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code. A motor recreational vehicle dealership or dealership does not include a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 6.Section 3072.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3072.5.For the purposes of this article, a recreational vehicle line-make is a group or groups of recreational vehicles defined by the terms of a written agreement that complies with Section 331 331.3.
SEC. 7.Section 3073 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3073.In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into a recreational vehicle franchise or relocating an additional franchise for existing dealership of the same recreational vehicle line-make, the board shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a)The permanency of the investment.
(b)The effect on the retail recreational vehicle business and the consuming public in the relevant market area.
(c)Whether it is injurious to the public welfare for an additional recreational vehicle franchise to be established or an existing dealership be relocated.
(d)Whether the franchisees of the same recreational vehicle line-make in that the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the recreational vehicle line-make in the market area. In making this determination, the board shall consider the adequacy of recreational vehicle sales and, if required by the franchise, service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel.
(e)Whether the establishment of an additional franchise would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.
SEC. 8.Section 3074 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3074.(a)A franchisor shall specify to its franchisees the delivery and preparation obligations of the franchisees prior to delivery of new recreational vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations, which shall constitute the franchisees only responsibility for product liability between the franchisee and the franchisor but which shall not in any way affect the franchisees responsibility for product liability between the purchaser and either the franchisee or the franchisor, and a schedule of compensation to be paid franchisees for the work and services they shall be required to perform in connection with the delivery and preparation obligations shall be filed with the board by franchisors, and shall constitute the compensation as set forth on the schedule. The schedule of compensation shall be reasonable, with the reasonableness thereof being subject to the approval of the board, providing if a franchisee files a notice of protest with the board. In determining the reasonableness of the schedules, the board shall consider all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the time required to perform each function that the dealer is obligated to perform and the appropriate labor rate.
(b)Upon delivery of the vehicle, the franchisee shall give a copy of the delivery and preparation obligations to the purchaser and a written certification that he or she the franchisee has fulfilled these obligations.
SEC. 9.Section 3078 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3078.(a)If the board receives a complaint from a member of the public seeking a refund involving the sale or lease of, or a replacement of, a recreational vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, from a motor recreational vehicle dealership, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) subdivision (d) of Section 3072, the board shall recommend that the complainant consult with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b)Nothing in this This chapter affects does not affect a persons rights regarding a transaction involving a recreational vehicle as defined in subdivision (a), to maintain an action under any other statute, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Title 1.7 (commencing with Section 1790) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 10.Section 3079 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3079.This article applies only to a recreational vehicle franchise entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.
SEC. 11.Section 3080 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3080.(a)Upon receiving a protest pursuant to Section 3070, 3072, 3074, 3075, or 3076, the board shall fix a time and place of hearing within 60 days of the order, and shall send by certified mail a copy of the order to the franchisor, the protesting franchisee, and all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions of the board. The board or its executive director may, upon a showing of good cause, accelerate or postpone the date initially established for a hearing, but the hearing shall not be rescheduled more than 90 days after the boards initial order. For the purpose of accelerating or postponing a hearing date, good cause includes, but is not limited to, the effects upon, and any irreparable harm to, the parties or interested persons or groups if the request for a change in hearing date is not granted. The board or an administrative law judge designated by the board shall hear and consider the oral and documented evidence introduced by the parties and other interested individuals and groups, and the board shall make its decision solely on the record so made. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Sections 11507.3, 11507.6, 11507.7, 11511, 11511.5, 11513, 11514, 11515, and 11517 of the Government Code apply to these proceedings.
(b)In a hearing on a protest filed pursuant to Section 3070 or 3072, the franchisor shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause to modify, replace, terminate, or refuse to continue a franchise. The franchisee shall have the burden of proof to establish that there is good cause not to enter into a franchise establishing an additional recreational vehicle dealership or relocating an existing recreational vehicle dealership.
(c)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in a hearing on a protest alleging a violation of, or filed pursuant to, Section 3074, 3075, or 3076, the franchisee shall have the burden of proof, but the franchisor has the burden of proof to establish that a franchisee acted with intent to defraud the franchisor when that issue is material to a protest filed pursuant to Section 3075 or 3076.
(d)A member of the board who is a new motor vehicle dealer or recreational vehicle dealer may not participate in, hear, comment, or advise other members upon, or decide, a matter involving a protest filed pursuant to this article unless all parties to the protest stipulate otherwise.
SEC. 12.Section 3081 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3081.(a)The decision of the board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. The decision shall sustain, conditionally sustain, overrule, or conditionally overrule the protest. Conditions imposed by the board shall be for the purpose of assuring performance of binding contractual agreements between franchisees and franchisors or otherwise serving the purposes of this article. If the board fails to act within 30 days after the hearing, within 30 days after the board receives a proposed decision when the case is heard before an administrative law judge alone, or within a period necessitated by Section 11517 of the Government Code, or as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, then the proposed action shall be deemed to be approved. Copies of the boards decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent to them by certified mail, as well as to all individuals and groups that have requested notification by the board of protests and decisions by the board. The boards decision shall be final upon its delivery or mailing and a reconsideration or rehearing is not permitted.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 11517 of the Government Code, if a protest is heard by an administrative law judge alone, 10 days after receipt by the board of the administrative law judges proposed decision, a copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by the board as a public record and a copy shall be served by the board on each party and his or her attorney.
SEC. 13.Section 3082 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:3082.Either party may seek judicial review of final decisions of the board. Time for filing for the review shall not be more than 45 days from the date on which the final order of the board is made public and is delivered to the parties personally or is sent to them by certified mail.
SEC. 14.Section 11705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11705.(a)The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a dealer, transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following:
(1)Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact, in the application for the license.
(2)Made, or knowingly or negligently permitted, an illegal use of the special plates issued to the licensee.
(3)Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made a false statement, or knowingly concealed a material fact, in an application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application.
(4)Failed to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership.
(5)Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle.
(6)Failed to provide and maintain a clear physical division between the type of business licensed pursuant to this chapter and any other type of business conducted at the established place of business.
(7)Willfully violated Section 3064 or 3065 3064, 3065, 3074, or 3075 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(8)Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or subdivision (a) of Section 38200.
(9)Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(10)Violated any provision of Article 1 (commencing with Section 11700) of Chapter 4 of Division 5 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(11)Violated any provision of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(12)Violated any provision of Chapter 3332b 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.
(13)Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was dishonored or refused payment upon presentation.
(14)Has caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on that person or fraudulent representations made to that person in the course of the licensed activity.
For purposes of this paragraph, fraud includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either actual fraud or constructive fraud as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and deceit has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, fraud and deceit include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code.
For purposes of this paragraph, person also includes a governmental entity.
(15)Failed to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11707.
(16)Violated Section 43151, 43152, or 43153 of, or subdivision (b) of Section 44072.10 of, the Health and Safety Code.
(17)Failed to repay a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 11703.
(18)As a buy-here-pay-here dealer, violated any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Divisions 3 of the Business and Professions Code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to those provisions.
(b)Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a transporter, manufacturer, manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or dealer.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11707, every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 15.Section 11713.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.1.It is a violation of this code for the holder of a dealers license issued under this article to do any of the following:
(a)Advertise a specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model-year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. An advertisement that offers for sale a class of new vehicles in a dealers inventory, consisting of five or more vehicles, that are all of the same make, model, and model-year is not required to include in the advertisement the vehicle identification numbers or license numbers of those vehicles.
(b)Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at time of sale, except taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as defined in Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, emission testing charges not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, finance charges, and any dealer document processing charge or charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle.
(c)(1)Exclude from an advertisement of a vehicle for sale that there will be added to the advertised total price at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, a charge to electronically register or transfer the vehicle, and a dealer document processing charge.
(2)The obligations imposed by paragraph (1) are satisfied by adding to the advertisement a statement containing no abbreviations and that is worded in substantially the following form: Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), advertisement means an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or direct mail publication that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on a Web page of a dealers Internet Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)Represent the dealer document processing charge, electronic registration or transfer charge, or emission testing charge, as a governmental fee.
(e)Fail to sell a vehicle to a person at the advertised total price, exclusive of taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of a certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to a statute, finance charges, mobilehome escrow fees, the amount of a city, county, or city and county imposed fee or tax for a mobilehome, a dealer document processing charge, an electronic registration or transfer charge, and a charge for emission testing not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) plus the actual fees charged for certificates pursuant to Section 44060 of the Health and Safety Code, while the vehicle remains unsold, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. Advertised vehicles shall be sold at or below the advertised total price, with statutorily permitted exclusions, regardless of whether the purchaser has knowledge of the advertised total price.
(f)(1)Advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to a transaction involving the following:
(A)A mobilehome.
(B)A recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C)
(B)A commercial coach, as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
(D)
(C)An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as defined in Section 38012.
(E)
(D)A manufactured home.
(F)
(E)A new vehicle that will be substantially altered or modified by a converter prior to resale.
(G)
(F)A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
(H)
(G)A vehicle purchased for export and exported outside the territorial limits of the United States without being registered with the department.
(I)
(H)A vehicle acquired in the ordinary course of business as a new vehicle by a dealer franchised to sell that vehicle, if all of the following apply:
(i)The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle files a bankruptcy petition.
(ii)The franchise agreement of the dealer is terminated, canceled, or rejected by the manufacturer or distributor as part of the bankruptcy proceedings and the termination, cancellation, or rejection is not a result of the revocation by the department of the dealers license or the dealers conviction of a crime.
(iii)The vehicle is held in the inventory of the dealer on the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(iv)The vehicle is sold by the dealer within six months of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.
(3)Subparagraph (I) (H) of paragraph (2) does not entitle a dealer whose franchise agreement has been terminated, canceled, or rejected to continue to perform warranty service repairs or continue to be eligible to offer or receive consumer or dealer incentives offered by the manufacturer or distributor.
(g)Sell a park trailer, as specified in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, without disclosing in writing to the purchaser that a park trailer is required to be moved by a transporter or a licensed manufacturer or dealer under a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(h)Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a dealer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. Free includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the sellers cost of the merchandise or services.
(i)(1)Advertise vehicles, and related goods or services, at a specified dealer price, with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price. In addition, whether or not there are sufficient vehicles in stock to supply a reasonably expectable demand, when phrases such as starting at, from, beginning as low as, or words of similar import are used in reference to an advertised price, the advertisement shall disclose the number of vehicles available at that advertised price.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, in a newspaper advertisement for a vehicle that is two model-years old or newer, the actual phrase that states the number of vehicles in stock at the advertised price shall be printed in a type size that is at least equal to one-quarter of the type size, and in the same style and color of type, used for the advertised price. However, in no case shall the phrase be printed in less than 8-point type size, and the phrase shall be disclosed immediately above, below, or beside the advertised price without intervening words, pictures, marks, or symbols.
(3)The disclosure required by this subdivision is in addition to any other disclosure required by this code or any regulation regarding identifying vehicles advertised for sale.
(j)Use rebate or similar words, including, but not limited to, cash back, in advertising the sale of a vehicle unless the rebate is expressed in a specific dollar amount and is in fact a rebate offered by the vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a finance company affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor, a regulated utility, or a governmental entity directly to the retail purchaser of the vehicle or to the assignee of the retail purchaser.
(k)Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, cash price has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code.
(l)Advertise a guaranteed trade-in allowance.
(m)Misrepresent the authority of a salesperson, representative, or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n)(1)Use invoice, dealers invoice, wholesale price, or similar terms that refer to a dealers cost for a vehicle in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle or advertise that the selling price of a vehicle is above, below, or at either of the following:
(A)The manufacturers or distributors invoice price to a dealer.
(B)A dealers cost.
(2)This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:
(A)A communication occurring during face-to-face negotiations for the purchase of a specific vehicle if the prospective purchaser initiates a discussion of the vehicles invoice price or the dealers cost for that vehicle.
(B)A communication between a dealer and a prospective commercial purchaser that is not disseminated to the general public. For purposes of this subparagraph, a commercial purchaser means a dealer, lessor, lessor-retailer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, distributor, financial institution, governmental entity, or person who purchases 10 or more vehicles during a year.
(o)Violate a law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 (commencing with Section 238) of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988.
(p)Make an untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory-installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is fully factory equipped.
(q)Affix on a new vehicle a supplemental price sticker containing a price that represents the dealers asking price that exceeds the manufacturers suggested retail price unless all of the following occur:
(1)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses in the largest print appearing on the sticker, other than the print size used for the dealers name, that the supplemental sticker price is the dealers asking price, or words of similar import, and that it is not the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(2)The supplemental sticker clearly and conspicuously discloses the manufacturers suggested retail price.
(3)The supplemental sticker lists each item that is not included in the manufacturers suggested retail price, and discloses the additional price of each item. If the supplemental sticker price is greater than the sum of the manufacturers suggested retail price and the price of the items added by the dealer, the supplemental sticker price shall set forth that difference and describe it as added mark-up.
(r)Advertise an underselling claim, including, but not limited to, we have the lowest prices or we will beat any dealers price, unless the dealer has conducted a recent survey showing that the dealer sells its vehicles at lower prices than another licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claims. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request.
(s)(1)Advertise an incentive offered by the manufacturer or distributor if the dealer is required to contribute to the cost of the incentive as a condition of participating in the incentive program, unless the dealer discloses in a clear and conspicuous manner that dealer participation may affect consumer cost.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, incentive means anything of value offered to induce people to purchase a vehicle, including, but not limited to, discounts, savings claims, rebates, below-market finance rates, and free merchandise or services.
(t)Display or offer for sale a used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commissions Buyers Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(u)Fail to disclose in writing to the franchisor of a new motor vehicle dealer the name of the purchaser, date of sale, and the vehicle identification number of each new motor vehicle sold of the line-make of that franchisor, or intentionally submit to that franchisor a false name for the purchaser or false date for the date of sale.
(v)Enter into a contract for the retail sale of a motor vehicle unless the contract clearly and conspicuously discloses whether the vehicle is being sold as a new vehicle or a used vehicle, as defined in this code.
(w)Use a simulated check, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22433 of the Business and Professions Code, in an advertisement for the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(x)Fail to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner in at least 10-point boldface type on the face of a contract for the retail sale of a new motor vehicle that this transaction is, or is not, subject to a fee received by an autobroker from the selling new motor vehicle dealer, and the name of the autobroker, if applicable.
(y)Sell or lease a new motor vehicle after October 1, 2012, unless the dealer has a contractual agreement with the department to be a private industry partner pursuant to Section 1685. This subdivision does not apply to the sale or lease of a motorcycle or off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under Section 38010 or a recreational vehicle as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z)As used in this section, make and model have the same meaning as is provided in Section 565.12 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 16.Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:
(a)To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles as are covered by the franchise, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(b)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c)To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2)(A)For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisees decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i)The proposed transferees name and address.
(ii)A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii)The proposed transferees application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferees application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make the application complete.
(B)For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3)In an action in which the manufacturers or distributors withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e)To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealers franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned upon the release, assignment, novation, waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f)To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A)Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B)Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C)Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D)Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms motor vehicle and motor vehicle franchise contract shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2)An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and void.
(3)This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A)Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B)Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C)Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D)Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E)Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F)Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i)Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii)Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G)Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealers election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H)(i)Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I)The approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II)The planning potential used to establish the proposed dealerships facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III)An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV)Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the proposed dealership.
(V)The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI)If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII)The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h)To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealers receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealers inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1)The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2)Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i)To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealers inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j)To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k)To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l)To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m)To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n)To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o)(1)To compete with a dealer in the same line-make operating under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer or distributor in the relevant market area.
(2)A manufacturer, branch, or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by, a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A)Owning or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B)Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i)The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii)The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii)The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C)Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(3)(A)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B)A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(p)To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(q)To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r)To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s)To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t)To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2)The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4)The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a family member means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5)Upon the franchisors exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6)The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisees operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days of the proposed transferees receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days of exercising the right of first refusal.
(u)(1)To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A)The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i)A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii)A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii)Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv)Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B)Referring a prospective purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2)This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v)(1)To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w)(1)To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A)The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B)The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i)Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealers computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii)Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealers computer system.
(2)Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x)(1)To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate. For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B)Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C)Measuring a dealers performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D)Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E)Conditioning access to vehicles or parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(2)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3)This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as certified under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4)Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser
(y)To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing prior to the sale or lease, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition at the time of sale or lease. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customers intent to export or resell the vehicle.
(z)As used in this section, area of responsibility is a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisees performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 17.Section 11713.23 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.23.(a)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state to or through a recreational vehicle dealer without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise with that recreational vehicle dealer, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3 and that has been signed by both parties.
(b)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a written recreational vehicle franchise, that complies with the requirements of Section 331.3, with a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code, that has been signed by both parties.
(c)(1)A recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall not ship a new recreational vehicle to a recreational dealer on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(2)A recreational vehicle dealer shall not receive a new recreational vehicle from a recreational vehicle manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch on or after January 1, 2009, without a recreational vehicle franchise that has been signed by both parties.
(d)Any new recreational vehicle inventory that has been purchased by a recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, before January 1, 2009, may be sold at any time without a recreational vehicle franchise.
(e)Following the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a recreational vehicle franchise, any new recreational vehicle inventory that was purchased by the recreational vehicle dealer, or shipped by a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, during the period that the written recreational vehicle franchise was in effect, may be sold by that recreational vehicle dealer at any time.
(e)
(f)This section applies only to a dealer and manufacturer agreement involving recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, but does not include an agreement with a dealer who deals exclusively in truck campers.
SEC. 18.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Aug 18, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Oct 1, 2015 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 407, Statutes of 2015. |
| Oct 1, 2015 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 18, 2015 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Sep 10, 2015 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0.). |
| Sep 10, 2015 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3077.). |
| Sep 10, 2015 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Sep 9, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2631.). |
| Sep 9, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Sep 9, 2015 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Sep 8, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Sep 4, 2015 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Sep 1, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 31, 2015 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Aug 20, 2015 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 20, 2015 | From Consent Calendar. |
| Feb 25, 2015 | Read first time. To print. |
| Aug 17, 2015 | From committee: Be placed on second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar. |
| Jul 15, 2015 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun 16, 2015 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Jun 10, 2015 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| May 14, 2015 | Referred to Com. on T. & H. |
| Apr 30, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1224.) |
| Apr 30, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Apr 30, 2015 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Apr 23, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 22, 2015 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 22). |
| Apr 7, 2015 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 6). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 6, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on TRANS. |
| Mar 26, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 12, 2015 | Referred to Com. on TRANS. |
| Feb 26, 2015 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 28. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2015 | AB 759 LINDER Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 9, 2015 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB759 Linder By Bates | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jul 14, 2015 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Housing |
Passed |
|
| Apr 30, 2015 | AB 759 LINDER Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 22, 2015 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 6, 2015 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association, co-sponsor | ** Support | Sep 9, 2015 |
| California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association | ** Support | Sep 9, 2015 |
| Recreational Vehicle Industry Association | ** Support | Sep 9, 2015 |
| Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, co-sponsor | ** Support | Sep 9, 2015 |
AB 759
Page 3
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 759
(Linder)
As Amended September 4, 2015
Majority vote
ASSEMBLY: |
77-0 |
(April 30, 2015) |
SENATE: |
39-0 |
(September 9, 2015) |
Original Committee Reference: TRANS.
SUMMARY: Expressly authorizes recreational vehicle (RV) dealers to sell remaining inventory after a franchise agreement ends and makes other technical amendments related to automobile and RV franchise agreements and their oversight by the New Motor Vehicle Board (Board).
The Senate amendments:
Add cross references to existing code sections with new code sections created by this bill.
Add provisions from AB 1178 (Achadjian) of the current legislative session, to avoid chaptering out conflicts.
Make related, technical amendments.
EXISTING LAW:
Charges the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with licensing and regulating dealers, manufacturers, and distributors of motor vehicles that conduct business in California.
Establishes the Board as a program within DMV, with oversight provided by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).
Authorizes the Board to act in a quasi-judicial capacity to resolve disputes between franchise dealers and manufacturers/distributors of new motor vehicles, including motorcycles and RVs.
Prescribes the Board's operational procedures.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY, this bill:
Created separate and distinct code sections for Board oversight procedures of automobile franchises and RV franchises.
Established operational requirements for the Board's oversight of RV franchise agreements, similar to those currently used for automobile franchises, including:
Established quorum standards;
Established judicial review procedures;
Established protest hearing procedures; and,
Established document mailing procedures.
Expressly authorized RV dealers to sell remaining inventory after a franchise agreement has been terminated, cancelled, or is not renewed.
Made related clarifying and conforming changes.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS: The Board was created in 1967 as the New Car Dealers Policy and Appeals Board. At the time of its inception, the Board's functions were limited to hearing appeals that arose from final decisions made by the DMV. In 1973, the Legislature passed the California Automobile Franchise Act, which gave the Board its present name and tasked it with regulating and settling disputes in the new motor vehicle industry. The Board's current mission is to enhance relations between dealers and manufactures of automobiles, RV's, and motorcycles by resolving disputes in the industry in an efficient, fair, and cost-effective manner.
According to the author, existing law contains extensive provisions relating to the Board's role in resolving franchise disputes between auto manufacturers and dealers. He notes that over time, provisions have been added and amendments have been made to include reference to RV's along with automobiles. The author notes, however, that inclusion of RV references have been "spotty" and inconsistent. Specifically, the author notes that "One problem is that existing provisions in the auto[mobile] sections sometimes reference RVs, and sometimes the RV sections contain references to motor vehicles." The author, along with the sponsors, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (CalRVDA), contend that separating provisions relating to automobiles from those relating to RVs with respect to Board oversight is needed to provide clarity and consistency.
In addition to clarifying and conforming amendments to the code, this bill also contains a number of technical changes relating to operations of the Board. The author points out that these changes were suggested by the Board to the sponsors and are needed to improve operations. These changes include the addition of quorum standards currently in place for motor vehicle dealer franchise disputes, adding the requirement for use of certified mail for judicial review proceedings, allowing the Board to hold hearings on protests pertaining to RV franchises (identical to those for automobile franchises), allowing the Board to make decisions on protests pertaining to RV franchises (identical to those for automobile franchises), establishing a judicial review under RV franchise provisions (identical to those for automobile franchises), and incorporating references to violations that would enable the Board to revoke or suspend a manufacturer's license (identical to those for automobile franchises).
While the majority of this bill's provisions work to achieve this consistency in the codes governing the Board's oversight, there is one exception related to the new authority provided in this bill to RV franchises with the respect to sale of inventory after a franchise agreement is ended. Specifically, the bill provides authorization for an RV dealership to sell remaining units in inventory after a franchise relationship has ended. According the sponsors, this has been the existing practice for some time, despite the fact that it is not expressly authorized. They note that there are differences in the way automobiles and RVs are held by their respective dealerships that necessitates this authority. Specifically, for automobiles, the dealer holds the inventory but it is owned by the manufacturer. Therefore, when an automobile franchise agreement is ended, the vehicles are simply returned to the manufacturer. For RVs, however, the RV dealer purchases inventory outright from the manufacturer. Therefore, when there is a termination of a franchise agreement, the dealer owns the inventory and it is not possible for them to return unsold RVs to the manufacturer. Instead, the RV dealer must sell a new RV to recoup their costs. Without the express authorization, the RV dealer would be required to sell remaining inventory as "used" since they are technically listed as the owner. Since there is substantial depreciation on RVs, this would represent a significant loss to an RV dealer. The provisions in this bill would codify the existing practice of RV dealers being allowed to sell the remaining inventory after a franchise agreement ends.
Please see the policy committee analysis for full discussion of this bill.
Analysis Prepared by: Victoria Alvarez / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0002299
AB 759
Page 3
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 759
Amended: 9/4/15 in Senate
SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 11-0, 7/14/15
AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 4/30/15 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Recreational vehicles
SOURCE: California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
DIGEST: This bill authorizes recreational vehicle (RV) dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
Senate Floor Amendments of 9/4/15 resolve chaptering-out issues with AB 1178 (Achadjian) and correct a cross-referencing error.
Existing law:
Establishes the New Motor Vehicle Board (NMVB), which is responsible for resolving disputes between franchised dealers and manufacturers of new motor vehicles, including motorcycles and RVs.
Prohibits RV dealers from selling new RVs without a franchise from the RV manufacturer.
This bill:
Makes a number of technical changes to the statutes dealing with the NMVB, including the creation of separate parallel and nearly identical code sections for RV dealers and auto dealers.
Authorizes RV dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
Comments
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, inconsistent and misleading language has crept into the NMVB code sections over the years. This bill is intended to provide technical and clarifying changes to the statutes. In addition, the bill authorizes RV dealers to sell their remaining inventory after a franchise agreement has ended, a common industry practice. The bill is sponsored by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association. Many of the technical amendments were proposed by the NMVB.
Background. The NMVB is a small organization with 13 positions proposed for FY 2015-2016. Contrary to its name, the NMVB deals primarily with franchise dealer/manufacturer disputes, though as a secondary duty they offer a non-binding mediation service between consumers and new-car dealers and manufacturers. The NMVB does not have the authority to enforce California’s lemon law.
What’s new? The one substantial provision in the bill authorizes RV dealers who have lost their franchises to sell any new RVs in their inventory as new. Because RV dealers own their inventory, if their franchises are lost that inventory would have to be sold as used, resulting in a loss to the dealers, according to the sponsors. Current law is apparently more honored in the breach than the observance under current practice. This bill legitimizes that practice.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (co-source)
California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (co-source)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 4/30/15
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins
NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Chávez, Gomez
Prepared by: Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121
9/8/15 20:25:59
**** END ****
AB 759
Page 3
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 759
Amended: 8/31/15 in Senate
SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 11-0, 7/14/15
AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 4/30/15 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Recreational vehicles
SOURCE: Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association
DIGEST: This bill authorizes RV dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/31/15 correct cross-referencing and other technical errors.
Existing law:
Establishes the New Motor Vehicle Board (NMVB), which is responsible for resolving disputes between franchised dealers and manufacturers of new motor vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles (RVs).
Prohibits RV dealers from selling new RVs without a franchise from the RV manufacturer.
This bill:
Makes a number of technical changes to the statutes dealing with the NMVB, including the creation of separate parallel and nearly identical code sections for RV dealers and auto dealers.
Authorizes RV dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
Comments
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, inconsistent and misleading language has crept into the NMVB code sections over the years. This bill is intended to provide technical and clarifying changes to the statutes. In addition, the bill authorizes RV dealers to sell their remaining inventory after a franchise agreement has ended, a common industry practice. The bill is sponsored by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association. Many of the technical amendments were proposed by the NMVB.
Background. The NMVB is a small organization with 13 positions proposed for FY 2015-2016. Contrary to its name, the NMVB deals primarily with franchise dealer/manufacturer disputes, though as a secondary duty they offer a non-binding mediation service between consumers and new-car dealers and manufacturers. The NMVB does not have the authority to enforce California’s lemon law.
What’s new? The one substantial provision in the bill authorizes RV dealers who have lost their franchises to sell any new RVs in their inventory as new. Because RV dealers own their inventory, if their franchises are lost that inventory would have to be sold as used, resulting in a loss to the dealers, according to the sponsors. Current law is apparently more honored in the breach than the observance under current practice. This bill legitimizes that practice.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (co-source)
California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (co-source)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 4/30/15
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins
NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Chávez, Gomez
Prepared by: Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121
9/1/15 20:29:50
**** END ****
AB 759
Page 3
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 759
Amended: 3/26/15 in Assembly
SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 11-0, 7/14/15
AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 4/30/15 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Recreational vehicles
SOURCE: California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
DIGEST: This bill authorizes recreational vehicle (RV) dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
Existing law:
Establishes the New Motor Vehicle Board (NMVB), which is responsible for resolving disputes between franchised dealers and manufacturers of new motor vehicles, including motorcycles and RVs.
Prohibits RV dealers from selling new RVs without a franchise from the RV manufacturer.
This bill:
Makes a number of technical changes to the statutes dealing with the NMVB, including the creation of separate parallel and nearly identical code sections for RV dealers and auto dealers.
Authorizes RV dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
Comments
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, inconsistent and misleading language has crept into the NMVB code sections over the years. This bill is intended to provide technical and clarifying changes to the statutes. In addition, this bill authorizes RV dealers to sell their remaining inventory after a franchise agreement has ended, a common industry practice. This bill is sponsored by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association. Many of the technical amendments were proposed by the NMVB.
Background. The NMVB is a small organization with 13 positions proposed for FY 2015-2016. Contrary to its name, the NMVB deals primarily with franchise dealer/manufacturer disputes, though as a secondary duty they offer a non-binding mediation service between consumers and new-car dealers and manufacturers. The NMVB does not have the authority to enforce California’s lemon law.
What’s new? The one substantial provision in this bill authorizes RV dealers who have lost their franchises to sell any new RVs in their inventory as new. Because RV dealers own their inventory, if their franchises are lost that inventory would have to be sold as used, resulting in a loss to the dealers, according to the sponsors. Current law is apparently more honored in the breach than the observance under current practice. This bill legitimizes that practice.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (co-source)
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (co-source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/18/15)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 4/30/15
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins
NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Chávez, Gomez
Prepared by: Randy Chinn / T&H / (916) 651-4121
8/20/15 11:44:22
**** END ****
AB 759 (Linder) Page 3 of 3
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 759 Hearing Date: 7/14/2015
Author: |
Linder |
||
Version: |
3/26/2015 |
||
Urgency: |
No |
Fiscal: |
Yes |
Consultant: |
Randy Chinn |
||
SUBJECT: Recreational vehicles
DIGEST: This bill authorizes RV dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
Establishes the New Motor Vehicle Board (NMVB), which is responsible for resolving disputes between franchised dealers and manufacturers of new motor vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles (RVs).
Prohibits RV dealers from selling new RVs without a franchise from the RV manufacturer.
This bill:
Makes a number of technical changes to the statutes dealing with the NMVB, including the creation of separate parallel and nearly identical code sections for RV dealers and auto dealers.
Authorizes RV dealers whose franchises have been terminated to continue to sell any new RV inventory that was purchased by the dealer prior to the termination.
COMMENTS:
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, inconsistent and misleading language has crept into the NMVB code sections over the years. This bill is intended to provide technical and clarifying changes to the statutes. In addition, the bill authorizes RV dealers to sell their remaining inventory after a franchise agreement has ended, a common industry practice. The bill is sponsored by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association. Many of the technical amendments were proposed by the NMVB.
Background. The NMVB is a small organization with 13 positions proposed for FY 2015-2016. Contrary to its name, the NMVB deals primarily with franchise dealer/manufacturer disputes, though as a secondary duty they offer a non-binding mediation service between consumers and new-car dealers and manufacturers. The NMVB does not have the authority to enforce California’s lemon law.
What’s new? The one substantial provision in the bill authorizes RV dealers who have lost their franchises to sell any new RVs in their inventory as new. Because RV dealers own their inventory, if their franchises are lost that inventory would have to be sold as used, resulting in a loss to the dealers, according to the sponsors. Current law is apparently more honored in the breach than the observance under current practice. This bill legitimizes that practice.
Assembly Votes
Floor: 77-0
Appr: 17-0
Trans: 15-0
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,
July 8, 2015.)
SUPPORT:
California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (co-sponsor)
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (co-sponsor)
OPPOSITION:
None received
-- END --
AB 759
Page 2
Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB 759
(Linder) – As Amended March 26, 2015
Policy Committee: |
Transportation |
Vote: |
15 - 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill:
Makes several, mostly technical changes to statutes regarding oversight of RV dealers by the New Motor Vehicle Board (Board), including creating separate and distinct code sections for Board oversight procedures of automobile franchises and RV franchises.
Authorizes RV dealers to sell remaining inventory after a franchise agreement ends.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor absorbable costs to the Board.
COMMENTS:
Background and Purpose. The Board was created in 1967 as the New Car Dealers Policy and Appeals Board. At the time of its inception, the Board's functions were limited to hearing appeals that arose from final decisions made by the DMV. In 1973, the California Automobile Franchise Act gave the Board its present name and tasked it with regulating and settling disputes in the new motor vehicle industry. The Board's current mission is to enhance relations between dealers and manufactures of automobiles, RV's, and motorcycles by resolving disputes in the industry in an efficient, fair, and cost-effective manner.
According to the author, existing law contains extensive provisions relating to the Board's role in resolving franchise disputes between auto manufacturers and dealers. He notes that over time, provisions have been added and amendments have been made to include reference to RV's along with automobiles. The author notes, however, that inclusion of RV references have been "spotty" and inconsistent. The author, along with the sponsors, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (CalRVDA), contend that separating provisions relating to automobiles from those relating to RVs with respect to Board oversight is needed to provide clarity and consistency.
In addition to the technical changes described above, the bill provides new authority to RV franchises with the respect to sale of inventory after a franchise agreement is ended. Unlike for automobiles—where the dealer holds the inventory but it is owned by the manufacturer, and when an automobile franchise agreement is ended, the vehicles are simply returned to the manufacturer—for RVs, the dealer purchases inventory outright from the manufacturer, thus with termination of a franchise agreement, the dealer owns the inventory and it is not possible for them to return unsold RVs to the manufacturer. Instead, the RV dealer must sell a new RV to recoup their costs. Without the express authorization, the RV dealer would be required to sell remaining inventory as "used" since they are technically listed as the owner. Since there is substantial depreciation on RVs, this would represent a significant loss to an RV dealer. This bill therefore codifies the existing practice of RV dealers being allowed to sell the remaining inventory after a franchise agreement ends.
Analysis Prepared by: Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
AB 759
Page 3
Date of Hearing: April 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Jim Frazier, Chair
AB 759
(Linder) – As Amended March 26, 2015
SUBJECT: Recreational vehicles
SUMMARY: Expressly authorizes RV dealers to sell remaining inventory after a franchise agreement ends and makes other technical amendments related to automobile and recreational vehicle (RV) franchise agreements and their oversight by the New Motor Vehicle Board (Board). Specifically, this bill:
Creates separate and distinct code sections for Board oversight procedures of automobile franchises and RV franchises.
Establishes operational requirements for the Board's oversight of RV franchise agreements, similar to those currently used for automobile franchises, including
Establishing quorum standards;
Establishing judicial review procedures;
Establishing protest hearing procedures; and,
Establishing document mailing procedures.
Expressly authorizes RV dealers to sell remaining inventory after a franchise agreement has been terminated, cancelled, or is not renewed.
Makes related clarifying and conforming changes.
EXISTING LAW:
Charges the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with licensing and regulating dealers, manufacturers, and distributors of motor vehicles that conduct business in California.
Establishes the Board as a program within DMV, with oversight provided by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).
Authorizes the Board to act in a quasi-judicial capacity to resolve disputes between franchise dealers and manufacturers/distributors of new motor vehicles, including motorcycles and RVs.
Prescribes the Board's operational procedures.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS:. The Board was created in 1967 as the New Car Dealers Policy and Appeals Board. At the time of its inception, the Board's functions were limited to hearing appeals that arose from final decisions made by the DMV. In 1973, the Legislature passed the California Automobile Franchise Act, which gave the Board its present name and tasked it with regulating and settling disputes in the new motor vehicle industry. The Board's current mission is to enhance relations between dealers and manufactures of automobiles, RV's, and motorcycles by resolving disputes in the industry in an efficient, fair, and cost-effective manner.
According to the author, existing law contains extensive provisions relating to the Board's role in resolving franchise disputes between auto manufacturers and dealers. He notes that over time, provisions have been added and amendments have been made to include reference to RV's along with automobiles. The author notes, however, that inclusion of RV references have been "spotty" and inconsistent. Specifically, the author notes that "One problem is that existing provisions in the auto[mobile] sections sometimes reference RVs, and sometimes the RV sections contain references to motor vehicles." The author, along with the sponsors, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the California Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (CalRVDA), contend that separating provisions relating to automobiles from those relating to RVs with respect to Board oversight is needed to provide clarity and consistency.
In addition to clarifying and conforming amendments to the code, the bill also contains a number of technical changes relating to operations of the Board. The author points out that these changes were suggested by the Board to the sponsors and are needed to improve operations. These changes include the addition of quorum standards currently in place for motor vehicle dealer franchise disputes, adding the requirement for use of certified mail for judicial review proceedings, allowing the Board to hold hearings on protests pertaining to RV franchises (identical to those for automobile franchises), allowing the Board to make decisions on protests pertaining to RV franchises (identical to those for automobile franchises), establishing a judicial review under RV franchise provisions (identical to those for automobile franchises), and incorporating references to violations that would enable the Board to revoke or suspend a manufacturer's license (identical to those for automobile franchises).
While the majority of the bill's provisions work to achieve this consistency in the codes governing the Board's oversight, there is one exception related to the new authority provided in the bill to RV franchises with the respect to sale of inventory after a franchise agreement is ended. Specifically, the bill provides authorization for an RV dealership to sell remaining units in inventory after a franchise relationship has ended. According the sponsors, this has been the existing practice for some time, despite the fact that it is not expressly authorized. They note that there are differences in the way automobiles and RVs are held by their respective dealerships that necessitates this authority. Specifically, for automobiles, the dealer holds the inventory but it is owned by the manufacturer. Therefore, when an automobile franchise agreement is ended, the vehicles are simply returned to the manufacturer. For RVs, however, the RV dealer purchases inventory outright from the manufacturer. Therefore, when there is a termination of a franchise agreement, the dealer owns the inventory and it is not possible for them to return unsold RVs to the manufacturer. Instead, the RV dealer must sell a new RV to recoup their costs. Without the express authorization, the RV dealer would be required to sell remaining inventory as "used" since they are technically listed as the owner. Since there is substantial depreciation on RVs, this would represent a significant loss to an RV dealer. The provisions in this bill would codify the existing practice of RV dealers being allowed to sell the remaining inventory after a franchise agreement ends.
Previous legislation: SB 248 (Murray), Chapter 703, Statutes of 2003, required that the practices and activities of RV dealers be regulated by the Board.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association, co-sponsor
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, co-sponsor
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Victoria Alvarez / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093
Discussed in Hearing
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Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):