Recreational vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and dealers, the definition of recreational vehicles, and providing a penalty. (FE)

In addition, persons who violate the statutes governing RV dealer licensure may be required to forfeit between $25 and $100 for a first offense and may be fined between $25 and $100 for a second or subsequent offense within three years.

This bill provides additional regulation of RV dealers and regulates various aspects of the relationship between RV dealers and RV manufacturers or distributors. Specifically, among other things, the bill does all of the following:

1. Requires a dealer agreement between each RV dealer and the manufacturer or distributor of the RVs the dealer sells. The bill further specifies certain contents of the agreement, including an exclusive sales area for each RV dealer.

2. Prohibits RV manufacturers and distributors from terminating or failing to renew a dealer agreement without good cause. The bill provides criteria that must be considered when assessing whether good cause exists.

3. Requires an RV manufacturer or distributor to provide notice before terminating or nonrenewing a dealer agreement and provides that a termination or nonrenewal must be rescinded upon certain actions by an RV dealer.

4. Provides that an RV dealer may terminate or nonrenew an agreement with an RV manufacturer upon 30 days' notice.

5. In certain cases, requires an RV manufacturer to repurchase certain products provided to RV dealers, including new RVs, certain RV accessories, and certain repair equipment, upon termination of a dealer agreement.

6. Requires an RV manufacturer or distributor to allow an RV dealer to designate a family member as a successor to its dealer agreement.

7. Specifies obligations with regard to warranty repairs.

8. Provides that DOT may administratively fine any person who violates the provisions of the bill up to $1,000 for each violation.

Current law defines “recreational vehicle” for purposes of vehicle registration, vehicle equipment standards and certain other vehicle regulation. This bill modifies and expands the definition of “recreational vehicle” for these purposes. Among the changes, “recreational vehicle” is specifically expanded to include a camping trailer and a “truck camper,” which is defined as “a portable unit that is constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use and that consists of a roof, floor, and sides and that is designed to be loaded onto and unloaded from the back of a pickup truck.” The vehicles that satisfy the expanded definition may not be operated on a highway unless registered with DOT and must meet certain equipment requirements, including requirements related to brakes, safety glass, and coupling.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.