Again, MADA closed out yet another successful General Session working on behalf of our members here in Annapolis.  Below is a list of some of the more important bills MADA focused on this year and their impact:

SB 132 - Job Applicant Fairness Act.  This bill was originally drafted to prohibit any employer from using credit reports to screen potential employees.  MADA worked with other employers to secure an amendment allowing credit reports to be used to screen employees that deal with financial information and possess authority to bind the business into legal contracts.

SB 176/SB 179 - Electric Vehicle Legislation.  These two bills create an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council and a pilot program for charging electric vehicles.  MADA was successful is getting a member of the Association included on the Infrastructure Council.  The pilot program will be administered by the Public Service Commission that regulates all energy networks in Marland.  MADA will closely monitor the implementation of this pilot program as the ability to charge electric vehicles will directly result in increased vehicle sales.

SB 444 - Definition of Employer.  Though it hasn't passed yet, this bill seeks to create a uniform definition of employer throughout Maryland Code.  This bill was problematic in that dealers are exempted from private causes of action in certain parts of the code.  This bill would open dealers up to greater liability from employee law suits which call for treble damages.  MADA participated in a work-group that was able to push this legislation into a summer study this year.  MADA will be engaged in the study of this issue.

HB 908- Leased Vehicles Advertising Practices.  This bill requires the advertised monthly lease payment of a vehicle to be the payment any customer can obtain regardless of other available discounts.  The advertised payment may exclude taxes, tags and dealer processing charge so long as they are properly disclosed in bottom print of advertisement.

HB 729-Unenforceability of Class Action Waiver.  Had it passed, this bill would have allowed a consumer to become a member of a certified class action law suit even if they agreed to waive that right through an arbitration agreement.  Furthermore, this bill would have applied retro-actively to contracts in effect at the time of legislation enactment.  This bill made it out of the House of Delegates and fortunately died on the Senate floor after heavy lobbying by many business groups.  MADA argued that this bill is actually anti-consumer because dealers will stop using the more efficient arbitration dispute resolution method. 

We want to thank our members for working with us and taking the call to action when requested.  A solid presence helped us achieve these victories on State Circle. 

MADA would like to recognize the following dealerships for their contribution to the 2011 MNCTDA/PAC.  If your name does not appear on this list, please forward your check (a corporate check can be used) payable to MNCTDA/PAC, c/o RSM McGladrey, Inc., 100 International Drive, Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21202.

GOVERNORS CLUB

Bob Bell Automotive Group

Chevy Chase Automotive

Criswell Chevrolet

Fitzgerald Auto Malls

Jones Junction, Inc.

Ken Dixon Automotive

Thompson Automotive Group

Toyota /Scion of Waldorf

Williams Family Automotive

LT. GOVERNORS CLUB

Freightliner of Hagerstown

Sport Chevrolet/Honda

The Frederick Motor Company

SENATE CLUB

Adams Automotive, Inc.

Baltimore Freightliner - Western Star

Beltway International LLC

Boyle Buick GMC Truck

Capitol Cadillac

Honda of Annapolis

Plaza Ford, Inc.

R & H Motor Cars

Timonium Toyota

HOUSE CLUB

Academy Ford Sales

Baltimore Mack Trucks

Barr International, Inc.

Barrett Chevrolet, Inc.

Bayside Chevrolet, Inc.

East West Lincoln Mercury, Inc.

FSK Lincoln Mercury, Inc.

Hickory International, Inc.

K. Neal International Truck, Inc.

Norris Automotive

West End Service, Inc.

Wilkins Automotive

Win Kelly Automotive

OTHER

Crouse Ford Sales, Inc.

Damascus Motor Company

After the success of the 2010 Summer Convention hosted at the Greenbrier, we have once again decided to join the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association for the 2011 Family Convention in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.  We invite everyone to join us as we immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of Williamsburg.  

The same as last year, this year's meeting will include business meetings with keynote speakers, discussions about industry related regulatory and legal issues.  The agenda thus far includes Tom Loveless, Vice President of Sales for KIA, Jared Hamilton, Founder and CEO of DrivingSales.com, Dale Pollak, Founder and Chairman of vAuto, Inc., and Jeffrey Gitomer, #1 Sales Authority and motivational speaker. 

Besides attending to business, we have planned many other fun outings sure to please both adults and children alike!  We have reserved an afternoon for golf at the award winning Golden Horseshoe Golf Course.  We have also planned a day at Busch Gardens ending with a picnic dinner.  Convention guests will also want to take advantage of the other recreational activities offered at the lodge-the acclaimed Spa of Colonial Williamsburg featuring treatments drawn from each century of our country's history.  

Registration materials were mailed last week. For registration information, please contact Ethel Biensach at MADA, 800.526.7423.   We'll see you in Williamsburg in June!

MADA announces three seminars dedicated to covering  the new laws and regulations passed during the 2011 Legislative session. Your presenters will also address the many legal/compliance issues that you face in the day-to-day operation of your dealership including:

• Dealer Processing Charge
• Issuance of Temp Tag with Pending Insurance Violation
• Advertising Compliance
• Prior Use Disclosure
• Protecting Against Liability in Class Action Suits

 Presenters:  Mike Charapp, Charapp & Weiss, LLP, and Peter Kitzmiller/Travis Martz, MADA    

Click Here to Download a Registration Form 

Return it by fax or mail to MADA...

Register Today!!!  

Space is limited!  

Along with the Maryland State Department of Education, we are excited to send Maryland's Teacher of the Year, Michelle Shearer, off to the White House on May 3, 2011.  Michelle is one of four teachers, nationwide, who have been nominated for the National Teacher of the Year award! President Obama will announce the winner at a ceremony in the Rose Garden next week. Good luck Michelle; make Maryland proud!  

MADA member, Tammy Darvish, of DARCARS Automotive Group was recently recognized by NADA for her support of high school education in her local community.  Ms. Darvish is a guest lecturer at Ballou High School in Washington, D.C.   Once a month she teaches business and life skills to 11th- and 12th-grade auto technology students.  Topics she covers include: financial literacy, team building, social media, letter writing, interviewing and public speaking.  "I feel like I can make a difference here," she said afterward. "If I can just change one kid a year, it's all worth it."

Ms. Darvish joins fellow dealers across the nation who will now be recognized for the positive impact they make on world around them.  Automotive News has just begun a new feature, "Dealers of Distinction."  MADA would love to see more of our members highlighted in this wonderful new feature!  We know that many of our members do great things in their local communities.  Please, help us spread the word and let us know what you do!