HB 72, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2011, becomes effective July 1, 2011.  There are several provisions to this new law which will impact dealership business.  MADA's members are reminded of the following changes...

• The bill increases the Certificate of Title fee from $50.00 to $100.00 for all vehicles, except daily rentals, that are titled on and after July 1, 2011.  Rental vehicle titling fees remain at $50.00 for fiscal years from the present through fiscal year 2014
• The fee for Personalized Plates will increase annually from $25.00 to $50.00.
• From July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, the dealer processing fee will increase from a maximum of $100.00 to $200.00.  Beginning July 1, 2014, the fee will increase again from $200.00 to a maximum of $300.00.
• Effective July 1, 2011, the dealer discount for collecting and remitting tax to the MVA has been reduced from 1.2% to 0.6%.  The maximum dollar amount has been reduced from $24.00 to $12.00.
• Beginning on July 1, 2011, the Motor Vehicle Administration [MVA] will be required to prevent renewal registrations or drivers' license renewal for any company or individual who has not paid all undisputed taxes and/or unemployment insurance contributions.  New flags** are currently being developed and will reflect "Comptroller's Office" or "Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation" (DLLR) on our system. Once the registration is flagged, you will be unable to process a tag transfer or a registration renewal until the matter has been satisfied. 

**Please note the following information regarding payment/settlement of flags:  The customer must pay all undisputed taxes to the Comptroller's Office and/or required unemployment insurance contributions to DLLR. The customer may contact the Comptroller's Office by telephone at 855-213-6669 (Individual) or 410-649-0633 (Business) or via email at mvahold@comp.state.md.us. The customer may contact DLLR by telephone at 410-767-2699 or by email at licnrelease@dllr.state.md.us. Customer's may either pay their obligations in full or set up a payment plan with the flagging agency.  The MVA does not accept payment for taxes or unemployment contributions.

If you have any questions regarding this new legislation, please contact your Association office at 800.526.7423. 

Family and friends celebrated the extraordinary life of Sam Weaver, Sr. on Sunday, June 12, 2011.  His son, former MADA Chairman, Sam Weaver, Jr., hosted and catered a party in his father's honor.  Guests shared memories and remembered the life of a man dedicated to his family, his community and to the automobile industry.   

Sam Sr. was a career automobile man, having spent 51 years at Chevy Chase Chevrolet specializing in truck sales. He earned numerous awards and recognitions including being one of the nation's top 10 Chevrolet truck salesman. He was credited with starting Chevy Chase's first truck department which grew and prospered under his leadership of more than 20 years. He retired at age 75 and never stopped worrying about his customer's automotive needs until the end. He is a true legend in the automotive industry.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Doris. Three children, Terry, Linda and Sam, Jr., four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many other family members, friends and customers.

It is the family's request that anyone wishing to make an expression of sympathy please contribute in Sam's name to The Maryland Automobile Dealers Association Foundation (MADAF), 7 State Circle, Suite 301, Annapolis, MD 21401.

MADA has a supply of HOV Permits; if you would like to request a permit, please send a copy of the CO's for any vehicles that you have in stock which qualify for a HOV permit.  The permits will be mailed to you.

The Motor Vehicle Administration has requested that title personnel keep a log indicating the permit number, to whom it was issued and the date of issuance.  You must also record the permit number on the HOV permit application, Form VR-PIV.  This form is available on the MVA website.   If you have not already done so, you may want to read the HOV Permit procedures in the "What's New" section of the Interactive Title & Registration manual located on the MVA website.

If you have any questions, please contact Ethel Biensach at MADA, 800.526.7423.

MADA and the MVA hosted two Title and Registration seminars last week in both Annapolis and Frederick.  Both seminars were well-attended and chock full of information.   

Dealership managers should take some time to ensure that your title and registration personnel are on our mailing list to receive updates and invitations for future seminars.  To sign them up or have them sign themselves up, please click on the "Join Our Mailing List" button to the right.  Please be sure to sign up for both  On The Move and Title and Registration to receive the most pertinent information. 

Armada Business Solutions. Specializing in automotive consulting and outsourcing. 9690 Deerco Road, 4th floor, Timonium, MD 21093.  Joe Jankowski, managing member, 410.308.6787 or joej@armadaes.com

Dealership For Life. Specializing in marketing and rewards programs for dealerships. 118 E. Oak Ridge Dr, Suite 1000, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Michael Zimmerman, Vice President, 800.717.4988 or paul@dealership4life.com.

Freeman, Wolfe & Greenbaum, P.A.  Baltimore-area based law firm. 409 Washington Ave, Suite 300, Towson, MD 21204.  Steven R. Freeman, managing partner, 410.321.8400 or srf@fwglaw.com.