First, please inform yourself of any updates to our State and Federal wage and tax rates for 2014.  This information is provided courtesy of ADP.

Second, due to some confusion and phone calls, MADA would like to remind all dealers that the Dealer Processing Charge is scheduled to increase on July 1, 2014 from a maximum of $200 to a maximum of $300.  Please update your systems accordingly

Courtesy of MADA, this year's Teachers of the Year, enjoyed a day in Annapolis and a luncheon in their honor.  Association President, Peter Kitzmiller, welcomed the teachers at their luncheon, held at the historic Maryland Inn.  He thanked them for their dedication to public education and for making Maryland's public school system the best in the country for five years in a row!    

MADA President, Peter Kitzmilller, addressing MD Teachers of the Year

During the day, each of the 24 teachers had the opportunity to meet with their local delegates and State senators. As a group, they were welcomed and received by the General Assembly.Each teacher also received a poster, provided by MADA, celebrating their distinction as being chosen a Teacher of the Year nominee.

MADA is proud to support our teachers and to recognize the very best in Maryland!

MADA strongly encourages all dealer members to complete the 2013 Economic Impact Report. This report highlights the tremendous economic impact the automobile industry has on the State of Maryland.  The Association uses this report when dealing with the legislature, governmental agencies and the media.  This is a very important report that cannot be prepared without your help!   

Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and return it as soon as possible.  This new format is all-electronic allowing you to complete the survey on your computer.  All that you need is to click on this LINK, submit your information online, and click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the webpage.  Your survey response will be sent directly to Auto Outlook.   

If you operate more than one dealership, please complete one survey form for each location. We will provide dealers a copy of the report upon its publication.  We appreciate your participation and thank you in advance for your timely response.

On January 24, NADA emailed all members the "NADA Fair Credit Compliance Policy & Program" designed to provide dealers an optional fair credit compliance program, in light of recent allegations by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that dealer discretion in setting the amount they earn for qualifying and extending credit to consumers could unintentionally result in certain groups of consumers paying more compensation than others.

MADA urges members to share this program with their legal counsel and to consider whether or not to implement this or a similar program in their dealerships based on their own specific needs.

Federal law is becoming more and more protective of consumer information, and it is critical that dealers protect their customers and themselves, particularly when dealing with third party service providers that seek access to information about dealers' customers, business operations or any other data that is gathered or maintained by the dealership. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) recently released a sample Service Provider Dealer Data Access Addendum that was drafted to clarify dealer obligations under the Gramm-Leach-Biley Act (GLB Act) and ensure that their applicable vendor contracts contain certain provisions required under federal law.

The Addendum, as written, may not be applicable to every situation. It is intended to highlight and address the federal regulatory issues related to access to dealer data. As with all legal issues, dealers should consult with their own counsel and have them review the sample addendum. If the language applies to your situation, present it to your service provider(s) for signature.

Adoption of the Addendum will help dealers satisfy the service provider contract requirements under the GLB Act, but the Act's requirements are complex and can be fact-specific. Dealers should consult with their legal counsel to adjust the language as necessary to fit their individual business practices. There are several provisions dealers may wish to consider adding to the Addendum that have not been included, such as indemnification; data breach notification and responsibility; additional reporting or audit responsibilities; insurance requirements; other regulatory compliance obligations and responsibilities; state or local law issues; and licensing considerations. 

Date/Time: Thursday, February 20 at 1pm Eastern

Presenter:  Penny Phillips, JD   

Cost: $149.00 per person   

Increases in DOL enforcement actions along with pending rule changes make careful attention to the Fair Labor Standards Act a must for auto dealerships & auto groups.  Every dealership manager needs a refresher on wage and hour regulations....EVERY MANAGER!  The penalties for not knowing are just too steep!

Penny Phillips is an experienced labor attorney and often hears wrong-headed ideas about the FLSA and these misconceptions have the potential to cost the dealership a bundle.

This webinar will cover the following:

• What is different under the current administration and why
• How to classify employees correctly
• How to draft, use and then manage job descriptions with confidence
• How to determine who is supervising whom
• How to handle multiple responsibility and supervision issues