The 2015 Legislative Session is a third of the way completed and roughly 1500 new pieces of legislation have been introduced.  Governor Hogan is pushing a rain tax repeal, but the chances of that repeal passing the General Assembly is slim.  Dealer relief from the rain tax will most likely come from the County level that has the burden of imposing it on individuals and businesses that reside in the County.  Baltimore County has already reduced their fee, and Harford County repealed their fee this past week.  More Counties will follow suit as they jockey for State funding allocated through the budget. 

MADA introduced legislation that permits the MVA to draft regulations governing spot delivery transactions.  During the Fall, MADA worked with the MVA and consumer groups to formulate model regulations but ultimately the MVA did not think that they had the statutory authority to create the regulations.  MADA's legislation this session would grant MVA that authority.  MADA is also working with the MVA to create a motor vehicle advisory committee that will meet on a monthly or every other month basis to advise MVA regulators on the practical elements of dealership functions.  MADA anticipates having this dealer board up and running by the Spring. 

As always, when MADA asks our dealer network to contact their legislators, please reach out.  MADA handles most of the lobbying in house, but some issues require the entire membership to contact their legislators.  Your local messaging is essential to our legislative success.