With less than two weeks left in the 2015 Legislative Session, MADA is well positioned for a successful Session. Most industry groups have griped about the difficulty passing legislation with a new Governor in place as the Senate and House have been cautious to step on toes. Despite this cautionary start to a new four year election cycle, MADA successfully worked with the new attorney general's office to pass spot delivery protections that will shield dealers against future class action law suits. Consumer attorneys have salivated for years over motor vehicle regulations that state a vehicle may not be delivered until all the agreements between the parties are finalized. They claim this prohibits spot deliveries. MADA holds the position that Maryland law does not have any prohibitions on spot delivery therefore the regulations are worthless. Nevertheless, MADA passed legislation despite heavy consumer opposition that will protect dealers in spot delivery transactions as long as they provide a required disclosure. This new disclosure requirement will go into effect on October 1st, so MADA will hold numerous educational seminars in the coming months to ensure dealers comply with the law to best protect themselves.

Another less direct piece of legislation that was negotiated by MADA involves extended warranties. Legislation that is nearing completion will exempt extended warranties from regulation by the Maryland Insurance Administration. Therefore, this will clear up any gray area that may require a dealer employee to obtain an insurance license to sell extended warranties. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits deceptive and/or false advertising to bait consumers into fraudulent extended warranty products.