AN ACT Relating to the relationship between motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers; amending RCW 46.70.180 and 46.70.190; creating a new chapter in Title 46 RCW; and repealing RCW 46.70.200 and 46.70.210.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes it is in the best interest for manufacturers and dealers of motor vehicles to conduct business with each other in a fair, efficient, and competitive manner. The legislature declares the public interest is best served by dealers being assured of the ability to manage their business enterprises under a contractual obligation with manufacturers where dealers do not experience unreasonable interference, receive adequate allocations of merchandise in a timely manner at competitive prices, and transfer ownership of their business without undue constraints. It is the intent of the legislature to impose a regulatory scheme and to regulate competition in the motor vehicle industry to the extent necessary to balance fairness and efficiency. These actions will assure the public that motor vehicle dealers will devote their best competitive efforts and resources to the sale and services of the manufacturer's products that the dealer has been granted the right to sell and service.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. In addition to the definitions contained in RCW 46.70.011, which are incorporated by reference into this chapter, the definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "New motor vehicle dealer" means a motor vehicle dealer engaged in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, or otherwise dealing in new motor vehicles or new and used motor vehicles at an established place of business, under a franchise, sales and service agreement, or contract with the manufacturer of the new motor vehicles. However, the term "new motor vehicle dealer" does not include a miscellaneous vehicle dealer as defined in RCW 46.70.011(3)(c) or a motorcycle dealer as defined in chapter 46.94 RCW.

(2) "Franchise" means one or more agreements, whether oral or written, between a manufacturer and a new motor vehicle dealer, under which the new motor vehicle dealer is authorized to sell, service, and repair new motor vehicles, parts, and accessories or lease or rent the dealership premises, under a common name, trade name, trademark, or service mark of the manufacturer.

"Franchise" includes an oral or written contract and includes a dealer agreement, either expressed or implied, between a manufacturer and a new motor vehicle dealer that purports to fix the legal rights and liabilities between the parties and under which (a) the dealer is granted the right to purchase and resell motor vehicles manufactured, distributed, or imported by the manufacturer; (b) the dealer's business is associated with the trademark, trade name, commercial symbol, or advertisement designating the franchisor or the products distributed by the manufacturer; and (c) the dealer's business relies on the manufacturer for a continued supply of motor vehicles, parts, and accessories.

(3) "Good faith" means honesty in fact and fair dealing in the trade as defined and interpreted in RCW 62A.2-103.

(4) "Designated successor" means:

(a) The spouse, biological or adopted child, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister of the owner of a new motor vehicle dealership who, in the case of the owner's death, is entitled to inherit the ownership interest in the new motor vehicle dealership under the terms of the owner's will or applicable intestate laws;

(b) A person who has been nominated by the owner of a new motor vehicle dealership as the successor in a written, notarized, and witnessed instrument submitted to the manufacturer; or

(c) In the case of an incapacitated owner of a new motor vehicle dealership, the person who has been appointed by a court as the legal representative of the incapacitated owner's property.

(5) "Owner" means a person holding an ownership interest in the business entity operating as a new motor vehicle dealer and who is the designated dealer in the new motor vehicle franchise agreement.

(6) "Person" means every natural person, partnership, corporation, association, trust, estate, or any other legal entity.

(7) "Relevant market area" means the geographic area within a radius of ten miles around an existing new motor vehicle dealer or the geographic area of responsibility defined in the franchise, whichever is greater. However, where a manufacturer is seeking to establish an additional new motor vehicle dealer or to relocate an existing new motor vehicle dealer, the "relevant market area" is as follows:

(a) If the population in the county in which the proposed new dealership is to be located is four hundred thousand or more, the relevant market area is the geographic area within a fifteen-mile radius of the proposed site or the geographic area of responsibility defined in the franchise, whichever is greater;

(b) If the population in the county in which the proposed new dealership is to be located is less than four hundred thousand, the relevant market area is the geographic area within a radius of thirty miles around the proposed site or the geographic area of responsibility defined in the franchise, whichever is greater.

In determining population for this definition, the most recent census by the United States Bureau of Census or the most recent population update, either from the National Planning Data Corporation or other similar recognized source, shall be accumulated for all census tracts either wholly or partially within the relevant market area.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Notwithstanding the terms of a franchise and notwithstanding the terms of a waiver, no manufacturer may terminate, cancel, or fail to renew a franchise with a new motor vehicle dealer, unless the manufacturer has complied with the notice requirements of section 7 of this act and an administrative law judge has determined, if requested in writing by the new motor vehicle dealer within the applicable time period specified in section 7(1), (2), or (3) of this act, after hearing, that there is good cause for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the franchise and that the manufacturer has acted in good faith, as defined in this chapter, regarding the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new motor vehicle dealer who has received written notification from the manufacturer of the manufacturer's intent to terminate, cancel, or not renew the franchise may file a petition with the department for a determination as to the existence of good cause and good faith for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise. Upon the filing of the petition and the receipt of the filing fee, the department shall promptly notify the manufacturer that a timely petition has been filed and shall request the appointment of an administrative law judge under chapter 34.12 RCW to conduct a hearing. The franchise in question shall continue in full force and effect pending the administrative law judge's decision. If the decision of the administrative law judge terminating, canceling, or failing to renew a dealer's franchise is appealed by a dealer, the franchise in question shall continue in full force and effect until the appeal to superior court is finally determined.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The administrative law judge shall conduct the hearing and render a final decision as expeditiously as possible, but in any event not later than one hundred eighty days after a petition is filed. If the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal is under section 7(2) of this act, the administrative law judge shall give the proceeding priority consideration and shall render a final decision not later than sixty days after a petition is filed.

(2) The administrative law judge shall conduct the hearing as an adjudicative proceeding in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW. The administrative law judge shall render the final decision and shall enter a final order. Except as otherwise provided in RCW 34.05.446 and 34.05.449, all hearing costs shall be borne on an equal basis by the parties to the hearing.

(3) A party to a hearing under this chapter may be represented by counsel. A party to a hearing aggrieved by the final order of the administrative law judge concerning the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise may seek judicial review of the order in the superior court in the manner provided for in RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598. A petitioner for judicial review need not exhaust all administrative remedies as a prerequisite for seeking judicial review under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) Notwithstanding the terms of a franchise and notwithstanding the terms of a waiver, good cause exists for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal when:

(a) There is a failure by the new motor vehicle dealer to comply with a provision of the franchise that is both reasonable and of material significance to the franchise relationship, if the new motor vehicle dealer was notified of the failure within one hundred eighty days after the manufacturer first acquired knowledge of the failure and the new motor vehicle dealer did not correct the failure.

(b) If the failure of the new motor vehicle dealer, defined in (a) of this subsection, relates to the performance of the new motor vehicle dealer in sales, service, or level of customer satisfaction, good cause is the failure of the new motor vehicle dealer to comply with reasonable performance standards determined by the manufacturer in accordance with uniformly applied criteria, and:

(i) The new motor vehicle dealer was advised, in writing, by the manufacturer of the failure;

(ii) The notice under (a) of this subsection stated that notice was provided of a failure of performance under this section;

(iii) The manufacturer provided the new motor vehicle dealer with specific, reasonable goals or reasonable performance standards with which the dealer must comply, together with a suggested timetable or program for attaining those goals or standards, and the new motor vehicle dealer was given a reasonable opportunity, for a period not less than one hundred eighty days, to comply with the goals or standards; and

(iv) The new motor vehicle dealer did not substantially comply with the manufacturer's performance standards during that period and the failure to demonstrate substantial compliance was not due to market or economic factors within the new motor vehicle dealer's relevant market area that were beyond the control of the dealer.

(2) The manufacturer has the burden of proof of establishing good cause and good faith for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the franchise under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Before the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise, the manufacturer shall give written notification to both the department and the new motor vehicle dealer. The notice shall be by certified mail or personally delivered to the new motor vehicle dealer and shall state the intention to terminate, cancel, or not renew the franchise, the reasons for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, and the effective date of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal. The notice shall be given:

(1) Not less than ninety days before the effective date of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal;

(2) Not less than fifteen days before the effective date of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal with respect to any of the following that constitute good cause for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal:

(a) Insolvency of the new motor vehicle dealer or the filing of any petition by or against the new motor vehicle dealer under bankruptcy or receivership law;

(b) Failure of the new motor vehicle dealer to conduct sales and service operations during customary business hours for seven consecutive business days, except for acts of God or circumstances beyond the direct control of the new motor vehicle dealer;

(c) Conviction of the new motor vehicle dealer, or principal operator of the dealership, of a felony punishable by imprisonment; or

(d) Revocation of a license that the new motor vehicle dealer is required to have to operate the new motor vehicle dealership;

(3) Not less than one hundred eighty days before the effective date of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, where the manufacturer intends to discontinue sale and distribution of the new motor vehicle line.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) Upon the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise by the manufacturer under this chapter, the manufacturer shall pay the new motor vehicle dealer, at a minimum:

(a) Dealer cost plus any charges by the manufacturer for distribution, delivery, and taxes, less all allowances paid or credited to the dealer by the manufacturer, of unused, undamaged, and unsold new motor vehicles in the new motor vehicle dealer's inventory that were acquired from the manufacturer or another new motor vehicle dealer of the same line make within the previous twelve months;

(b) Dealer cost for all unused, undamaged, and unsold supplies, parts, and accessories in original packaging, except that in the case of sheet metal, a comparable substitute for original packaging may be used, if the supply, part, or accessory was acquired from the manufacturer or from another new motor vehicle dealer ceasing operations as a part of the new motor vehicle dealer's initial inventory;

(c) The fair market value of each undamaged sign owned by the new motor vehicle dealer that bears a common name, trade name, or trademark of the manufacturer, if acquisition of the sign was recommended or required by the manufacturer;

(d) The fair market value of all equipment, furnishings, and special tools owned or leased by the new motor vehicle dealer that were acquired from the manufacturer or sources approved by the manufacturer and that were recommended or required by the manufacturer and are in good and usable condition, less reasonable wear and tear. However, if the equipment, furnishings, or tools are leased by the new motor vehicle dealer, the manufacturer shall pay the new motor vehicle dealer such amounts that are required by the lessor to terminate the lease under the terms of the lease agreement; and

(e) The cost of transporting, handling, packing, and loading of new motor vehicles, supplies, parts, accessories, signs, special tools, equipment, and furnishings.

To the extent the franchise agreement provides for payment or reimbursement to the new motor vehicle dealer in excess of that specified in this section, the provisions of the franchise agreement shall control.

(2) The manufacturer shall pay the new motor vehicle dealer the sums specified in subsection (1) of this section within thirty days after the tender of the property, if the new motor vehicle dealer has clear title to the property and is in a position to convey that title to the manufacturer.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. (1) In the event of a termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal under this chapter, except for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal under section 7(2) of this act, the manufacturer shall, at the request and option of the new motor vehicle dealer, also pay to the new motor vehicle dealer:

(a) A sum equivalent to rent for the unexpired term of the lease or one year, whichever is less, or such longer term as provided in the franchise, if the new motor vehicle dealer is leasing the new motor vehicle dealership facilities from a lessor other than the manufacturer; or

(b) A sum equivalent to the reasonable rental value of the new motor vehicle dealership facilities for one year or until the facilities are leased or sold, whichever is less, if the new motor vehicle dealer owns the new motor vehicle dealership facilities.

(2) The rental payment required under subsection (1) of this section is only required to the extent that the facilities were used for activities under the franchise and only to the extent the facilities were not leased for unrelated purposes. If payment under subsection (1) of this section is made, the manufacturer is entitled to possession and use of the new motor vehicle dealership facilities for the period rent is paid.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 3 through 9 of this act do not relieve a new motor vehicle dealer from the obligation to mitigate the dealer's damages upon termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the franchise.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. (1) Notwithstanding the terms of a franchise, an owner may appoint a designated successor to succeed to the ownership of the new motor vehicle dealer franchise.

(2) Notwithstanding the terms of a franchise, unless the manufacturer establishes that good cause exists for refusal to honor succession, a designated successor of a deceased or incapacitated owner of a new motor vehicle dealer franchise may succeed to the ownership interest of the owner under the existing franchise, if:

(a) The designated successor furnishes written notice to the manufacturer of his or her intention to succeed to the ownership of the new motor vehicle dealership within sixty days after the owner's death or incapacity; and

(b) The designated successor agrees to be bound by all terms and conditions of the franchise.

(3) The manufacturer may request, and the designated successor shall promptly provide, such personal and financial information as is reasonably necessary to determine whether the succession should be honored.

(4) If a manufacturer believes that good cause exists for refusing to honor the succession to the ownership of a new motor vehicle dealer franchise by a designated successor, the manufacturer may serve written notice on the designated successor and on the department of its refusal to honor the succession and its intent to discontinue the existing franchise with the new motor vehicle dealer no earlier than sixty days from the date the notice is served. The notice must be served not later than sixty days after the manufacturer's receipt of:

(a) Notice of the designated successor's intent to succeed to the ownership interest of the new motor vehicle dealer's franchise; or

(b) Any personal or financial information requested by the manufacturer.

(5) The notice in subsection (4) of this section shall state the specific grounds for the refusal to honor the succession and the manufacturer's intent to discontinue the franchise with the new motor vehicle dealer no sooner than sixty days after the date the notice is served. If the notice of refusal and discontinuance is not timely and properly served, the franchise continues in full force and effect, subject to termination only as otherwise provided under this chapter.

(6) Within twenty days after receipt of the notice or within twenty days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the manufacturer, whichever is greater, the designated successor may file a protest with the department regarding the refusal to honor the succession. Upon the filing of a protest and the receipt of the filing fee, the department shall promptly notify the manufacturer that a timely protest has been filed and shall request the appointment of an administrative law judge under chapter 34.12 RCW to conduct a hearing. The manufacturer shall not terminate or discontinue the existing franchise until the administrative law judge has held a hearing and has determined that there is good cause for refusing to honor the succession. If an appeal is taken, the manufacturer shall not terminate or discontinue the franchise until the appeal to superior court is finally determined.

(7) The manufacturer has the burden of proof to show that good cause exists for the refusal to honor the succession.

(8) The administrative law judge shall conduct the hearing and render a final decision as expeditiously as possible, but in any event not later than one hundred eighty days after a protest is filed.

(9) The administrative law judge shall conduct any hearing concerning the refusal to the succession as provided in section 5(2) of this act. A party to such a hearing aggrieved by the final order of the administrative law judge may appeal as provided and allowed in section 5(3) of this act.

(10) This section does not preclude the owner of a new motor vehicle dealer franchise from designating any person as his or her successor by a written, notarized, and witnessed instrument filed with the manufacturer. In the event of a conflict between such a written instrument that has not been revoked by written notice from the owner to the manufacturer and this section, the written instrument governs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. If a manufacturer intends or proposes to enter into a franchise to establish an additional new motor vehicle dealer or to relocate an existing new motor vehicle dealer within or into a relevant market area in which the same line make of motor vehicle is then represented, the manufacturer shall provide at least ninety days advance written notice to the department and to each new motor vehicle dealer of the same line make in the relevant market area, of the manufacturer's intention to establish an additional new motor vehicle dealer or to relocate an existing new motor vehicle dealer within or into the relevant market area. The notice shall be sent by certified mail to each such party and shall include the following information:

(1) The specific location at which the additional or relocated motor vehicle dealer will be established;

(2) The date on or after which the additional or relocated motor vehicle dealer intends to commence business at the proposed location;

(3) The identity of all motor vehicle dealers who are franchised to sell the same line make vehicles as the proposed dealer and who have licensed locations within the relevant market area;

(4) The names and addresses of the owners of and principal investors in the proposed additional or relocated motor vehicle dealership; and

(5) The specific grounds or reasons for the proposed establishment of an additional motor vehicle dealer or relocation of an existing dealer.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. Within thirty days after receipt of the notice under section 12 of this act or within thirty days after the end of an appeal procedure provided by the manufacturer, whichever is greater, a new motor vehicle dealer so notified or entitled to notice may file a protest with the department against the proposed establishment or relocation. Upon the filing of a protest and the receipt of the filing fee, the department shall promptly notify the manufacturer that a timely protest has been filed and shall request the appointment of an administrative law judge under chapter 34.12 RCW to conduct a hearing. The manufacturer shall not establish or relocate the new motor vehicle dealer until the administrative law judge has held a hearing and has determined that there is good cause for permitting the proposed establishment or relocation. When more than one protest is filed against the establishment or relocation of the same dealer, the administrative law judge shall consolidate the hearings to expedite disposition of the matter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. In determining whether good cause exists for permitting the proposed establishment or relocation of a new motor vehicle dealer of the same line make, the administrative law judge shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to:

(1) The extent, nature, and permanency of the investment of both the existing motor vehicle dealers of the same line make in the relevant market area and the proposed additional or relocating new motor vehicle dealer, including obligations reasonably incurred by the existing dealers to perform their obligations under their respective franchises;

(2) The growth or decline in population and new motor vehicle registrations during the past five years in the relevant market area;

(3) The effect on the consuming public in the relevant market area;

(4) The effect on the existing new motor vehicle dealers in the relevant market area, including any adverse financial impact;

(5) The reasonably expected or anticipated vehicle market for the relevant market area, including demographic factors such as age of population, income, education, size class preference, product popularity, retail lease transactions, or other factors affecting sales to consumers in the relevant market area;

(6) Whether it is injurious or beneficial to the public welfare for an additional new motor vehicle dealer to be established;

(7) Whether the new motor vehicle dealers of the same line make in the relevant market area are providing adequate competition and convenient customer care for the motor vehicles of the same line make in the relevant market area, including the adequacy of motor vehicle sales and service facilities, equipment, supply of vehicle parts, and qualified service personnel;

(8) Whether the establishment of an additional new motor vehicle dealer would increase competition and be in the public interest;

(9) Whether the manufacturer is motivated to establish an additional or new motor vehicle dealer by noneconomic considerations such as the manufacturer's desire to coerce, intimidate, or retaliate against an existing new motor vehicle dealer;

(10) Whether the manufacturer has denied its existing new motor vehicle dealers of the same line make the opportunity for reasonable growth, market expansion, establishment of a subagency, or relocation;

(11) Whether the protesting dealer or dealers are in substantial compliance with their dealer agreements or franchises; and

(12) Whether the manufacturer has complied with the requirements of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. (1) The manufacturer and the proposed additional or relocating new motor vehicle dealer have the burden of proof to establish that good cause exists for permitting the proposed establishment or relocation.

(2) The administrative law judge shall conduct any hearing as provided in section 5(2) of this act. The administrative law judge shall render the final decision as expeditiously as possible, but in any event not later than one hundred twenty days after a protest is filed. If more than one protest is filed, the one hundred twenty days commences to run from the date the last protest is filed. A party to such a hearing aggrieved by the final order of the administrative law judge may appeal as provided and allowed in section 5(3) of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. Sections 12 through 15 of this act do not apply:

(1) To the sale or transfer of the ownership or assets of an existing new motor vehicle dealer where the transferee proposes to engage in business representing the same line make at the same location;

(2) To the relocation of an existing new motor vehicle dealer within the dealer's relevant market area, if the relocation is not at a site within ten miles of any new motor vehicle dealer of the same line make;

(3) If the proposed new motor vehicle dealer is to be established at or within two miles of a location at which a former new motor vehicle dealer of the same line make had ceased operating within the previous twelve months;

(4) Where the proposed relocation is two miles or less from the existing location of the relocating new motor vehicle dealer; or

(5) Where the proposed relocation is to be further away from all other existing new motor vehicle dealers of the same line make in the relevant market area.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. A manufacturer shall not coerce, threaten, intimidate, or require a new motor vehicle dealer, as a condition to granting or renewing a franchise, to waive, limit, or disclaim a right that the dealer may have to protest the establishment or relocation of another motor vehicle dealer in the relevant market area as provided in section 13 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. (1) Notwithstanding the terms of a franchise, a manufacturer shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the sale, transfer, or exchange of a franchise to a qualified buyer capable of being licensed as a new motor vehicle dealer in the state of Washington. A manufacturer's failure to respond in writing to a request for consent under this subsection within sixty days after receipt of a written request on the forms, if any, generally used by the manufacturer containing the information and reasonable promises required by a manufacturer is deemed to be consent to the request. A manufacturer may request, and, if so requested, the applicant for a franchise (a) shall promptly provide such personal and financial information as is reasonably necessary to determine whether the sale, transfer, or exchange should be approved, and (b) shall agree to be bound by all reasonable terms and conditions of the franchise.

(2) If a manufacturer refuses to approve the sale, transfer, or exchange of a franchise, the manufacturer shall serve written notice on the applicant, the transferring, selling, or exchanging new motor vehicle dealer, and the department of its refusal to approve the transfer of the franchise no later than sixty days after the date the manufacturer receives the written request from the new motor vehicle dealer. If the manufacturer has requested personal or financial information from the applicant under subsection (1) of this section, the notice shall be served not later than sixty days after the receipt of all of such documents. Service of all notices under this section shall be made by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(3) The notice in subsection (2) of this section shall state the specific grounds for the refusal to approve the sale, transfer, or exchange of the franchise.

(4) Within twenty days after receipt of the notice of refusal to approve the sale, transfer, or exchange of the franchise by the transferring new motor vehicle dealer, the new motor vehicle dealer may file with the department a protest to the refusal to approve the sale, transfer, or exchange. Upon the filing of a protest and the receipt of the filing fee, the department shall promptly notify the manufacturer that a timely protest has been filed, and the department shall arrange for a hearing with an administrative law judge as the presiding officer to determine if the manufacturer unreasonably withheld consent to the sale, transfer, or exchange of the franchise.

(5) In determining whether the manufacturer unreasonably withheld its approval to the sale, transfer, or exchange, the manufacturer has the burden of proof that it acted reasonably.

(6) The administrative law judge shall conduct a hearing and render a final decision as expeditiously as possible, but in any event not later than one hundred twenty days after a protest is filed. An interested party, including the applicant and the selling, transferring, or exchanging new motor vehicle dealer, may participate in the hearing.

(7) The administrative law judge shall conduct any hearing as provided in section 5(2) of this act. Only the manufacturer and the selling, transferring or exchanging new motor vehicle dealer may appeal the final order of the administrative law judge as provided in section 5(3) of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. The department shall determine and establish the amount of the filing fee required in sections 4, 11, 13, and 18 of this act. The fees shall be set in accordance with RCW 43.24.086.

The department may also require the petitioning or protesting party to give security, in such sum as the department deems proper but not in any event to exceed one thousand dollars, for the payment of such costs as may be incurred in conducting the hearing as required under this chapter. The security may be given in the form of a bond or stipulation or other undertaking with one or more sureties.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the department shall assess, in equal shares, each of the parties to the hearing for the cost of conducting the hearing. Upon receipt of payment of the costs, the department shall refund and return to the petitioning party such excess funds, if any, initially posted by the party as security for the hearing costs. If the petitioning party provided security in the form of a bond or other undertaking with one or more sureties, the bond or other undertaking shall then be exonerated and the surety or sureties under it discharged.

Sec. 20. Section 16, chapter 74, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. as last amended by section 18, chapter 241, Laws of 1986 and RCW 46.70.180 are each amended to read as follows:

Each of the following acts or practices is unlawful:

(1) To cause or permit to be advertised, printed, displayed, published, distributed, broadcasted, televised, or disseminated in any manner whatsoever, any statement or representation with regard to the sale or financing of a vehicle which is false, deceptive, or misleading, including but not limited to the following:

(a) That no down payment is required in connection with the sale of a vehicle when a down payment is in fact required, or that a vehicle may be purchased for a smaller down payment than is actually required;

(b) That a certain percentage of the sale price of a vehicle may be financed when such financing is not offered in a single document evidencing the entire security transaction;

(c) That a certain percentage is the amount of the service charge to be charged for financing, without stating whether this percentage charge is a monthly amount or an amount to be charged per year;

(d) That a new vehicle will be sold for a certain amount above or below cost without computing cost as the exact amount of the factory invoice on the specific vehicle to be sold;

(e) That a vehicle will be sold upon a monthly payment of a certain amount, without including in the statement the number of payments of that same amount which are required to liquidate the unpaid purchase price.

(2) To incorporate within the terms of any purchase and sale agreement any statement or representation with regard to the sale or financing of a vehicle which is false, deceptive, or misleading, including but not limited to terms that include as an added cost to the selling price of a vehicle an amount for licensing or transfer of title of that vehicle which is not actually due to the state, unless such amount has in fact been paid by the dealer prior to such sale.

(3) To set up, promote, or aid in the promotion of a plan by which vehicles are to be sold to a person for a consideration and upon further consideration that the purchaser agrees to secure one or more persons to participate in the plan by respectively making a similar purchase and in turn agreeing to secure one or more persons likewise to join in said plan, each purchaser being given the right to secure money, credits, goods, or something of value, depending upon the number of persons joining the plan.

(4) To commit, allow, or ratify any act of "bushing" which is defined as follows: Taking from a prospective buyer of a vehicle a written order or offer to purchase, or a contract document signed by the buyer, which:

(a) Is subject to the dealer's, or his authorized representative's future acceptance, and the dealer fails or refuses within forty-eight hours, exclusive of Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, and prior to any further negotiations with said buyer, to deliver to the buyer either the dealer's signed acceptance or all copies of the order, offer, or contract document together with any initial payment or security made or given by the buyer, including but not limited to money, check, promissory note, vehicle keys, a trade-in, or certificate of title to a trade-in; or

(b) Permits the dealer to renegotiate a dollar amount specified as trade-in allowance on a vehicle delivered or to be delivered by the buyer as part of the purchase price, for any reason except substantial physical damage or latent mechanical defect occurring before the dealer took possession of the vehicle and which could not have been reasonably discoverable at the time of the taking of the order, offer, or contract; or

(c) Fails to comply with the obligation of any written warranty or guarantee given by the dealer requiring the furnishing of services or repairs within a reasonable time.

(5) To commit any offense relating to odometers, as such offenses are defined in RCW 46.37.540, 46.37.550, 46.37.560, and 46.37.570. A violation of this subsection is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(6) For any vehicle dealer or vehicle salesman to refuse to furnish, upon request of a prospective purchaser, the name and address of the previous registered owner of any used vehicle offered for sale.

(7) To commit any other offense under RCW 46.37.423, 46.37.424, or 46.37.425.

(8) To commit any offense relating to a dealer's temporary license permit, including but not limited to failure to properly complete each such permit, or the issuance of more than one such permit on any one vehicle.

(9) For a dealer, salesman, or mobile home manufacturer, having taken an instrument or cash "on deposit" from a purchaser prior to the delivery of the bargained-for vehicle, to commingle said "on deposit" funds with assets of the dealer, salesman, or mobile home manufacturer instead of holding said "on deposit" funds as trustee in a separate trust account until the purchaser has taken delivery of the bargained-for vehicle. Failure, immediately upon receipt, to endorse "on deposit" instruments to such a trust account, or to set aside "on deposit" cash for deposit in such trust account, and failure to deposit such instruments or cash in such trust account by the close of banking hours on the day following receipt thereof, shall be evidence of intent to commit this unlawful practice: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That a motor vehicle dealer may keep a separate trust account which equals his customary total customer deposits for vehicles for future delivery.

(10) For a dealer or manufacturer to fail to comply with the obligations of any written warranty or guarantee given by the dealer or manufacturer requiring the furnishing of goods and services or repairs within a reasonable period of time, or to fail to furnish to a purchaser, all parts which attach to the manufactured unit including but not limited to the undercarriage, and all items specified in the terms of a sales agreement signed by the seller and buyer.

(11) Being a manufacturer, other than a motorcycle manufacturer governed by chapter 46.94 RCW, to:

(a) Coerce or attempt to coerce any vehicle dealer to order or accept delivery of any vehicle or vehicles, parts or accessories, or any other commodities which have not been voluntarily ordered by the vehicle dealer: PROVIDED, That recommendation, endorsement, exposition, persuasion, urging, or argument are not deemed to constitute coercion;

(b) Cancel or fail to renew the franchise or selling agreement of any vehicle dealer doing business in this state without fairly compensating the dealer at a fair going business value for his capital investment which shall include but not be limited to tools, equipment, and parts inventory possessed by the dealer on the day he is notified of such cancellation or termination and which are still within the dealer's possession on the day the cancellation or termination is effective, if: (i) The capital investment has been entered into with reasonable and prudent business judgment for the purpose of fulfilling the franchise; and (ii) said cancellation or nonrenewal was not done in good faith. Good faith is defined as the duty of each party to any franchise to act in a fair and equitable manner towards each other, so as to guarantee one party freedom from coercion, intimidation, or threats of coercion or intimidation from the other party: PROVIDED, That recommendation, endorsement, exposition, persuasion, urging, or argument are not deemed to constitute a lack of good faith.

(c) Encourage, aid, abet, or teach a vehicle dealer to sell vehicles through any false, deceptive, or misleading sales or financing practices including but not limited to those practices declared unlawful in this section;

(d) Coerce or attempt to coerce a vehicle dealer to engage in any practice forbidden in this section by either threats of actual cancellation or failure to renew the dealer's franchise agreement;

(e) Refuse to deliver any vehicle publicly advertised for immediate delivery to any duly licensed vehicle dealer having a franchise or contractual agreement for the retail sale of new and unused vehicles sold or distributed by such manufacturer within sixty days after such dealer's order has been received in writing unless caused by inability to deliver because of shortage or curtailment of material, labor, transportation, or utility services, or by any labor or production difficulty, or by any cause beyond the reasonable control of the manufacturer;

(f) To provide under the terms of any warranty that a purchaser of any new or unused vehicle that has been sold, distributed for sale, or transferred into this state for resale by the vehicle manufacturer may only make any warranty claim on any item included as an integral part of the vehicle against the manufacturer of that item.

Nothing in this section may be construed to impair the obligations of a contract or to prevent a manufacturer, distributor, representative, or any other person, whether or not licensed under this chapter, from requiring performance of a written contract entered into with any licensee hereunder, nor does the requirement of such performance constitute a violation of any of the provisions of this section if any such contract or the terms thereof requiring performance, have been freely entered into and executed between the contracting parties. This paragraph and subsection (11)(b) of this section do not apply to new motor vehicle manufacturers governed by chapter 46.-- RCW (sections 1 through 19 of this act).

Sec. 21. Section 21, chapter 74, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. as last amended by section 19, chapter 241, Laws of 1986 and RCW 46.70.190 are each amended to read as follows:

Any person who is injured in his business or property by a violation of this chapter, or any person so injured because he refuses to accede to a proposal for an arrangement which, if consummated, would be in violation of this chapter, may bring a civil action in the superior court to enjoin further violations, to recover the actual damages sustained by him together with the costs of the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee.

((Any person recovering judgment or whose claim has been dismissed with prejudice against a manufacturer pursuant to RCW 46.70.180(11)(b) and this section shall, upon full payment of said judgment, or upon the dismissal of such claim, execute a waiver in favor of the judgment debtor or defendant of any claim arising prior to the date of said judgment or dismissal under the Federal Automobile Dealer Franchise Act, 15 United States Code Sections 1221-1225. Any person having recovered full payment for any judgment or whose claim has been dismissed with prejudice under said Federal Automobile Dealer Franchise Act shall have no cause of action under this section for alleged violation of RCW 46.70.180(11)(b), with respect to matters arising prior to the date of said judgment.))

A civil action brought in the superior court pursuant to the provisions of this section must be filed no later than one year following the alleged violation of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 23. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) Section 17, chapter 74, Laws of 1967 ex. sess., section 20, chapter 241, Laws of 1986 and RCW 46.70.200; and

(2) Section 18, chapter 74, Laws of 1967 ex. sess., section 21, chapter 241, Laws of 1986 and RCW 46.70.210.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. Sections 1 through 19 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 46 RCW.