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03/28/2024 11:36 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20170&cosponId=23384
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 23, 2017 01:38 PM
From: Senator John R. Gordner
To: All Senate members
Subject: Creating a Recreational Vehicle specific law
 
In the very near future, I will introduce legislation that would create a recreational vehicle (RV) specific law which would govern RV dealers, manufacturers, and salespeople.

Under current law, RVs are lumped in with other automotive dealers which is problematic for numerous reasons. Automotive dealers work specifically with one type of manufacturer such as GM or Ford whereas RV dealers work with many manufacturers at one time. Therefore, the franchisee law for automobiles does not work well for recreational vehicles (RVs). Further, by its nature, RVs are made up of many different parts from different manufacturers. The engine and chassis will come from one company while the awning is provided by another manufacturer, and the interior appliances are supplied by a third company. It no longer makes sense to keep these very different vehicles in a law where they do not appropriately fit. Pennsylvania is a leading state in the manufacture, dealing and purchases of RVs in the United States. We are home to the largest RV show in America.

Under current law, Recreation Vehicles are governed by:
Title 63, Chapter 22A – Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons
Title 63, Chapter 28- Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
Title 73, Chapter 4 – Fair Trade and Business Practices
Title 73, Chapter 28A – New Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Act
Title 75, P1, Chapter 1 – Definitions and conforming Amendments

Right now consumers and the industry are being hindered by a set of laws that were not written for an industry that has experienced significant growth. Thus far, 18 states have adopted this method of centralizing Recreation Vehicle laws to ensure that the business and consumer has a clear law moving forward.

My bill will include industry-standard definitions on motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, folding camping trailers, park model RVs, and truck campers. Currently these are covered by the automobile franchise law, but would be moved to the centralized RV law. It will also include:
Written agreements, territory and alteration of agreements between dealers and manufacturers
Cancellation, termination or non-renewal of dealer manufacturer agreements
Repurchase of inventory post-termination of agreement between manufacturer and dealer
Succession or transfer of a dealership
Warranty obligations
Indemnification of a dealer from warranty or co-warranty of manufacturer products
Inspection or rejection of a RV before acceptance from a dealer
Description of Coercion
Mediation description and outline

Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation.



Introduced as SB764