HB 1214 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers - Dealer and Manufacturer Associations - Administrative Hearings

HB 1214 allows vehicle dealer associations to request administrative hearings to resolve disputes with manufacturers or to clarify laws governing dealership relationships. The bill defines a "Dealer Association" as a group owned by most franchised dealers in Maryland that represents their interests. It amends Maryland law to let these associations, alongside individual dealers, formally request hearings under transportation regulations for issues like contract disagreements or interpretation of dealer laws. This applies only when the manufacturer has at least one franchised dealer in Maryland, excluding cases where they do not operate in the state.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers - Dealer Associations - Administrative Hearings → Third - Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers - Dealer and Manufacturer Associations - Administrative Hearings · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the scope of administrative hearings to include vehicle manufacturer associations alongside existing dealer associations. It allows manufacturer associations to request hearings to resolve disputes with dealers, distributors, or factory branches, provided they represent a majority of manufacturers in the state and the dispute is germane to their interests.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened from covering only dealer associations to also covering manufacturer associations, and the statutory title was updated to reflect this inclusion.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'MANUFACTURER ASSOCIATION' as a business entity primarily owned by or composed of manufacturers representing a majority of manufacturers in the state.

ELIGIBILITY

Granted manufacturer associations the right to request administrative hearings to resolve disputes with dealers, distributors, or factory branches.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific conditions for dealer associations to request hearings, requiring that at least one member has a dispute, the interests are germane to the association's purpose, and the relief does not require participation from every individual member.

SCOPE

Updated the bill's purpose statement and title to explicitly include both dealer and manufacturer associations.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

133–0

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 142

Mar 24, 2026

D Democratic103

95 Yea 8

92% Yea

R Republican39

38 Yea 1

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

lower

Mar 24, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-9)

house of delegates

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors