Vehicle Laws - Manufacturers and Dealers - Prices Listed on Dealer Websites (Jack Fitzgerald Price Transparency Act)
SB 297, the Jack Fitzgerald Price Transparency Act, requires vehicle manufacturers to allow dealers to display on their websites that the advertised price of a vehicle is the manufacturer’s minimum allowable price, enabling dealers to offer lower prices without penalty. It prohibits manufacturers from taking adverse actions - like threatening to withhold benefits or imposing fines - against dealers who disclose this pricing information. The law directly affects auto dealers by protecting their right to transparent pricing and preventing manufacturer retaliation for price competition. It amends Maryland’s vehicle laws to ensure dealers can advertise lower prices without fear of retaliation from manufacturers. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Last action Apr 8, 2026
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3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally adopted by the Senate and includes a new provision prohibiting manufacturers and dealers from taking adverse action against a dealer for disclosing on their website that a vehicle is being sold at the manufacturer's minimum advertised price. This change strengthens price transparency by protecting dealers who advertise lower prices than the manufacturer's floor.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include a prohibition on adverse actions related to website price disclosures, which was previously absent from the text.
REQUIREMENT
Added a specific mandate that manufacturers and distributors cannot take adverse action against a dealer for disclosing on their website that the advertised price is the manufacturer's minimum allowable price and that the dealer may offer a lower price.
TIMELINE
Added a formal approval section for the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Delegates, indicating the bill has passed the Senate and is moving toward final enactment.
TECHNICAL
Updated formatting headers and page numbers to reflect the bill's progression from first reading to second reading and Senate adoption.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 22, 2026
How they voted
44–1
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Feb 22, 2026
D
Democratic36
88% Yea
R
Republican13
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Feb 22, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-1-4)
senate
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jeff Waldstreicher
DDemocratic
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