SB 345 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

SB 345 amends Maryland law to allow vehicle dealer associations (businesses primarily owned by or representing dealers) to request administrative hearings on disputes with manufacturers, distributors, or factory branches. It revises Section 15-214 of the Maryland Transportation Code to explicitly include "dealer associations" as eligible to request hearings, alongside individual dealers or groups. This change expands the ability of dealer associations to resolve conflicts over franchise agreements or interpret provisions in the law. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects dealers, dealer associations, and vehicle manufacturers operating in Maryland.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

Third - Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers - Dealer and Manufacturer Associations - Administrative Hearings → Enrolled - Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers - Dealer and Manufacturer Associations - Administrative Hearings · 4 edits · May 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, adding official formatting and signatures required for state law. Substantively, the bill expanded the ability of vehicle dealer associations to request administrative hearings by adding specific eligibility criteria, ensuring disputes involve the association's core interests and do not require every individual member to participate.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new eligibility requirements for dealer associations seeking to file disputes, ensuring the association's interests are directly involved and the issue can be resolved without forcing every member to join the hearing.

REQUIREMENT

Added three specific conditions that must be met before a dealer association can request a hearing: at least one member must have a dispute, the interests must be germane to the association's purpose, and the relief requested must not require every individual member's participation.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Dealer Association' to clarify it is a business entity primarily owned by or composed of dealers representing a majority of franchises in the state.

Modified the definition of 'Manufacturer Association' to ensure it represents the interests of manufacturers rather than dealers.

TECHNICAL

Added enrolled bill formatting, including the Great Seal presentation text, proofreader signatures, and signature lines for the Governor and legislative leaders.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

48–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 49

Mar 26, 2026

D Democratic36

35 Yea 1

97% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 463

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 13, 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 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-1-6)

house of delegates

Mar 26, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (48-0-1)

senate

Mar 13, 2026

Committee

Referred Economic Matters

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors