By JARED WYRICK, President, WVADA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE WVADA Is Off to a Successful 2024 DOC FEE INCREASE, UPDATED FRANCHISE LAW, GREAT CONVENTION AND MORE Doc Fee Increase The DMV Dealer Advisory Board held a meeting on May 23, 2024, and voted unanimously to increase the documentary (doc) fee cap from $499 to $575. A $76 increase! Dennis Sheets made a motion to increase the cap to $575, and the motion was immediately seconded by Wally Thornhill. This increase will take effect July 1, 2024. In addition, the Dealer Advisory Board recommended beginning July 1, 2025, that the doc fee be tied to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index moving forward. The Dealer Advisory Board will continue to meet and approve the CPI increases annually and we will inform the dealer body of any adjustments. WVADA and the DMV Dealer Advisory Board have been working closely together for the past several months to deliver a win to West Virginia dealers by adjusting the doc fee to reflect a fair and equitable rate that is competitive with our surrounding states. This is a huge win for WVADA and its dealers! Updated Franchise Law — Effective June 5, 2024 As we continue enjoying the summer season, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past few months and the exciting times ahead. As we move through the rest of 2024 and prepare for the 2025 legislative session, our association and our dealers need to continue to build strong relationships with our legislative representatives. We had obstacles to overcome this past session but were able to push through to get our number one priority bill, the franchise bill, passed! The bill passed the Senate within the first week unanimously; the bill finally passed the House of Delegates: 87 -13. Sen. Rupie Phillips was the lead sponsor of our bill this session and he absolutely delivered every step of the way. “The dealer franchise model has proven time and time again that it is the absolute best model for consumers,” said Phillips. “I was honored to be the lead sponsor and appreciate the local economic impacts franchise dealers bring to their communities.” Here’s a brief summary of SB 173: SB 173 Modifying certain guidelines for motor vehicle dealers, distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers, otherwise known as our franchise bill. • Clarifies timeline for manufacturer to dispute the motor vehicle dealers request for adjustment to parts and labor rates. W. Va. Code 17A-6A-8a(g) • Clarifies that the 15-year period on dealer facilities apply to any subsequent dealer who obtains ownership. • Prohibits a manufacturer from amending the dealer agreement without the motor vehicle dealer’s consent. W. Va. Code 17A-6A-10(a)(12) • Clarifies a manufacturer obligation to provide a dealer with all of its makes and models, regardless of whether the model is electric, hybrid, gas or other means of propulsion. W. Va. Code 17A-6A-10(b)(2) WVADA News 6
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