Chapter 222

AN ACT FURTHER REGULATING BUSINESS PRACTICES BETWEEN MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.Section20E of chapter 90, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

(b) Within 45 days, the registered owner shall furnish to the? parking clerk in writing the name, address, date of birth, driver's license number and state of issuance of the driver's license of the lessee or rentee at the time of the violation.

SECTION 2. Said section20E of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following subsection:-

(j) All motor vehicle rental agreements or contracts shall contain language informing the rentees or lessees of their liability for payment of parking violations and, in the event of more than one lessee or rentee, that each lessee or rentee is joint and severably liable for payment of parking violations.???????????

SECTION 3. The General Laws are hereby amended by striking out chapter 93B and inserting in place thereof the following chapter:-

CHAPTER 93B.
REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES BETWEEN MOTOR
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS.

??????????? Section 1. As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings:

??????????? "Boundary", the property line of the address of the principal new motor vehicle sales facility approved by the manufacturer or distributor in the franchise agreement and utilized by a dealership of a specific line make; or in the case of a proposed new location, the property line of the address of the principal new motor vehicle sales facility that is intended to be used by the proposed new person or the relocating existing dealer.

??????????? "Dealer", "motor vehicle dealer" or "dealership", any person who, in the ordinary course of its business, is engaged in the business of selling new motor vehicles to consumers or other end users pursuant to a franchise agreement and who has obtained a class 1 license pursuant to the provisions of section 58 and 59 of chapter 140. It shall not include: (1) receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under judgment, decree or order of any court, or (2) public officers while performing their duties as such officers.

??????????? "Distributor", any person who is not a manufacturer or a motor vehicle dealer, and who sells or distributes new and unused motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers within the commonwealth or to any wholesaler who in turn sells or distributes such vehicles to motor vehicle dealers within the commonwealth; or any branch office or division maintained by any of such persons for directing and supervising their franchisor representatives.

??????????? "Dual" or "dualing", a motor vehicle dealer occupying and conducting business operations for one line make of new motor vehicles which is located in the dealership facilities described in the franchise agreement as dedicated, wholly or in part, to the operations governed by the franchise agreement, and from which it conducts its business operations for another line make of new motor vehicles.

??????????? "Franchise" or "franchise agreement", an oral or written arrangement for a definite or indefinite period in which a manufacturer or distributor grants to a motor vehicle dealer a license to use a trade name, service mark, or related characteristic, and in which there is a community of interest in the marketing of new motor vehicles or services related thereto at wholesale, retail, leasing, or otherwise.

??????????? "Franchisor representative", a person employed by a manufacturer or distributor for the purpose of promoting the sale of new motor vehicles or for supervising, servicing, instructing or contracting motor vehicle dealers or prospective motor vehicle dealers; and any officer, agent or other authorized representative of a manufacturer or distributor.

??????????? "Manufacturer", any person engaged in the business of manufacturing or assembling new and unused motor vehicles; any person holding majority ownership in any person encompassed within this definition of the term "manufacturer"; or any branch office or division maintained by the person for directing and supervising a franchisor representative.

??????????? "Motor vehicle", any motor driven vehicle or house trailer required to be registered under chapter 90 regardless of curb weight or required to be registered under sections 20 to 35, inclusive, of chapter 90B having a curb weight of not more than 1,000 pounds, or a truck camper.

??????????? "New motor vehicle", a motor vehicle which has not been previously sold to any person except a manufacturer, distributor or motor vehicle dealer for resale.

??????????? "Person", a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust or other entity.

??????????? "Powersport vehicle", any motor vehicle defined as a motorcycle or motorized bicycle by section 1 of chapter 90 and required to be registered under chapter 90 regardless of curb weight or any motor vehicle required to be registered under sections 20 to 35, inclusive, of chapter 90B having a curb weight of not more than 1,000 pounds.

??????????? "Recreational vehicle", a motor vehicle defined as an auto home or house trailer by section 1 of chapter 90 and required to be registered under chapter 90, or a truck camper.

??????????? "Relevant market area", the geographic area surrounding the boundary of a dealership, determined as follows:

??????????? (1) If all boundaries of a dealership located in the counties of Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth or Suffolk are 8 or more miles from the border of the counties of Barnstable, Berkshire, Dukes, Franklin, Hampshire, Nantucket and Worcester, then the geographic area shall be the entire land mass encompassed in a circle with a radius of 8 miles from any boundary of the dealership.

??????????? (2) If all boundaries of a dealership located in the counties of Barnstable, Berkshire, Dukes, Franklin, Hampshire, Nantucket or Worcester are 14 or more miles from the border of the counties of Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk, then the geographic area shall be the entire land mass encompassed in a circle with a radius of 14 miles from any boundary of the dealership.

??????????? (3) For all dealerships in the commonwealth which are not included within paragraphs (1) or (2), inclusive, of this definition, the geographic area shall be a land mass comprised of circular arc segments with a radius of 8 miles from any boundary of the dealership for the arc segments that fall within the counties of Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk; and with a radius of 14 miles from any boundary of the dealership for the arc segments that fall within the counties of Barnstable, Berkshire, Dukes, Franklin, Hampshire, Nantucket and Worcester.

??????????? (4) For any motor vehicle dealer who deals in whole or in part in powersport vehicles, notwithstanding subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3), the geographic area shall
be the entire land mass encompassed in a circle with a radius of 20 miles from any boundary of the dealership for that part of the dealership which deals in said powersport vehicles.

??????????? (5) For any motor vehicle dealer who deals in whole or in part in recreational vehicles, notwithstanding subparagraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4), the geographic area shall be the greater of the entire land mass encompassed in a circle with a radius of 25 miles from any boundary of the dealership or the area of responsibility of the dealer as defined in the franchise agreement or the combination of the 25 miles boundary and the area of responsibility for that part of the dealership which deals in recreational vehicles.

??????????? (6) For the purposes of this chapter, a radius measurement shall be drawn from the closest boundary of the existing dealership to the closest boundary of the site for the proposed dealership or relocation.

??????????? "Sale" or "sell", the issuance, transfer, agreement for transfer, exchange, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage in any form, whether by transfer in trust or otherwise, or lease of any motor vehicle or interest therein or of any franchise related thereto; and any option, subscription or other contract, or solicitation, looking to a sale, offer or attempt to sell, or lease in any form, whether spoken or written.? The delivery or gift, for any purpose including as a bonus, of a motor vehicle or franchise interest, shall be considered a sale of the motor vehicle or franchise interest.

??????????? Section 2. Any person who engages directly or indirectly in purposeful contacts in the commonwealth in connection with the offering or advertising for sale or has business dealings with respect to a motor vehicle in the commonwealth shall be subject to this chapter and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the commonwealth, upon service of process in accordance with chapter 223A.

??????????? Section 3. (a) Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as defined in section 4, are hereby declared to be unlawful.

??????????? (b) In construing subsection (a) the courts may be guided by the interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45.

??????????? (c) The attorney general may make rules and regulations interpreting the subsection (a). The rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the rules, regulations and decisions of the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts interpreting the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45.

??????????? Section 4. (a) It shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for any manufacturer, distributor, franchisor representative or motor vehicle dealer to engage in any action which is arbitrary, in bad faith, or unconscionable and which causes damage to the manufacturer, distributor, franchisor representative, motor vehicle dealer or to the public.??

??????????? (b) It shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for a manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative, to coerce, any motor vehicle dealer:

??????????? (1) to accept or buy any motor vehicle, appliance, equipment, part or accessory, or any other commodity or service which has not been ordered or requested by the motor vehicle dealer; or to require a motor vehicle dealer to accept, buy, order or purchase a motor vehicle, appliance, equipment, optional part or accessory, or any commodity or service or anything of value whether supplied or rendered by the manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative in order to obtain any motor vehicle or any other commodity which has been ordered or requested by the motor vehicle dealer.

??????????? (2) to order or accept delivery of any motor vehicle with special features, appliances, accessories or equipment not included in the list price of the motor vehicles as publicly advertised by the manufacturer or distributor thereof.

??????????? (3) to order for any person and require acceptance of any parts, accessories, equipment, machinery, tools, appliances or any commodity whatsoever.

??????????? (c) It shall be deemed a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for a manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative:

??????????? (1) to adopt, change, establish or implement a plan or system for the allocation or distribution of new motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers which is arbitrary or unfair or to modify an existing plan so as to cause the same to be arbitrary or unfair; but it shall not be a violation of this paragraph for a manufacturer or distributor to maintain a pool of new motor vehicles in a reasonable quantity that are not included in the regular allocation, subject to the following limitations:

??????????? (i) the quantity of new motor vehicles selected by the manufacturer or distributor to include in the pool shall not exceed 15 per cent of all new motor vehicles that would otherwise be available in the current allocation and shall not exceed 15 per cent of any given model based on all new motor vehicles that would otherwise be available in the current allocation; and

(ii) new motor vehicles in the pool may be distributed in the discretion of the manufacturer or distributor for any business purpose that the manufacturer or distributor considers appropriate; provided, however, that such distribution is not in violation of paragraphs (5) or (6); but in distributing new motor vehicles from the pool to any dealership in which the manufacturer or distributor has an ownership or real estate interest, the manufacturer or distributor shall not exercise its discretion based solely on the fact that the manufacturer or distributor has an ownership or real estate interest in any dealership.

??????????? (2) to fail or refuse to advise or disclose to any motor vehicle dealer having a franchise agreement, upon written request therefor, the methodology upon which new motor vehicles of the same line make are allocated or distributed to motor vehicle dealers in the commonwealth and the methodology upon which the current allocation or distribution is being made or will be made to a motor vehicle dealer; but this paragraph shall not apply to any vehicles included in the pool of new motor vehicles described in paragraph (1).

??????????? (3) to refuse to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order by any motor vehicle dealer having a franchise agreement for the retail sale of new motor vehicles sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, any motor vehicles covered by the franchise publicly advertised in media broadcast or distributed in the commonwealth by the manufacturer or distributor to be available for immediate delivery; but the failure to deliver any motor vehicle shall not be considered a violation of this chapter if the failure is due to an act of God, work stoppage or delay due to a strike or labor difficulty, shortage of materials, lack of available manufacturing capacity, freight embargo or a cause over which the manufacturer or distributor has no control.

??????????? (4) to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to enter into any agreement with the manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative, or to do any other act prejudicial to the dealer, by threatening to terminate any franchise agreement; but, notice in good faith, including notice of termination or nonrenewal, to any motor vehicle dealer based on the dealer's violation of any terms or provisions of its franchise agreement or of any law or regulation applicable to the conduct of a motor vehicle dealership, or petitioning any court for a declaration that the notice is issued for good cause, shall not constitute a violation of this chapter.

??????????? (5) to offer to sell or to sell any new motor vehicle to any motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price offered contemporaneously to any other motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth for the same model vehicle similarly equipped or to utilize any device including, but not limited to, sales promotion plans or programs which result in the lesser actual price unless available on equal terms to all dealers located in the commonwealth; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to sales to a motor vehicle dealer for resale to any unit of the federal government or any agency thereof or to the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions; provided further, that this paragraph shall not apply to sales to a motor vehicle dealer of any motor vehicle ultimately sold, donated or used by the dealer in a driver education program.? The preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not apply so long as a manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative offers to sell or sells new motor vehicles to all motor vehicle dealers located in the commonwealth at an equal price.? In connection with a sale of a motor vehicle or vehicles to a motor vehicle dealer for resale to any unit of the federal government or any agency thereof or to the commonwealth or to any political subdivision thereof, no manufacturer or distributor shall offer any discounts, refunds or any other similar type of inducement to any dealer without making the same offer available to all other of its dealers within the relevant market area, and if the inducements are made, the manufacturer or distributor shall give simultaneous notice thereof to all of its dealers within the relevant market area.

??????????? (6) to offer to sell or to sell any new motor vehicle to any person located in the commonwealth, except a distributor, at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price offered and charged contemporaneously to a motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth for the same model vehicle similarly equipped or to utilize any device which results in such lesser actual price unless the same is available on equal terms to all dealers located in the commonwealth; but this paragraph shall not apply to sales by a manufacturer or distributor to any unit of the federal government or any agency thereof or to the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions.

??????????? (7) to offer to sell or to sell parts or accessories to any new motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth for use in its own business for the purpose of repairing or replacing the same or a comparable part or accessory, at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price charged contemporaneously to any other new motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth for similar parts or accessories for use in its own business; but in those cases where motor vehicle dealers operate and serve as wholesalers of parts and accessories to retail outlets, nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent a manufacturer or distributor from selling to a motor vehicle dealer who operates and serves as a wholesaler of parts and accessories, the parts and accessories ordered by said motor vehicle dealer for resale to retail outlets at a lower actual price than the actual price charged a motor vehicle dealer who does not operate or serve as a wholesaler of parts and accessories.

??????????? (8) to impose upon any motor vehicle dealer or any director, officer, partner or stockholder thereof or any other person holding or otherwise owning an interest therein, by or through the terms and provisions of a franchise agreement or otherwise, unreasonable restrictions upon the financial arrangement or structure of a dealership, upon the method and manner by which the dealership finances or intends to finance its operation, equipment and facilities or upon the ability of any individual, proprietor or stockholder to use, sell or transfer any interest in the dealership or to enter into and implement any testamentary arrangement with respect thereto.? A manufacturer or distributor may require that any director, officer, partner or stockholder of a motor vehicle dealer, or any other person holding or otherwise owning an interest therein, be identified as such and may establish reasonable standards concerning the capital and facilities needed for dealership operations and concerning continuity of dealership management.? There shall be no assignment, delegation or transfer of the franchise or management or control thereunder without the written consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.?? The manufacturer or distributor shall promptly mail a dealership application to a proposed assignee, delegee or transferee following any request therefor submitted by the proposed assigning, delegating or transferring motor vehicle dealer.? The proposed assignee, delegee, or transferee shall submit the application to the manufacturer or distributor with all supporting documentation as specified therein by the manufacturer or distributor.?? The manufacturer or distributor shall, within 30 days of receipt of the application and all supporting documentation as specified therein, review it and notify the assignee, delegee, or transferee what additional information, data, or documents, if any, is needed by the manufacturer or distributor to complete its review.? Upon the submission of all specified additional information, data, or documents by the assignee, delegee, or transferee, said manufacturer or distributor shall, within 30 days of receipt of all of the specified additional information, make its decision to approve or reject the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer.? If the manufacturer or distributor does not reject such application within 30 days after the submission of all of the requested additional information, data, or documents, the application shall be considered approved for all purposes, unless the 30 day deadline is extended by mutual agreement of the manufacturer or distributor and the proposed assigning, delegating, or transferring dealer.? If the manufacturer or distributor did not request any additional information, data, or documents, the manufacturer or distributor shall, within 60 days of the receipt of the application and all supporting documentation as specified therein, review the application and approve or reject it.? If the manufacturer or distributor does not reject the application within 60 days of receipt of the application and all supporting documentation as specified therein, the application shall be considered approved for all purposes, unless the 60 day deadline is extended by mutual agreement of the manufacturer or distributor and the proposed assigning, delegating, or transferring dealer.? If a franchise agreement specifies that the consent of the manufacturer or distributor must be obtained before? a dealer engages in dualing, the consent shall not unreasonably be withheld; but this sentence shall not modify or supersede any term of a franchise agreement requiring a dealer to maintain an exclusive facility for its operations.

??????????? (9) to obtain money, goods, services, anything of value, or any other benefit from any other person with whom the motor vehicle dealer does business, on account of or in relation to the transactions between the dealer and the other person as compensation except for services actually rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for and transmitted to the motor vehicle dealer.

(10) to own or operate, either directly or indirectly through any subsidiary, parent company or firm, a motor vehicle dealership located in the commonwealth of the same line make as any of the vehicles manufactured, assembled or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor.? A manufacturer or distributor shall not be in violation of this paragraph when: (i) owning or operating a dealership temporarily for a reasonable period, in any case not to exceed 1 year;? (ii) in a bona fide relationship in which an independent person is required to make an initial ownership investment subject to loss in the dealership of not less than 7 per cent of the equity investment and can be reasonably expected, pursuant to a bona fide written agreement in effect between the manufacturer or distributor and the independent person, to acquire full ownership of the dealership on reasonable terms and conditions and within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 12 years unless good cause exists to extend said 12 year time period; provided, however, that the source for said initial ownership investment shall be from investors or lenders other than the manufacturer or distributor holding an ownership in the dealership; and provided, further, that for the purposes of clause (ii), good cause shall mean circumstances that are beyond the reasonable control of the independent person or the manufacturer or distributor holding an ownership in the dealership; (iii) owning or operating a dealership selling recreational vehicles temporarily during the transition from one owner of the dealership to another that the temporary period may be extended in 1 year increments for a maximum extension up to 2 years, if good cause is shown; provided, further, that the manufacturer or distributor who owns or operates a dealership selling recreational vehicles upon owning or operating the dealership shall immediately make a reasonable effort to notify all dealerships selling recreational vehicles in the commonwealth that the dealership is for sale, the earliest date that the manufacturer took ownership or began operating the dealership and the contact person to arrange the sale of the dealership.

(11) to coerce a motor vehicle dealer to assent to a release, assignment, novation, waiver or estoppel which would prospectively relieve any person from liability imposed by this chapter.

(12) to act to accomplish, either directly or indirectly through any parent company, subsidiary, or agent, what would otherwise be prohibited under this chapter on the part of the manufacturer or distributor.? This section shall not limit the right of any parent company, subsidiary, or agent to engage in business practices otherwise lawful in accordance with the usage of the trade in which it is engaged.

??????????? (d) It shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for a motor vehicle dealer:

??????????? (1) to require a purchaser of a new motor vehicle, as a condition of sale and delivery thereof, to also purchase special features, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories not desired or requested by the purchaser; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply as to special features, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories which are already installed on the motor vehicle when received by the dealer; provided further, that the motor vehicle dealer prior to the consummation of the purchase reveals to the purchaser the substance of this paragraph;

??????????? (2) to represent and sell as a new motor vehicle any motor vehicle which has been used and operated for demonstration purposes or which is otherwise a used motor vehicle; or

??????????? (3) to assign, delegate or transfer its franchise agreement, or any ownership interest or management control in the dealership, without the prior written consent of the manufacturer or distributor, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

??????????? Section 5. (a) It shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for a manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative without good cause, in bad faith or in an arbitrary or unconscionable manner: (1) to terminate the franchise agreement of a motor vehicle dealer; (2) to fail or refuse to extend or renew the franchise agreement of a motor vehicle dealer upon its expiration; (3) to offer a renewal, replacement or succeeding franchise agreement containing terms and conditions the effect of which is to substantially change the sales and service obligations, capital requirements or facilities requirements of a motor vehicle dealer; or (4) to amend, add or delete any other material term or condition set forth in a motor vehicle dealer's franchise agreement.

??????????? (b) A manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative shall send notice to a motor vehicle dealer in writing of the termination of the franchise agreement of the dealer at least 60 days before the effective date thereof, stating the specific grounds for such termination; and a manufacturer, distributor or franchisor? representative shall send notice to a motor vehicle dealer in writing at least 60 days before the contractual term of its franchise agreement expires when the same will not be renewed stating the specific grounds for the nonrenewal, or when the same will be renewed but with changes, amendments, additions or deletions of the type described in subsection (a).

??????????? (c) If the basis for the termination of or refusal to renew the franchise agreement of a motor vehicle dealer is due to a failure to comply with the manufacturer's or distributor's reasonable sales performance criteria, the manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative shall, at least 180 days before sending any notice of termination or nonrenewal described in subsection (b) inform said motor vehicle dealer in writing of the sales performance deficiency and shall include a specific statement as to what the dealer must achieve in terms of sales performance in order to cure the deficiency.? The writing shall explicitly state that a notice of termination or nonrenewal shall follow should the sales performance deficiency not be cured within the 180 day cure period.? If the basis for the termination of or refusal to renew the franchise agreement of a powersport vehicle dealer is due to a failure to comply with the manufacturer's or distributor's reasonable sales performance criteria, the manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative shall, at least 135 days prior to sending any notice of termination or nonrenewal described in subsection (b), inform the powersport vehicle dealer in writing of the sales performance deficiency and shall include a specific statement as to what the dealer must achieve in terms of performance in order to cure the deficiency.? The writing shall explicitly state that a notice of termination or nonrenewal shall follow should the sales performance deficiency not be cured within the 135 day cure period.

??????????? (d) Notwithstanding subsection (b), only 15 days notice before an effective termination date shall be required if:

??????????? (1) a motor vehicle dealer's facilities have been abandoned or closed for more than 7 consecutive business days;

??????????? (2) a motor vehicle dealer or any dealer principal named in the franchise agreement has pleaded no contest, pleaded guilty to or has been convicted of a felony, whether or not related to the motor vehicle dealer's operation of its dealership;

??????????? (3) a motor vehicle dealer becomes insolvent, or any petition is filed by or against a motor vehicle dealer under any bankruptcy or receivership law; or

??????????? (4) any license that a motor vehicle dealer is required to have to operate its dealership is revoked, suspended or not renewed.

??????????? (e) In no event shall any franchise agreement expire, without the written consent of the motor vehicle dealer involved, before the expiration of the applicable notice period set forth in subsection (b) or (d), as applicable.

??????????? (f) Within the applicable notice period set forth in subsections (b) or (d), either the motor vehicle dealer or the manufacturer or distributor may file a complaint in the superior court, or if applicable in the federal district court for the district of Massachusetts, to enforce or enjoin a termination, nonrenewal or renewal upon changes, amendments, additions or deletions of the type described in subsection (a); but nothing contained in this subsection shall relieve a party from the requirements of subsection (b) of section 15. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, trial shall be held within 120 days of the expiration of the applicable notice period but not sooner than 90 days after the expiration of the applicable notice period, notwithstanding any standing orders, presumptive time standards, or administrative directives issued or established by the superior court or the federal district court providing for either an earlier or later time for trial.? Failure of either party to file a complaint within the time period set forth in subsections (b) and (d) shall bar the filing of a complaint on such grounds at any time in the future.? If no protest is filed by any party having received proper notice, or if no injunction is issued during protest litigation, or if the injunction is vacated or dissolved, the termination, nonrenewal or modification may proceed.

??????????? (g) The court shall have authority, applying customary standards governing the issuance of injunctive relief in accordance with Massachusetts or Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as applicable, to enjoin the effective date of the termination or nonrenewal or to enjoin the implementation of a renewal franchise agreement, pending a determination by the trial court of the issues raised by a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (f). Pending a decision by the court on any motion for an injunction, the manufacturer or distributor and motor vehicle dealer shall in good faith perform all obligations incumbent upon them under the franchise agreement and applicable law.

??????????? (h) For purposes of this section, good cause may be found if the motor vehicle dealer failed to comply with or observe a provision of the franchise agreement that is material to the franchise relationship, including without limitation, reasonable sales and service performance criteria and capital, personnel, and facility requirements, which were communicated in writing to the motor vehicle dealer within a reasonable period before the effective date of the termination or nonrenewal, such that a reasonable opportunity to cure was afforded.

??????????? (i) For purposes of this section, the following conditions shall not constitute good cause:

??????????? (1) the motor vehicle dealer's refusal to purchase or accept delivery of any parts, accessories or any other goods, products or services provided or supplied by the manufacturer or distributor which were not ordered or requested;

??????????? (2) a manufacturer or distributor requiring, as a term or condition to entering into a renewal franchise agreement, that a motor vehicle dealer or dealer principal relinquish or diminish the extent of any right that exists under an expiring franchise agreement to dual; but if the expiring franchise agreement states that the motor vehicle dealer or dealer principal may not dual, the manufacturer or distributor may require the continuation of the provision as a condition to entering into a renewal franchise agreement.

??????????? (j) In determining whether good cause has been established for terminating, refusing to extend or renew or changing or modifying the obligations of the motor vehicle dealer as a condition to offering a renewal, replacement or succeeding franchise agreement, the court shall consider all pertinent circumstances, that may include, but shall not be limited to:

??????????? (1) the amount of business transacted by the affected motor vehicle dealer during the 3 year period immediately preceding such notice as compared to the business available to it;

??????????? (2) the investment necessarily made and obligations incurred by the affected motor vehicle dealer to perform its obligations under the existing franchise agreement;

??????????? (3) the permanency of the investment of the affected motor vehicle dealer;

??????????? (4) whether it is injurious or beneficial to the public welfare for the franchise agreement of the affected motor vehicle dealer to expire, to be modified, or to be terminated, or for the affected motor vehicle dealer to be replaced;

??????????? (5) whether the affected motor vehicle dealer has adequate motor vehicle sales and service facilities, equipment, vehicle parts and qualified personnel to reasonably provide for the needs of the consumers for motor vehicles handled by the affected motor vehicle dealer;

??????????? (6) whether the affected motor vehicle dealer has been and is rendering adequate services to the public; and

??????????? (7) the existence and materiality of any breaches, defaults or violations by the affected motor vehicle dealer of the terms or provisions of the existing franchise agreement or of applicable law.

??????????? (k) In the event of a termination, the manufacturer or distributor shall:

??????????? (1) within 60 days from the effective date of the termination, repurchase all new, unused, undamaged and unaltered motor vehicles of the current model year that it sold to the dealer and any other such vehicles that it sold to the dealer within 180 days before the notice of termination, at a price equal to the amount paid therefor by the motor vehicle dealer less all incentives and allowances received by the dealer; provided, however, that the motor vehicles which are recreational vehicles of the current model year and any other recreational vehicles sold to the dealer within 180 days before the notice of termination shall be repurchased; provided, further, this paragraph shall not apply to a? recreational vehicle manufacturer if the termination was initiated by the dealer for reasons other than the manufacturer's material breach of contract; provided, further, that the dealer has transferred to the manufacturer or distributor full right and legal title to the vehicles before their repurchase.

??????????? (2) if requested by the dealer within the same 60 day period, repurchase all genuine new and unused motor vehicle parts and accessories that it sold to the motor vehicle dealer so long as the same are undamaged, in their original packaging and listed in the current parts and accessories price list of the manufacturer or distributor, at a price equal to the wholesale price stated in the current parts and accessories price list of the manufacturer or distributor less all incentives and allowances received by the dealer and without reduction for such repurchase or for processing or handling the repurchase; if the dealer has transferred to the manufacturer or distributor full right and legal title to the parts and accessories before their repurchase; and

??????????? (3) if requested by the dealer within the same 60 day period, repurchase the new and used equipment that it sold to the motor vehicle dealer at its then fair market value, including, but not limited to, signs, special tools and manuals, which the manufacturer or distributor required the motor vehicle dealer to purchase; if the dealer has transferred to the manufacturer or distributor full right and legal title to the equipment before their repurchase.

??????????? (l) In the event that a termination or nonrenewal becomes effective, the former motor vehicle dealer shall immediately cease all use of, and remove from public display, all identifying marks or logotypes which it formerly was permitted to use under the franchise agreement, including but not limited to the prompt removal of signage from the dealership premises.

??????????? (m) The burden to establish that a termination, nonrenewal or renewal upon changes, amendments, additions or deletions of the type described in subsection (a) was for good cause shall be upon the manufacturer or distributor.? The burden to establish that a termination, nonrenewal or renewal upon changes, amendments, additions or deletions of the type described in subsection (a) was in bad faith, or was in an arbitrary or unconscionable manner, shall be upon the motor vehicle dealer.

??????????? Section 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for a manufacturer, distributor or franchisor representative without good cause, in bad faith or in an arbitrary or unconscionable manner to:

??????????? (1) grant or enter into a franchise agreement with a person who would be permitted under or required by the franchise agreement to conduct its dealership operations from a site any boundary of which is situated within the relevant market area of an existing motor vehicle dealer representing the same line make, regardless of whether said franchise agreement delineates a specific area of responsibility or provides that the area of responsibility of said existing motor vehicle dealer is to be shared or operated in common with others; or

??????????? (2) permit the relocation of an existing motor vehicle dealer representing the same line make as another existing motor vehicle dealer to a site any boundary of which is within the relevant market area of an existing motor vehicle dealer which is not relocating, regardless of whether the franchise agreement of either motor vehicle dealer delineates a specific area of responsibility or provides that the area of responsibility of either motor vehicle dealer is to be shared or operated in common with others; but a dealer of the same line make shall not be permitted to file a protest if the site of the proposed relocation is farther away from said protesting dealer than the existing location.

??????????? (b) Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit or prevent:

??????????? (1) the relocation of an existing motor vehicle dealer to a location within the existing dealer's own relevant market area; if the proposed new location is not within a

4 mile radius of any other same line make motor vehicle dealer unless the site of the proposed relocation is farther away from the protesting dealer than the existing location;

??????????? (2) the appointment of a successor motor vehicle dealer at the same location as??? its predecessor, or within a 2 mile radius from any boundary of the predecessor's former location, but at a location that is not within a 4 mile radius of any boundary of any other same line make motor vehicle dealer unless the site of the proposed location is farther away from the protesting dealer than the existing location, within 1 year from the date on which the predecessor ceased operations or was terminated, whichever occurred later; or

??????????? (3) the entering into of a renewal, replacement or succeeding franchise agreement with an existing motor vehicle dealer whose operations will continue at the dealer's then current location.? Nothing contained in this paragraph shall relieve a manufacturer or distributor from complying with the provisions of section 5 if the renewal, replacement or succeeding franchise agreement contains any term or condition the effect of which is to substantially change the sales and service obligations, capital requirements or facilities requirements of the motor vehicle dealer, or amends, adds or deletes any other material term or condition set forth in the motor vehicle dealer's franchise agreement.

??????????? (c) Any manufacturer or distributor which intends to grant or enter into an additional franchise agreement or to approve the relocation of an existing dealer, other than an appointment, relocation or renewal of a type described in subsection (b), shall, at least 90 days before granting the additional franchise, entering into the franchise agreement or approving the relocation, send written notice of its intention to do so to each motor vehicle dealer with a franchise agreement covering the same line make into whose relevant market area the proposed new franchise or relocated dealer will be located.? The notice shall state the effective date on or after which the proposed franchise shall be granted or entered into or relocation approved, list specific grounds forming the basis for the appointment or relocation based upon information known by the manufacturer or distributor at the time that the notice is sent, and state the address to which any protest hereunder shall be delivered or sent.

??????????? (d) Within 45 days after the notice required under subsection (c) has been sent, any motor vehicle dealer into whose relevant market area the additional dealer is to be located or relocated may object to the appointment or relocation, as the case may be, by sending a protest in writing to the location specified in the manufacturer's or distributor's notice.? The protest shall list the specific grounds forming the basis for filing the protest based upon information known by the protesting dealer at the time that the protest is sent.

??????????? (e) If a written protest is provided by a motor vehicle dealer in the manner and time required by subsection (d), either the motor vehicle dealer or the manufacturer or distributor may file a complaint, within 90 days after the notice required under subsection (c) was sent to the protesting motor vehicle dealer, in the superior court, or if applicable in the federal district court for the district of Massachusetts, to enforce or enjoin the proposed appointment or relocation; but nothing contained in this subsection shall relieve a party from the requirements of subsection (b) of section 15.? Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, trial shall be held within 120 days of the expiration of the notice period set forth in subsection (c) but not sooner than 90 days after the expiration of the notice period, notwithstanding any standing orders, presumptive time standards, or administrative directives issued or established by the superior court or the federal district court providing for either an earlier or later time for holding the trial.? Failure of either party to file a complaint within the time period set forth in this subsection shall bar the filing of a complaint on such grounds at any time in the future.? If no protest is filed by any party having received proper notice, or if no injunction is issued during protest litigation, or if any such injunction is vacated or dissolved, the appointment or relocation may proceed.

??????????? (f) In all judicial proceedings concerning the protest:

??????????? (1) the fact that a protesting dealer has standing shall not be considered by the court in assessing the merits of the protest;

??????????? (2) the proposed new dealer appointee or proposed relocating dealer, as the case may be, if it so desires, shall be permitted by the court to participate as a party in an ongoing action solely for the purpose of presenting evidence concerning any of the factors listed in subsection (g); but the proposed new dealer appointee or proposed relocating dealer shall not be entitled to initiate a suit or to recover any damages or attorneys' fees pursuant to this chapter; and

??????????? (3) the court shall have the authority, applying customary standards governing the issuance of injunctive relief in accordance with Massachusetts or Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as applicable, to enjoin the proposed appointment or relocation pending a determination by the trial court of the issues raised by a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (e).

??????????? (g) In determining whether the proposed appointment or relocation is for good cause, the court shall consider all pertinent circumstances, that include but are not limited to:

??????????? (1) whether the establishment of the additional franchise or relocation of the existing motor vehicle dealer appeared to be warranted by economic and marketing conditions including anticipated future changes;

??????????? (2) the retail sales and service business transacted by the protesting motor vehicle dealer or dealers and other motor vehicle dealers of the same line make with a place of business in the relevant market area to be served by the additional franchise or proposed new location of an existing motor vehicle dealer during the 3 year period immediately preceding the notice as compared to the business available to them;

??????????? (3) the investment necessarily made and obligations incurred by the protesting motor vehicle dealer or dealers to perform their obligations under existing franchise agreements;

??????????? (4) the permanency of the investment of the protesting motor vehicle dealer or dealers;

??????????? (5) whether it is beneficial or injurious to the public welfare for an additional franchise to be established or for the existing motor vehicle dealer to be relocated;

??????????? (6) whether the protesting motor vehicle dealer or dealers and other motor vehicle dealers of the same line make with a place of business in the relevant market area to be served by the additional franchise or proposed relocating motor vehicle dealer are providing adequate competition and convenient consumer care for the motor vehicles of the same line make owned or operated by residents and persons with places of business in the relevant market area to be served by the additional franchise or proposed relocating motor vehicle dealer;

??????????? (7) whether the protesting motor vehicle dealer or dealers and other motor vehicle dealers of the same line make with a place of business in the relevant market area to be served by the additional franchise or proposed relocating motor vehicle dealer have adequate motor vehicle sales and service facilities, equipment, vehicle parts and qualified personnel to reasonably provide for the needs of the consumers in the relevant market area to be served by the additional franchise or proposed relocating motor vehicle dealer; and,

??????????? (8) whether the establishment of an additional franchise or relocation of an existing motor vehicle dealer would increase competition and therefore be in the public interest.

??????????? (h) The burden to establish that a proposed appointment or relocation is for good cause shall be upon the manufacturer or distributor.? The burden to establish that a proposed appointment or relocation is in bad faith, or is in an arbitrary or unconscionable manner, shall be upon the protesting motor vehicle dealer.

??????????? Section 7. (a) No manufacturer, distributor or dealer shall use any false or misleading advertisement in connection with its business as a manufacturer, distributor or dealer.

??????????? (b) Any motor vehicle dealer advertising the price of a new motor vehicle shall include all charges of any type, except taxes, and shall include, without limitation, any charges for freight, handling or preparation necessary or usual before delivery to the consumer.

??????????? Section 8. (a) Notwithstanding any terms or provisions of a franchise agreement to the contrary, a manufacturer or distributor shall indemnify its motor vehicle dealers and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, losses, and reasonable expenses of suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or incurred in the defense of any claim brought by any person seeking compensation or other relief predicated upon the negligent design or manufacture of a new motor vehicle, or any part or component thereof, manufactured or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor where the basis for liability is finally determined by a court to be solely the result of such negligence by? manufacturer or distributor and not in any way the result of any fault or neglect on the part of the motor vehicle dealer.? The manufacturer or distributor, after having been notified promptly in writing by the motor vehicle dealer that the claim has been asserted and is pending, shall assume the defense thereof and resolve the same at its own expense.

??????????? (b) Notwithstanding any terms or provisions of a franchise agreement to the contrary, a motor vehicle dealer shall indemnify the manufacturer of any new motor vehicle purchased or otherwise acquired by the motor vehicle dealer, and any distributor through which it purchased or acquired the same, and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, losses and reasonable expenses of suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or incurred in the defense of any claim brought by any person seeking compensation or other relief predicated upon the negligent act or omission of the motor vehicle dealer where the basis for liability is finally determined by a court to be solely the result of the negligence of the motor vehicle dealer and not in any way the result of any fault or neglect on the part of the manufacturer or distributor.? The motor vehicle dealer, after having been notified promptly in writing by? manufacturer or distributor that a claim has been asserted and is pending, shall assume the defense thereof and resolve the same at its own expense.

??????????? (c) Any person entitled to indemnification under this section may bring an action in superior court, or if applicable in the federal district court for the district of Massachusetts, by way of original complaint, counterclaim or third-party action.? If the court finds for the person, recovery shall be in the amount of actual damages, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs; but the person against whom any claim is asserted under this section may tender within 30 days after service of the complaint in the action a written offer of settlement containing specific settlement terms.? If the offer of settlement is not accepted within 15 days, and if the court finds that the relief offered was reasonable in relation to the actual damages, not including attorneys' fees and costs, the court award shall not exceed the amount offered.

??????????? Section 9. (a) Every manufacturer or distributor shall specify to its motor vehicle dealers the delivery and preparation work, if any, to be performed by its motor vehicle dealers.? The compensation provided for the services shall be reasonable.

??????????? (b) Every manufacturer or distributor shall within a reasonable time fulfill its obligations under all express warranty agreements made by them with respect to any product manufactured, distributed or sold by them and shall adequately and fairly compensate any motor vehicle dealer who, in accordance with its franchise obligations, furnishes labor and materials pursuant to the warranty agreements.? Unless the manufacturer or distributor and motor vehicle dealer otherwise agree in writing, fair and adequate compensation shall, for purposes of this section, be computed at the rate normally charged by the motor vehicle dealer to the public for the labor and materials and shall include a fair charge for diagnostic and test services; provided, however, that fair and adequate compensation shall, for purposes of this section for powersport vehicles, be computed at the rate normally charged by the motor vehicle dealer to the public for the labor and materials and shall include a fair charge for diagnostic and test services;? provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing fair and adequate compensation shall, for purposes of this section for recreational vehicles, be computed at the rate normally charged by the motor vehicle dealer to the public for the labor and shall include a fair charge for diagnostic and test services, and shall, for the purposes of this section for recreational vehicles, be computed for the materials at the rate of not less than actual wholesale cost, plus a handling charge of 30 per cent? of the cost and the cost, if any, of freight to return the warranty materials to the manufacturer.? All claims made by a motor vehicle dealer under this section for labor and materials shall be either approved or disapproved within 30 days after their receipt.? When the claim is disapproved the motor vehicle dealer who submits it shall be notified in writing of its disapproval within the 30 day period, and the notice shall state the specific grounds upon which the disapproval is based.? All such claims shall be paid within 30 days following their approval.

??????????? (c) Every manufacturer or distributor shall retain the right to audit claims submitted by a motor vehicle dealer and paid by the manufacturer or distributor for warranty service, parts recall service, and sales incentive, bonus, or other claims relating to the sale of new motor vehicles or services, for 1 year after the date on which a claim is paid or the end of any program period, whichever is later, and to charge back any amounts paid on claims identified in subsections (d) and (e).? If there is evidence of fraud or if there has been fraudulent concealment, said manufacturer or distributor shall have a right to audit records for periods exceeding 1 year.

??????????? (d) A warranty service or part recall service claim submitted by a motor vehicle dealer and paid by the manufacturer or distributor may be charged back to the motor vehicle dealer only if the claim was fraudulent or false, the repairs were not properly made or were not necessary to remedy the defective condition, or the motor vehicle dealer failed to comply with the reasonable written requirements of the manufacturer or distributor in effect at the time the claim was presented for payment.

??????????? (e) A sales incentive, bonus or comparable claim relating to the sale of new motor vehicles or services submitted by a motor vehicle dealer and paid by the manufacturer or distributor may be charged back to the motor vehicle dealer only if the claim was fraudulent or false, the sales were not made, the sales were not timely, or the motor vehicle dealer failed to comply with the reasonable written requirements of the manufacturer or distributor in effect at the time that the claim was presented for payment.

??????????? (f) The persons conducting an audit shall use their best efforts while present at the dealership facility not to unreasonably interfere with the ongoing business of the dealer.? All audits shall be completed within a reasonable period of time.

??????????? (g) In conducting an audit or examination, the amount of a discrepancy for any period shall not be determined in whole or in part by extrapolating audit or examination results from a prior or subsequent period without the consent of the dealer.

??????????? (h) The results of each audit or examination shall be compiled in writing and a copy shall be timely provided to the motor vehicle dealer not later than the time that any charge back occurs.? The motor vehicle dealer may protest the results of the audit, including the manner in which it was conducted.

??????????? (i) It shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for any manufacturer or distributor to audit or examine any sales or service account or activity of a motor vehicle dealer as retribution because the motor vehicle dealer exercised any right or remedy under this chapter or exercised any right pursuant to its franchise agreement.

??????????? (j) If a motor vehicle dealer is required to file an incentive payment claim with the manufacturer or distributor, then the motor vehicle dealer may submit any such incentive claim at anytime within 6 months after the date of the retail sale or the end of the program period, whichever is later; but if the incentive program does not require the motor vehicle dealer to file any claim form or take any action other than to report retail sales to the manufacturer or distributor, then the manufacturer or distributor may base the incentive payment upon the sales which the motor vehicle dealer timely and accurately reports, as determined by the reasonable written requirements of the manufacturer or distributor in effect at the time that the sales were made, during the period of the incentive program.

??????????? Section 10. (a) It shall be unlawful for a manufacturer or distributor, directly or indirectly, to coerce a motor vehicle dealer to agree to any restrictions relative to transfer, sale, ability to renew, termination, discipline, noncompetition covenants, site control, whether by sublease, collateral pledge of lease, or otherwise, right of first refusal to purchase, option to purchase, compliance with subjective standards and assertion of legal or equitable rights.? A refusal by a dealer to grant the restrictions to a manufacturer or distributor shall not be a basis for the manufacturer or distributor to deny an appointment to a new dealer, renewal to an existing dealer or relocation of a dealer's facilities to an existing dealer; but if the dealer has previously and voluntarily granted any of these rights, the manufacturer or distributor may require the terms in a renewal of a franchise agreement.

??????????? (b) Nothing contained in subsection (a) shall prevent a motor vehicle dealer and a manufacturer or distributor from freely and voluntarily entering into an agreement containing the restrictions.? If a manufacturer or distributor exercises a right of first refusal over a franchise or facilities as described in this subsection, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the dealer in writing within 45 days of the receipt of the dealer's completed proposal for the transfer, assignment or sale, of its intention to exercise its right of first refusal.? Within 30 days of the date of issuance of the notice of intent, the manufacturer or distributor shall exercise the right of first refusal or it shall be considered waived.? The manufacturer or distributor shall reimburse all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the proposed owner or transferee before the new motor vehicle dealer's receipt of the manufacturer or distributor's notice of intent to exercise its right of first refusal.? The exercise of the right of first refusal shall result in the dealer and dealer's owners receiving consideration, terms, and conditions that are either the same as or greater than that which they have contracted to receive in connection with the proposed change or transfer.? The manufacturer or distributor shall not exercise any right of first refusal over a sale by the motor vehicle dealer to a co-owner of the dealership, to a member of the management of the dealership who was previously approved by the manufacturer or distributor as a management employee, or to an immediate family member of the dealer or co-owner; but nothing contained in this subsection shall relieve a manufacturer or distributor from complying with paragraph (8) of subsection (c) of section 4 if a right of first refusal is not exercised in accordance with this subsection, nor relieve a motor vehicle dealer from complying with paragraph 3 of subsection (d) of said section 4.

??????????? (c) It shall be a violation of subsection (a) of section 3 for a manufacturer or distributor to falsely express an intention to exercise a right of first refusal or other right to acquire a motor vehicle dealership from a dealer as a means to influence the consideration or other terms offered by a person in connection with the acquisition of the motor vehicle dealership or to influence a person to refrain from entering into, or to withdraw from, negotiations for the acquisition of the motor vehicle dealership.

??????????? (d) A motor vehicle dealer's financial data shall, except for compliance with applicable law or in use in judicial or administrative proceedings, remain the property of the motor vehicle dealer and shall not be made publicly available by the manufacturer or distributor in a manner that identifies the dealer that provided the financial data without the written consent of said dealer.

??????????? Section 11. This chapter shall apply to all actions by a manufacturer or distributor which relate to the franchise relationship and which arise under any written or oral agreement between the manufacturer or distributor with a motor vehicle dealer including, but not limited to, the franchise offering, the franchise agreement, sales of goods, services or advertising, leases or mortgages of real or personal property, promises to pay, security interests, pledges, insurance contracts, advertising contracts, construction or installation contracts, servicing contracts, and all other such agreements in which said manufacturer or distributor has any direct or indirect interest.

??????????? Section 12. If a manufacturer or distributor renews its franchise agreements periodically, it shall do so as their contractual periods expire on terms equally available to all of its motor vehicle dealers in the commonwealth unless there is good cause to do otherwise.? Any notification provided by a manufacturer or distributor to the effect that the market being served by a motor vehicle dealer is not considered viable in the future shall be void and unenforceable.

??????????? Section 13. Every manufacturer, distributor, and motor vehicle dealer shall have the right of free association with other manufacturers, distributors, or motor vehicle dealers for any lawful purpose.

??????????? Section 14. Upon the written request of a motor vehicle dealer, manufacturer or distributor, the attorney general may enforce compliance with this chapter in accordance with sections 4 to 8, inclusive, of chapter 93A.

??????????? Section 15. (a) Any manufacturer, distributor or motor vehicle dealer who suffers any loss of money or property, real or personal, as a result of the use or employment by a manufacturer, distributor or motor vehicle dealer of an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice as defined by this chapter, any act prohibited or declared unlawful by this chapter, or any rule or regulation adopted under this chapter, may bring an action in the superior court, or if applicable in the federal district court for the district of Massachusetts, for damages and equitable relief, including injunctive relief, as described in the following sentence: The party filing suit may obtain equitable relief if it can be demonstrated: (1) that the unfair method of competition, deceptive act or practice, or violation if not enjoined would have a substantial likelihood of causing? loss of money or property or of causing damage to the public, and (2) that all other customary standards governing the issuance of injunctive relief in accordance with Massachusetts or Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as applicable, are met.

??????????? (b) Before filing suit under any section of this chapter except section 8, all parties to the dispute shall meet and confer for purposes of discussing settlement.? Failure to do so may be deemed evidence during any court proceeding of bad faith on the part of the party making no reasonable effort, or ignoring others' efforts, to confer.? If the party prevailing in the suit made no reasonable effort, or ignored others' efforts, to so confer, the party shall be prohibited from collecting an award of attorneys' fees as described in subsection (c).

??????????? (c) If the prevailing party in any action or protest brought under this chapter successfully demonstrates to the court that the actions, claims or defenses of the other party were asserted in bad faith, then the court shall, in addition to other relief provided for by this chapter and notwithstanding the amount in controversy and whether the prevailing party has sustained any actual damage, award to the prevailing party its reasonable costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

??????????? (d) Any person against whom any claim is asserted under this section may tender within 30 days after service of the complaint in the action a written offer of settlement containing specific settlement terms.? If the offer of settlement is not accepted within 15 days by the other person, and the court finds that the relief offered was reasonable in relation to the injury actually suffered, not including attorneys' fees and costs, the court award shall not exceed the offer.? This subsection shall limit any award of attorneys' fees or costs awarded pursuant to subsection (c).

??????????? (e) The rights and remedies provided for in this chapter shall be the exclusive rights and remedies available under state law arising out of a violation of this chapter.? Notwithstanding any term or provision of a franchise agreement to the contrary: (1) the laws of the commonwealth shall govern the interpretation of the franchise agreement of a motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth and the performance of the parties thereunder, and (2) the courts of the commonwealth and the federal courts with jurisdiction over cases filed in the district of Massachusetts shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any action brought under this chapter or any action brought by a manufacturer, distributor or motor vehicle dealer concerning the franchise of a motor vehicle dealer located in the commonwealth.

??????????? Section 16. (a) Any provision of a franchise agreement or practice thereunder in violation of this chapter shall be against public policy and shall be void and unenforceable.

??????????? (b) A clause or provision in a franchise agreement requiring the parties to submit to arbitration, mediation or any other alternative dispute resolution mechanism before filing suit shall be enforceable only if the parties have voluntarily entered into an agreement to submit to arbitration, mediation or any other alternative dispute resolution mechanism, and the matter is conducted at a reasonable location within the commonwealth; provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit the enforceability of a clause or provision in a franchise agreement which requires the parties to submit to non-binding mediation; and provided, further, that said non-binding mediation is conducted at a reasonable location within the commonwealth.

??????????? Section 17. Except as provided in subsection (f) of section 5 and subsection (e) of section 6, actions arising out of this chapter shall be commenced within 4 years next after the cause of action accrues; but if a person liable hereunder fraudulently conceals the cause of action from the knowledge of the person entitled to bring it, the period prior to the discovery of its cause of action by the person so entitled shall be excluded in determining the time limit for the commencement of the action.? If a cause of action accrues during the pendency of any civil, criminal or administrative proceeding against a person brought by the United States or any of its agencies under the anti-trust laws, the Federal Trade Commission Act, or any other federal act, or brought by the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions under the laws of the commonwealth related to anti-trust laws or to franchising, the actions may be commenced within 1 year after the final disposition of the civil, criminal or administrative proceeding.

??????????? Section 18. All rights and remedies accorded motor vehicle dealers under this chapter shall apply with equal force and effect to a distributor in its dealings with the manufacturer from which it purchases new motor vehicles.

??????????? SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the joint committee on commerce and labor shall conduct an investigation and study of the implementation of the commonwealth's franchise statutes and their effects upon the commonwealth's economy, franchisor-franchisee relationships, and consumers in the marketplace.? The investigation and study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of how the commonwealth's franchise statutes may impact price, choice, and convenience in the marketplace for consumers.? The joint committee shall hold hearings and receive testimony from members of the general public and public and private officials, including, but not limited to, the attorney general, the director of the office of consumer affairs and business regulation, and organizations representing the interests of consumers, franchisors, and franchisees in the commonwealth.? The joint committee shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives on or before December 31, 2002.

??????????? SECTION 5. This act shall apply to all franchise agreements existing on or after the effective date of this chapter; provided, however, that clause (10) of subsection (c) of section 4 of chapter 93B of the General Laws, inserted by section 3 of this act, shall not apply to bona fide written agreements for the ownership of a dealership which were executed before the effective date of this chapter; provided, further, that section 10 of said chapter 93B shall not apply to agreements relative to site control and the right of first refusal which were executed before the effective date of this act; and provided, further, that this act shall not apply to any dispute between a motor vehicle dealer and a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesale branch or division that has arisen pursuant to and is governed by paragraph (l) of subsection (3) of section 4? of said chapter 93B as constituted before the effective date of this act for which notice by the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesale branch or division to enter into an additional franchise or selling agreement has or should have been delivered, as required by said paragraph (l), before the effective date of this act to the motor vehicle dealer to whom the notice was required to be given.

??????????? SECTION 6. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on September 1, 2003.

??????????? SECTION 7. Sections 3, 4 and 5 shall take effect on September 1, 2002.

Approved August 7, 2002.