"An Act relating to a motor vehicle dealer's selling or offering to sell motor vehicles as new or current models or as new or current model motor vehicles having manufacturer's warranties. "

In 2004, HB 272, an Act relating to certain amendments to Alaska's Auto Dealer Act was enacted and became law. Part of this Act directed the Department of Law to submit a report to the Legislature in January 2005 outlining any consumer or enforcement problems associated with AS 08.66.015.

This bill adopts language that addresses the recognized consumer protection and enforcement problems and is consistent with the changes proposed by the Department of Law.

This bill amends current law by deleting the phrase "current model" from AS 08.66.015(a) and adds a section (b) which requires the auto dealers to have a current sales and service agreement with a manufacturer to sell or attempt to sell a car as new. The removal of "current model" is important because with the language left as is, legitimate dealers are unable to sell used vehicles that are still current year vehicles. For example, a 2006 Ford F-150 that is used cannot be sold by a used car dealer or manufacture's franchise until the new model vehicles are released later this year. This act also repeals AS 08.66.015(b), which created a situation in which a used, current model vehicle with a warranty, could only be sold by Manufacturer's franchise dealers, effectively barring used car dealers from selling used automobiles that are less than a year old.

24-LS1607\G

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