"An Act relating to a motor vehicle dealer's selling certain motor vehicles as new model motor vehicles or as new model motor vehicles having a manufacturer's warranty. "

In 2004, the Alaska Legislature passed HB 272, an Act relating to certain amendments to Alaska's Auto Dealer Act. Section 10 of the bill required the Department of Law to:

1. monitor and investigate consumer and enforcement problems associated with AS 08.66.015 that relate to the sale of new or current model motor vehicles; and
2. report to the legislature on the consumer and enforcement problems identified under (1) and include recommendations for resolving the problems.

The Department of Law submitted the report to the Legislature in January of 2005. The report indicated that there were consumer protection problems relating to warranty and odometer issues, and that enforcement of 08.66.015 would be more effective if the current law were amended.

This bill would amend AS 08.66.015 (a) by deleting the phrase "current model" and add a definition of a "new vehicle" generally consistent with the Department's recommendation. It would also clarify the rights of a bona fide purchaser/lessee to sell a new vehicle, also in accord with the Department's recommendation.

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