HB 182-MOTOR VEHICLE SALES AND DEALERS  CHAIRMAN STEVENS announced HB 192 to be up for consideration. MS. MAY ERICKSON, Staff to Representative Murkowski, explained that this bill began last session and has gone through a lot of work and is in a form that is supported by all parties. It is a comprehensive motor-vehicle act that addresses the relationship between motor-vehicle dealers and manufacturers and perspective auto buyers by providing guidelines to protect dealers and consumers from abuses within the automobile industry. The bill creates a platform for a dispute resolution between manufacturers and motor vehicle dealers with regard to franchise disagreements and brings agreements made between manufacturers and dealers under jurisdiction of Alaska courts. The bill sets forth uniform processes to transfer, terminate, or convey franchise agreements. Protections are also provided against replacement by manufacturers of new competing dealerships within too close a proximity to a current dealer's market area and provides uniform guidelines when designating successors in the case of death or incapacity of franchisees. The bill also provides meaningful protection for auto buyers by imposing safeguards regarding deceptive advertising, price comparisons and availability of advertised items. The bill also states that a dealer must, when obtaining a used motor vehicle from an individual consumer, make reasonable inquiry of the seller and the seller must provide in writing the condition of that vehicle including the vehicle's accident and repair history. The dealer then provides that statement to a prospective purchaser of the vehicle. Dealers must also disclose if the vehicle was purchased from an auction or wholesaler (Just inserted on the House floor and passed unanimously). MR. DON WHATTLEY, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, supported HB 182. MR. MARK MUELLER, General Motors, supported HB 182. MR. STAN HURST, Chrysler Corporation, supported HB 182. MS. KERRY HENNINGS, Division of Motor Vehicles, said they also support HB 182. MS. ERICKSON said that she forgot one thing, an amendment by Representative Dyson, that would allow a person to sell 10 used motor vehicles per year and still not have to register as a dealer. After doing research, she found that five is the correct amount and asked if they would consider amending the bill to reflect that. She explained that five vehicle is set out in federal law and is also recommended by DMV and the AG's office as well. CHAIRMAN STEVENS asked if Representative Dyson raised the number from 5 to 10 on the floor. MS. ERICKSON replied yes, but he was thinking that many people in the Valley buy used cars quite frequently for family members, fix them up and turn them over, but there is an exemption for that kind of transaction for family members. CHAIRMAN STEVENS asked if it was okay with Representative Murkowski. MS. ERICKSON replied that she was fine with it. 4:50 - 5:00 - fire drill SENATOR AUSTERMAN moved on page 4, line 19 to delete "new or 10 used". There were no objections and it was so ordered. SENATOR AUSTERMAN moved to pass SCS HB 182(L&C) from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered.