April 27, 2023

This year is off to a great start! WVADA had many successes on the legislative front. We passed six out of seven of our bills, and we defeated the Right to Repair bill. The one bill that we did not get across the finish line was our franchise bill, S.B. 462 — modifying certain guidelines for motor vehicle dealers, distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers. Our franchise bill passed out of the Senate unanimously and passed out of the House Judiciary Committee with only one “no” vote. The one “no” vote was from Delegate Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia. Delegate Hansen viewed the elimination of the right of first refusal (ROFR) language as discriminatory. Obviously, discrimination is not the intent of eliminating ROFR, and we are committed to working with several members of the House to make sure that we achieve a compromise that works in the best interest of all parties. However, the bill ultimately died on the House Calendar on the second reading.