The bill seeks to improve consumer choice and fairness in the auto sales market in Washington State by amending RCW 46.96.185. It prohibits manufacturers, distributors, and related entities from engaging in discriminatory practices against new motor vehicle dealers, such as offering different prices for the same vehicle or parts and imposing unreasonable conditions on dealership operations. A significant change includes the insertion of provisions that allow final-stage manufacturers to own and operate dealerships, while deleting previous restrictions on manufacturers who held a vehicle dealer license in 2014 from owning dealerships that sell their own makes. The bill emphasizes equitable treatment among dealers and outlines manufacturers' responsibilities, including the disclosure of allocation methods and prohibiting coercive actions against dealers.

Furthermore, the bill specifies exemptions from certain regulations for sales to government agencies, vehicles for driver's education programs, and promotional sales offering incentives or rebates. It provides definitions for key terms to clarify the law's scope and establishes that violations are considered unlawful and unfair practices, allowing aggrieved individuals to petition for adjudication. A new section indicates that the act will take effect on January 1, 2026, reinforcing the commitment to a competitive and fair auto sales environment.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 46.96.185