§1181. Discounts and other inducements

In connection with a sale of a motor vehicle or vehicles to the State or to any political subdivision thereof of the State, no a manufacturer, distributor or, wholesaler shall or corporate affiliate may not offer any discounts, refunds or any other similar type of inducement to any dealer without making the same offer or offers to all other of its dealers within the relevant market area, and if such inducements are made, the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall give simultaneous notice thereof of the inducements to all of its dealers within the relevant market area.

Sec. 7. 10 MRSA §1183, as amended by PL 1997, c. 521, §29, is further amended to read:

§1183. Statute of limitation

Actions arising out of any provision of this chapter shall must be commenced within 4 years next after the cause of action accrues; provided, however, except that if a person liable hereunder under this section conceals the cause of action from the knowledge of the person entitled to bring it, the period prior to the discovery of his the cause of action by the person so entitled shall must be excluded in determining the time limited for commencement of the action. If a cause of action accrues during the pendency of any civil, criminal or administrative proceeding against a person brought by the United States, or any of its agencies under the antitrust laws, the Federal Trade Commission Act, or any other Federal Act, or the laws of the State related to antitrust laws or to franchising, such actions may be commenced within one year after the final disposition of such civil, criminal or administrative proceeding.

Notwithstanding any provision in a franchise agreement, if a dispute covered by this chapter or any other law is submitted to mediation or arbitration, the time for the dealer to file a complaint, action, petition or protest is tolled until the mediation or arbitration proceeding is completed. The periods of limitation set forth in this section may not be shortened.

SUMMARY

This bill amends certain provisions of the law pertaining to manufacturers, franchisees and other dealers to ensure fair