Bill > S1562

This bill modifies existing Florida law concerning motor vehicle manufacturers, importers, distributors, and franchised dealers by allowing manufacturers or distributors (referred to as "licensees") to reject the succession of a franchise agreement to a legal heir or devisee under specific circumstances, such as if the heir doesn't meet reasonable qualifications, the succession would harm public interest, or if it would cause the licensee to violate a new provision limiting the percentage of vehicles of a certain make distributed to a single dealer or group of commonly owned dealers. This new limitation, found in section 320.64(44), prohibits licensees from distributing more than 33.33% of a specific line-make of motor vehicles to one dealer or commonly owned dealers if 1,000 or more vehicles of that line-make were distributed in the state within a 12-month period, with exceptions for certain existing dealerships and licensees not prohibited from owning dealerships. Additionally, the bill clarifies the costs licensees must pay dealers upon termination of a franchise agreement, expands the types of vehicles covered, and allows licensees to reject the sale or transfer of a franchise agreement or an equity interest in a dealership if the proposed transferee is not of good moral character or if the transfer would violate the new distribution percentage rule. The bill also sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Business and Industry

Commerce and Tourism (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1562