(A) Before a license as a recreational vehicle dealer is issued, an applicant shall file an application with the department and provide information the department may require including, but not limited to, the name and addresses of individuals who own or control ten percent or more of the interest in the business.

(B) Each applicant shall furnish a surety bond in the penal amount of thirty thousand dollars on a form prescribed by the department. A new bond or a proper continuation certificate must be delivered to the department annually before a dealer's license may be renewed. A dealer's license expires immediately upon expiration or termination of a dealer's bond. The bond must be given to the department and executed by the applicant, as principal, and by a corporate surety company authorized to do business in this State, as surety. The bond must be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee complying with the statutes applicable to the license and as indemnification for loss or damage suffered by an owner of a recreational vehicle, or his legal representative, by reason of fraud practiced or fraudulent representation made in connection with the sale or transfer of a recreational vehicle by a licensed recreational vehicle dealer or the dealer's agent acting for the dealer, or within the scope of employment of the agent or loss or damage suffered by reason of the violation by the dealer or his agent of any provisions of this chapter. An owner or his legal representative who suffers the loss or damage has a right of action against the dealer and against the dealer's surety upon the bond and may recover damages as provided in this chapter. However, regardless of the number of years a bond remains in effect, the aggregate liability of the surety for claims is limited to thirty thousand dollars on each bond and to the amount of the actual loss incurred. The surety may terminate its liability under the bond by giving the department thirty days' written notice of its intent to cancel the bond. The cancellation does not affect liability incurred or accrued before the cancellation.

(C) If, during a license year, there is a change in the information a dealer gave the department in obtaining or retaining a license, the licensee must report the change to the department within thirty days on a form prescribed by the department.

(D) If a licensee ceases to be a recreational vehicle dealer, he shall notify the department within ten days and return any license and all dealer license plates.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 51 (S.321), Section 1, eff November 19, 2017.

Editor's Note

2017 Act No. 51,Sections 6, 7, provide:

"SECTION 6. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 14, Title 56.

"SECTION 7. This act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor and applies to manufacturer/dealer agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2018."