The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland prohibits vehicle manufacturers from penalizing dealers for advertising minimum prices and offering lower rates online
Last action · April 8, 2026: Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedSponsor: Jeff Waldstreicher
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and es are prohibited from taking adverse action against a dealer for disclosing on its website that an advertised price is the manufacturer's and that lower prices are available. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Vehicle dealerships gain legal protection to advertise minimum allowable prices online alongside notices that lower prices can be offered, preventing manufacturers from cutting benefits or penalizing them for price transparency.
- Senate Bill 297 is cross-filed with House Bill 306 in the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session. context
- Vehicle franchise laws govern the commercial relationships and contract terms between auto manufacturers and franchised local dealerships. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
vehicle dealers
Vehicle dealers are protected from adverse manufacturer actions when disclosing minimum allowable prices and potential discounts on their websites.
manufacturers, distributors, and factory branches
Manufacturers, distributors, and factory branches are restricted from taking adverse action against dealers who post minimum advertised prices and lower-price availability online.
Key Facts
- Manufacturers, distributors, and factory branches are prohibited from taking adverse action against a dealer for disclosing on its website that a vehicle's advertised price is the manufacturer's minimum allowable advertised price.
- Dealers are protected when disclosing on their websites that they may offer a lower price for the vehicle.
- The protection does not apply if a dealer violates § 15–313(a) or (b) of the Transportation Article regarding false, deceptive, or misleading advertising or advertising a vehicle without intent to sell it as offered.
- The protection does not apply if a dealer violates a State or local law intended to protect the public.
Show all 5 facts
- This Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Senate Bill 297 allow vehicle dealers to do?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
11 actions- Apr 8, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 8, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Economic Matters
- Mar 6, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Economic Matters
- Mar 5, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (42-1)
- Mar 3, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed
- Mar 3, 2026SenateFloorFavorable Adopted
Show 5 earlier actions
- Mar 2, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
- Jan 28, 2026SenateHearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 23, 2026SenateHearing canceled
- Jan 22, 2026SenateHearing 2/04 at 11:00 a.m.
- Jan 21, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools