Delaware regulates manufacturer-dealer agreements for recreational vehicles and watercraft

Original title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMMERCE AND TRADE.

Last action · August 20, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Nicole Poore and 21 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

This Act establishes new regulatory requirements for s involving recreational vehicles, trailers, vessels, and off-highway vehicles in Delaware, mandating written service obligations, compensation schedules, and warranty reimbursement rates.

Why it matters

Licensed recreational vehicle dealers gain guaranteed compensation rates for warranty work and mandatory written service terms from manufacturers, while manufacturers must comply with specific rules governing contract terminations and parts reimbursement.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

New recreational vehicle dealers

Dealers receive mandatory written service obligations, guaranteed compensation rates for warranty work, and explicit reimbursement rules upon contract termination.

Directly affected

Recreational vehicle manufacturers

Manufacturers must provide written service agreements, adhere to statutory minimum reimbursement rates for warranty parts and labor, and face potential legal actions from trade associations.

Directly affected

Recreational vehicle dealer associations

Associations representing at least four dealer members gain statutory standing to file petitions or intervene in legal actions against manufacturers on behalf of members.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What new definitions are added under Delaware law by this Act?

The Act adds definitions for 'all-terrain vehicle,' 'off-highway vehicle,' 'side-by-side vehicle,' and 'vessel,' while clarifying definitions for 'new recreational trailer' and 'new recreational vehicle.'

How are recreational vehicle dealers compensated for warranty parts under the law?

Reasonable compensation cannot be less than the rate charged by the dealer to nonwarranty customers for like parts, plus a minimum 40% handling fee and the cost of return freight.

Can a dealer association file a lawsuit against a manufacturer under this statute?

Yes. An association with at least 4 recreational vehicle dealer members in the state has to file a petition, bring a civil action, or intervene in an existing action against a regulated manufacturer.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

10 actions

Aug 20, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Signed by Governor
Jun 24, 2026SenateFloor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
Jun 23, 2026HouseFloor
Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
Jun 23, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 1 to SB 286 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
Jun 23, 2026SenateCommittee
Amendment HA 1 to SB 286 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Jun 16, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 8 On Its Merits

Show 4 earlier actions

May 19, 2026HouseIntroduced
Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
May 14, 2026SenateFloor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
May 5, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits
Apr 21, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced and Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate

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 →