Rhode Island H8213: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES AMONG MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND DEALERS (Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as updates warranty reimbursement and recalls obligation policies.)

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:

2026 -- H 8213 ======== LC005026 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES AMONG MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND DEALERS Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Fellela, and Read Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Corporations It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Sections 31-5.1-4.1, 31-5.1-4.2, 31-5.1-5, 31-5.1-6, 31-5.1-6.1, 31-5.1-8, 315.1-11, 31-5.1-18, 31-5.1-19 and 31-5.1-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-5.1 entitled "Regulation of Business Practices Among Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Distributors, and Dealers" are hereby amended to read as follows: 31-5.1-4.1. Dealership -- Survivorship. (a)(1) Right of designated family member to succeed in dealership ownership. Any owner of a new motor vehicle dealership may appoint by will or any other written instrument a designated family member to succeed in the ownership interest of that owner in the new motor vehicle dealership. (2) Unless there exists good cause for refusal to honor that succession on the part of the manufacturer, or distributor, or factory branch, any designated family member of a deceased or incapacitated owner of a new motor vehicle dealer may succeed to the ownership of the new motor vehicle dealer under the existing franchise provided that: (i) The designated family member gives the manufacturer, or distributor, or factory branch …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Patricia Serpa (D, HD-027) · primary sponsor
• Deborah Fellela (D)
• Earl Read (D, HD-026)

Latest actions

1. June 22, 2026: Signed by Governor
2. June 18, 2026: Transmitted to Governor
3. June 11, 2026: House passed Sub A in concurrence
4. June 10, 2026: Placed on House Calendar
5. June 10, 2026: Senate passed Sub A
6. June 9, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar
7. June 9, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A
8. June 8, 2026: Proposed Substitute
9. June 7, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
10. May 22, 2026: Referred to Senate Commerce

Votes

• House Seq #565: PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE (June 11, 2026): 62 yea, 7 nay, passed
• Senate Seq #561: (June 10, 2026): 34 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Commerce: Passage of Sub A (June 9, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Commerce: Passage (June 9, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Seq #156: PASSAGE (May 5, 2026): 63 yea, 9 nay, passed
• House Committee on Corporations: Passage (April 28, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H8213?

H8213 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES AMONG MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND DEALERS (Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as updates warranty reimbursement and recalls obligation policies.).

What is the status of H8213?

Signed into law as of June 22, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 22, 2026).

Who sponsored H8213?

Patricia Serpa (D, HD-027), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H8213?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8213A.pdf