Resolve, Regarding the Retention of Dealer Plates in Light of Recent Economic Conditions

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  it is important to provide immediate relief to small business owners and automobile dealers in light of recent economic conditions through a moratorium on dealer plate reductions and dealer license denials for failure to sell the required number of motor vehicles as provided in statute; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Moratorium on dealer plate reduction and dealer license denial. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 903, the number of dealer plates lawfully possessed by a motor vehicle dealer may not be reduced and a motor vehicle dealer may not be denied renewal of that dealer's license from February 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010 solely because of a failure to meet minimum sales requirements under section 903, subsection 3; and be it further

Sec. 2. Retroactivity. Resolved: That this resolve applies retroactively to February 1, 2009.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.