Pennsylvania’s RV law would receive needed upgrades and stronger consumer protections under a bill introduced Wednesday by state Rep. Scott Conklin, according to a release from the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus.
Conklin, who is chairman of the House Commerce Committee, said H.B 2410 would update and clarify parts of the law governing the RV industry to help ensure reliable, efficient and cost-effective warranty service for consumers.
“The RV industry is different enough from the automotive industry that Pennsylvania has separate laws governing RV manufacturers and dealers,” Conklin said. “But areas of the law — particularly as it relates to warranty services — need to be updated to better protect consumers and provide clearer guidance for dealers.
“My bill would accomplish that by adding provisions that ensure more efficient warranty repairs, more consistent rate-setting and prices for warranty service and stronger consumer protections from rogue dealers who host pop-up-style RV events.”
Conklin said his bill would:
- Help ensure warranty repairs are completed efficiently by clarifying that RV dealers may purchase available warranty parts from a supplier other than the manufacturer
- Clarify the language regarding labor rates for warranty service, which is currently based on “reasonable compensation,” to mirror the automotive dealers’ formula for establishing warranty service labor rates for dealer compensation by the manufacturer. The change would provide for more consistent rate-setting and prices
- Protect consumers from the risk of flawed warranty policies by rogue dealers who host pop-up-style RV events outside their territory, which can leave consumers struggling to get warranty service if the dealer is located out-of-state or far away from the event. The bill would clarify that a dealer is not permitted to operate outside its contractual area of sales responsibility if the dealer is the only one participating in the event
A companion bill — S.B. 1161 — has been introduced by Sen. Chris Gebhard, R-Berks/Lancaster/Lebanon.