Why the Georgia Motorcycle Dealers Association is so important.

No one else is looking out for you, your family or your investment.  Georgia has some of the worst franchise laws in the country; the last franchise law in Georgia was passed in 1974.  The only States that have worse franchise laws are the ones that do not have a Dealers Association.  The OEMs view states without Dealers Associations as the “Wild West” and they pretty much do what ever they want.  The OEMs are going to do what is best for themselves above all others.  As an example the right thing for the OEMs to have done after President Bush signed the CPSIA into law would have been to hold shipments of the effected youth products; instead the OEMs continued shipments.  Now the right thing would be for the OEMs to buy back the effected youth products; or at least pay the floor plan expenses while the products can not be sold.  But as you know the OEMs have not done anything to protect YOUR bottom line just their own.

How about the OEM that wants to open another store right down the street from you.  Current Georgia law only requires 8 miles between dealers for on road vehicles.  There are no restrictions for ATV or watercraft dealers, they can put one right across the street from you.  The Georgia Motorcycle Dealers Association is the only Dealers Association that went to Washington and teamed up with the MIC to lobby against the CPSIA.  And to this day we write letters and stay in contact with Washington “Insiders” to do what we can to help resolve this issue. 

The Georgia Motorcycle Dealers Association – GMDA has accomplished a great deal for Georgia dealers.  In 2007, we presented HB117, a Franchise Fairness Bill that would have given dealers some “Fair Policies” to work under.  Working in concert with the MIC, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha we drafted a bill that met everyone’s needs.  At the last minute, Arctic Cat came in and attempted to kill our bill.  We held our ground and sent the bill to the House floor without their requested changes.  It passed with no problems.  Once on the Senate side, we met very little resistance, and again it passed with no problems.  On the last day the Bill was vetoed by the Governor’s Office, we believe for political reasons and not for the intent of the bill.

In 2009, we suggested the reintroduction of a Bill that would repeal the Estimated Prepaid Sales Tax.  Originally it was HB25, by Representative Scott.  The Bill was rolled into the “JOBS” Act of 2008.  The GMDA was at the Capital on several occasions to testify and support this Bill and HB482, elimination of end of year “Inventory Tax” Though the “JOBS” Act passed the House and Senate, once again, our Governor showed his lack of concern for small business and VETOED the bill.  He did, however, sign the “Inventory Tax” Bill.  This is a Constitutional Amendment, and will be on the Ballot in 2010. 

The dealers who already make up the Georgia Motorcycle Dealers Association feel strongly about the following issues. Join GMDA today to have YOUR concerns heard under the Gold Dome!

• Reintroduce the Franchise Fairness Bill
• Eliminate the Estimated Prepaid Sales Tax
• Introduce legislation to title off-highway vehicles, which when fully implemented, will decrease the interest rates, and monthly payments, of all ATV buyers without reducing your profits.

In short, we’re increasing the market for your products and saving you money. But to be truly effective, we need your help. With your membership in the GMDA you’ll receive:

• The legislative power of the only organization that monitors and lobbies for your interests in the Capitol.
• Valuable, timely alerts and updates about changes to Georgia law that affect you and your industry.
• The GMDA works to keep your state taxes low and public awareness about the benefits of your products high.
• Access to industry-tailored and discounted insurance plans.
• Discounts from our Industry Partners.

Please take advantage of this opportunity. We appreciate the chance to represent and serve your interests - but we simply can’t do it without your help.

Join today!