HEA 1488 Summary

• Expands definitions and licensing requirements for motor vehicle dealers, including automotive mobility dealers, converter manufacturers, and dealer managers/owners with specific background check and qualification requirements.

• Establishes new recordkeeping and compliance standards for automotive salvage recyclers, including detailed documentation of vehicle purchases, flood damage affidavits, and inspection authority for law enforcement and the secretary of state.

• Creates a Consumer Restitution Fund to compensate consumers who receive court judgments or administrative orders against dealers but fail to receive full restitution payments, with maximum payouts of $3,000 per individual.

• Modifies temporary license plate and dealer plate regulations for watercraft and motor vehicles, including requirements for reporting assignments and preventing unauthorized reproduction or alteration of plates.

• Consolidates and reorganizes motor vehicle dealer laws from IC 9-22 to IC 9-32, moving provisions regarding salvage vehicles, title delivery deadlines, and dealer penalties into the updated dealer licensing framework effective July 1, 2017.