SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 291

Common Entities of Motor Vehicle Distributors and Manufacturers
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SPONSOR
McFarland
FILED BY
Fiona McFarland — District 73, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Common Entities of Motor Vehicle Distributors and Manufacturers; Revises definition of "common entity."

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Excludes manufacturers with no franchised Florida dealers from common-entity status.

An existing exception in the 'common entity' definition, previously limited to entities related to a distributor, now also covers entities related to a manufacturer, if the same licensing and ownership conditions are met.

A new, separate path lets a U.S.-incorporated manufacturer avoid common-entity status if it only builds or assembles vehicles for a line-make with no franchised dealers anywhere in Florida.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New exclusion for manufacturers with no Florida franchise network majors. 320.60(2)(b)

AIAn entity incorporated in the United States that solely manufactures or assembles vehicles for a line-make with no franchised dealers in Florida is not considered a common entity of a manufacturer, regardless of any distributor relationship.

“manufactures or assembles vehicles that are part of a motor vehicle line-make that has no franchised motor vehicle dealers in this state” bill text, line 41 →
§ 2 Existing distributor exception extended to manufacturers moderates. 320.60(2)(b)

AIThe exception that already let a qualifying entity avoid being treated as a common entity of a distributor now also applies so a qualifying entity is not considered a common entity of a manufacturer.

“is not considered a common entity of that distributor or manufacturer if” bill text, line 31 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/12/2025
Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
11/12/2025
Referred to Commerce Committee
11/12/2025
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
11/12/2025
Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
10/31/2025
Filed
1 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 320.60
+45 / −0