# RCW 46.96.010: RCW 46.96.010: Legislative findings > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S010 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 46.96.010 - **Heading:** RCW 46.96.010: Legislative findings - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 46 / Chapter 96 / Section 010 ## Text *** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6354-S.SL ) *** The legislature finds and declares that the distribution and sale of motor vehicles in this state vitally affect the general economy of the state and the public interest and public welfare, that provision for warranty service to motor vehicles is of substantial concern to the people of this state, that the maintenance of fair competition among dealers and others is in the public interest, and that the maintenance of strong and sound dealerships is essential to provide continuing and necessary reliable services to the consuming public in this state and to provide stable employment to the citizens of this state. The legislature further finds that there is a substantial disparity in bargaining power between automobile manufacturers and their dealers, and that in order to promote the public interest and the public welfare, and in the exercise of its police power, it is necessary to regulate the relationship between motor vehicle dealers and motor vehicle manufacturers, importers, distributors, and their representatives doing business in this state, not only for the protection of dealers but also for the benefit for the public in assuring the continued availability and servicing of automobiles sold to the public. The legislature recognizes it is in the best interest for manufacturers and dealers of motor vehicles to conduct business with each other in a fair, efficient, and competitive manner. The legislature declares the public interest is best served by dealers being assured of the ability to manage their business enterprises under a contractual obligation with manufacturers where dealers do not experience unreasonable interference and are assured of the ability to transfer ownership of their business without undue constraints. It is the intent of the legislature to impose a regulatory scheme and to regulate competition in the motor vehicle industry to the extent necessary to balance fairness and efficiency. These actions will permit motor vehicle dealers to better serve consumers and allow dealers to devote their best competitive efforts and resources to the sale and services of the manufacturer's products to consumers. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 46.96.010 RCW 46.96.010: Legislative findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S010.md) - [RCW 46.96.020 RCW 46.96.020: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S020.md) - [RCW 46.96.030 RCW 46.96.030: Termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise restricted.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S030.md) - [RCW 46.96.035 RCW 46.96.035: Payment of fair market value of dealer goodwill upon request and termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S035.md) - [RCW 46.96.040 RCW 46.96.040: Determination of good cause, good faith—Petition, notice, decision, appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S040.md) - [RCW 46.96.050 RCW 46.96.050: Determination of good cause, good faith—Hearing, decision, procedures—Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S050.md) - [RCW 46.96.060 RCW 46.96.060: Good cause, what constitutes—Burden of proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S060.md) - [RCW 46.96.070 RCW 46.96.070: Notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S070.md) - [RCW 46.96.080 RCW 46.96.080: Payments by manufacturer to dealer for inventory, equipment, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S080.md) - [RCW 46.96.090 RCW 46.96.090: Payments by manufacturer for dealership facilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S090.md) - [RCW 46.96.095 RCW 46.96.095: Compensation by manufacturer for labor and parts required to perform recall repairs—Applicability to certain used vehicles—Reimbursement claims—Recovery of costs—Remedy, exclusive.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S095.md) - [RCW 46.96.100 RCW 46.96.100: Mitigation of damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S100.md) - [RCW 46.96.105 RCW 46.96.105: Warranty work.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S105.md) - [RCW 46.96.110 RCW 46.96.110: Designated successor to franchise ownership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S110.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S010. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.