Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 10
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187 (2026)

Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board; established

✓ current as of May 2026
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The Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board, as established in Title 5, section 12004‑G, subsection 6‑B and referred to in this chapter as "the board," is established for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.   [PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
1.  Membership.  The board consists of 7 regular members and 4 alternate members:  
A. Ten members appointed by the Governor:  
(1) Three regular members and 2 alternate members who are or have been franchised new motor vehicle dealers in the State of Maine;  
(2) A regular member and an alternate member who are or have been employees or representatives of franchisors; and  
(3) Two regular members and one alternate member who are members of the public; and   [PL 2005, c. 61, §2 (AMD).]
B. One regular member appointed by the Secretary of State who is not and has not been either a motor vehicle dealer or manufacturer representative and who is an attorney employed by the Secretary of State and assigned to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.   [PL 2005, c. 61, §2 (AMD).]
[PL 2005, c. 61, §2 (AMD).]
2.  Chair.  The member appointed by the Secretary of State is the chair of the board. The chair shall:  
A. Act as the presiding officer in all matters that come before the board;   [PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
B. Make preliminary rulings on discovery and other questions;   [PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
C. Participate fully in board deliberations; and   [PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
D. Vote on the merits of complaints that come before the board only when necessary to break a tie.   [PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
[PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
3.  Terms.  Regular appointments to the board are for 5-year terms. A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive 5-year terms. The terms of the initial board members must be staggered, with 2 members serving a term of 3 years, 2 members serving a term of 4 years and 2 members serving a term of 5 years. Alternate members are appointed for 5-year terms. The term of the member who serves as chair is without limit.  
[PL 2005, c. 61, §3 (AMD).]
4.  Vacancy.  Any vacancy on the board must be filled by the Governor or the Secretary of State by appointment of a person of the same category as the board member being replaced to hold office for the unexpired term.  
[PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
5.  Compensation.  With the exception of the chair, whose position is funded pursuant to section 1187‑A, members of the board are entitled to a per diem of $100 for each day actually engaged in the performance of their duties and may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.  
[PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
6.  Rulemaking.  The board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.  
[PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
7.  Affiliation.  The board is affiliated with the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  
[PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 356, §12 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 61, §§2,3 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2005–2022 · leading case: Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2016 ME 171 (Me. 2016).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2016 ME 171 (Me. 2016). · cites it 2× “[¶ 35] Second, section 1174(3)(B) vests authority in the Board—and not the courts—to make the good cause determination, The Board’s members are appointed by the Governor and the Secretary of State, 10 M.”
Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2014 ME 7 (Me. 2014). · cites it 2× “See 10 M.R.S. § 1187(1) (establishing the membership of the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board to include individuals with experience as franchisees and franchisors); L.”
Darling's v. Chrysler Grp., LLC, 57 F. Supp. 3d 68 (D. Me. 2014). · cites it 4× “” Second, 10 M.R.S. § 1187 establishes the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board (the “Maine Franchise Board” or the “Board”), a body made up of seven voting members appointed by Maine’s governor and Secretary of State and empowered to hear complaints regarding conduct governed by…”
All. of Auto. Mfrs. v. Gwadosky, 353 F. Supp. 2d 97 (D. Me. 2005). · cites it 3× “The Composition of the Board Section 12, codified at 10 M.R.S.A. § 1187, provides: The [Board] .”
Vacationland Distributors, LLC v. Fore River Brewing Co., LLC (Me. Super. Ct 2022). “The statute then allows a motor vehicle dealer to protest the modification, forcing a manufacturer, like Ford, to make a showing of good cause before an independent adjudicative body known as the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187(1) — 2 cases
Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2016 ME 171 (Me. 2016). “[¶ 35] Second, section 1174(3)(B) vests authority in the Board—and not the courts—to make the good cause determination, The Board’s members are appointed by the Governor and the Secretary of State, 10 M.”
Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2014 ME 7 (Me. 2014). “See 10 M.R.S. § 1187(1) (establishing the membership of the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board to include individuals with experience as franchisees and franchisors); L.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187(2) — 1 case
All. of Auto. Mfrs. v. Gwadosky, 353 F. Supp. 2d 97 (D. Me. 2005). “The Composition of the Board Section 12, codified at 10 M.R.S.A. § 1187, provides: The [Board] .”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187(2)(A) — 1 case
All. of Auto. Mfrs. v. Gwadosky, 353 F. Supp. 2d 97 (D. Me. 2005). “The Composition of the Board Section 12, codified at 10 M.R.S.A. § 1187, provides: The [Board] .”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187(6) — 1 case
Darling's v. Chrysler Grp., LLC, 57 F. Supp. 3d 68 (D. Me. 2014). “” Second, 10 M.R.S. § 1187 establishes the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board (the “Maine Franchise Board” or the “Board”), a body made up of seven voting members appointed by Maine’s governor and Secretary of State and empowered to hear complaints regarding conduct governed by…”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187(7) — 2 cases
Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2016 ME 171 (Me. 2016). “[¶ 35] Second, section 1174(3)(B) vests authority in the Board—and not the courts—to make the good cause determination, The Board’s members are appointed by the Governor and the Secretary of State, 10 M.”
Ford Motor Co. v. Darling's, 2014 ME 7 (Me. 2014). “See 10 M.R.S. § 1187(1) (establishing the membership of the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board to include individuals with experience as franchisees and franchisors); L.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 1187(l) — 1 case
Darling's v. Chrysler Grp., LLC, 57 F. Supp. 3d 68 (D. Me. 2014). “” Second, 10 M.R.S. § 1187 establishes the Maine Motor Vehicle Franchise Board (the “Maine Franchise Board” or the “Board”), a body made up of seven voting members appointed by Maine’s governor and Secretary of State and empowered to hear complaints regarding conduct governed by…”
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