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SB 834

SS/SB 834 - This act creates new provisions relating to mortgage modifications. MISSOURI RESIDENTIAL SALE LEASEBACK PROTECTION ACT (Section 442.920) The act creates the "Missouri Residential Sale Leaseback Protection" act, which regulates sale leasebacks. A sale leaseback is defined as a transaction or series of transactions in which a seller sells residential real estate that is or was the seller's residence to another party and, as a condition of the sale, or as part of the same or a related transaction, enters into a lease or rental agreement to remain in or re-occupy the property. In any sale leaseback transaction, a buyer is required to provide the seller with certain disclosures, described in detail in the act, alerting the seller of the nature of the transaction and advising them of certain actions they may wish to take. The disclosure must be provided to the seller not more than 10 days and not less than 3 business days before the execution of any sale leaseback agreement, and the disclosure shall be signed by both the seller and the buyer concurrently with the execution of the sale leaseback agreement. Violation of this act is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 per violation. The Attorney General is permitted to enforce this act by bringing a cause of action seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and restitution. A seller is also permitted to bring a civil action if harmed by a violation of this act. A seller may recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $10,000, attorneys' fees and costs, and any equitable or injunctive relief. This act may not be waived or modified by agreement of any party. These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to SS/HB 2636 (2026), the truly agreed to CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 973 (2026), and the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001 (2026), and substantially similar to SB 1684 (2026). UNIFORM MORTGAGE MODIFICATION ACT (Sections 443.920 to 443.925) The act creates the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, establishing new procedures with respect to modifications of mortgages. The act provides that, for any mortgage modification, as that term is defined in the act, all of the following apply: • The mortgage continues to secure the obligation as modified; • The priority of the mortgage is not affected by the modification; • The mortgage retains its priority regardless of whether a record of the mortgage modification is recorded in the public land records; and • The modification is not considered a novation. This act supercedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, as permitted by that Act, except as otherwise provided in this act. This provision contains various exceptions. These provisions are identical to provisions in the SS/HB 2636 (2026). This act contains a severability clause. SCOTT SVAGERA

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sandy Crawford

SB 834 protects dealers from retaliation when they disclose that a listed price is the manufacturer’s MAP and that they may offer lower prices, while allowing charges to be include

Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 834

SB 834 — Vehicle Laws: Manufacturers, Dealers, and Prices Listed on Dealer Websites

Status: Second Reading Passed (Senate)
Introduced: January 28, 2025 (read first time) — Sponsor: Sen. Waldstreicher
Primary subject: Transportation — dealer website pricing and manufacturer-dealer relations
Affected code: Md. Transportation Art., §15‑207(h) (amended) and §15‑313(a),(b) (re‑stated)
Planned effective date in text: October 1, 2025

Main purpose

To protect dealers that disclose certain pricing information on their public websites and to clarify what manufacturers may require about how prices are displayed. The bill aims to increase transparency for consumers while limiting manufacturers’ ability to retaliate against dealers for specific disclosures.

Key provisions

  • Prohibition on adverse actions for specific disclosures:

    • A manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch may not take an adverse action against a dealer for posting on the dealer’s website that:
    • the advertised price is the manufacturer’s minimum allowable advertised price (MAP); and
    • the dealer may offer a lower price than that advertised price.
    • This protection does not apply if the dealer violates §15‑313(a) or (b) (prohibitions on false/deceptive advertising or advertising without intent to sell) or any State/local law intended to protect the public.

  • Manufacturer ability to require inclusion of certain charges:

    • A manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch may require all of its dealers to include freight or dealer processing charges in the prices listed on the dealer’s website.

  • Existing advertising prohibitions retained:

    • The bill preserves prohibitions that a dealer may not use false, deceptive, or misleading advertisements or advertise a vehicle without intent to sell it (see §15‑313(a),(b)).

Who is affected

  • Dealers: Gain explicit protection from adverse manufacturer action for disclosing that an advertised price is the manufacturer’s minimum advertised price and for stating they may offer lower prices, subject to existing advertising laws.
  • Manufacturers/distributors/factory branches: Retain authority to require freight/processing charges be included in website prices but are generally barred from retaliatory actions based on the specified disclosures.
  • Consumers: Likely to see increased transparency about pricing and an explicit notice that posted prices may reflect manufacturer MAP rather than the final sale price.
  • State/local government: No material fiscal effect is anticipated.

Fiscal and enforcement notes

  • Maryland Department of Legislative Services: bill does not materially affect State or local finances; minimal small-business effect.
  • Dealers remain subject to existing prohibitions against deceptive advertising; violations of advertising provisions may carry criminal/penal consequences under current law.

Implementation / timeline

  • Introduced Jan 28, 2025; reported favorably and read second time in the Senate Feb 24, 2025 (per legislative records).
  • Text provides an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Bottom line

SB 834 balances dealer transparency and consumer information against manufacturers’ ability to enforce uniform advertising practices. It prevents manufacturers from taking adverse actions when dealers disclose that a posted price is the manufacturer’s MAP and that lower prices may be offered, while still allowing manufacturers to require inclusion of freight/processing charges and preserving anti‑fraud advertising safeguards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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