§ 31-5.1-21. Promotional activities. (a) Upon filing of a claim, a manufacturer or distributor shall compensate a dealer for any incentive or reimbursement program sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor, under the terms of which the dealer is eligible for compensation.

(b)(1) A claim filed under this section shall be:

(i) In the manner and form prescribed by the manufacturer or distributor; and

(ii) Approved or disapproved within thirty (30) days of receipt.

(2) A claim not approved or disapproved within thirty (30) days of receipt shall be deemed approved.

(3) Payment of a claim filed under this section shall be made within thirty (30) days of approval.

(c)(1) If a claim filed under this section is shown by the manufacturer or distributor to be false or unsubstantiated, the manufacturer or distributor may charge back the claim within one year from the date the claim was paid or credit issued or one year from the end of a manufacturer program that does not exceed one year in length, whichever is later.

(i) A manufacturer or distributor shall not charge back a claim based solely on a motor vehicle dealer's incidental failure to comply with a specific claim processing requirement, such as a clerical error or other administrative technicality that does not put into question the legitimacy of the claim after the motor vehicle dealer properly resubmits the claim in accordance with the manufacturer's or distributor's submission guidelines.

(ii) A dealer shall have no less than sixty (60) days from the date of notification by a manufacturer or distributor of a charge back to the dealer to resubmit a claim for payment or compensation if the claim was denied for a dealer's incidental failure as set forth in subsection (c)(1)(ii) whether the chargeback was a direct or an indirect transaction.

(2) This paragraph does not limit the right of a manufacturer or distributor to charge back for any claim that is proven fraudulent.

History of Section. (P.L. 1995, ch. 339, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 227, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 228, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 2014, ch. 353, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 397, § 1.)