Sec. 57.102. APPROVAL OF SALE OR TRANSFER OF BUSINESS AT DEALER'S REQUEST. (a) This section applies only to a dealer agreement that is not a single-line dealer agreement.

(b) If a supplier has contractual authority to approve or deny a request for the sale or transfer of a dealer's business or an equity ownership interest in the dealer's business, a dealer may request that the supplier approve or deny a request for the sale or transfer of a dealer's business or an equity ownership interest in the dealer's business to a proposed buyer or transferee. The dealer's request must be in writing and must include character references and reasonable financial, personal background, and work history information with respect to the proposed buyer or transferee.

(c) Not later than the 60th day after receipt of a request under Subsection (b), the supplier shall either approve the sale or transfer or send a written response to the dealer stating the supplier's denial of the request and the specific reasons for the denial. The request is considered approved if the supplier does not approve or deny the request by the deadline.

(d) A supplier may deny a request made under this section only if the proposed buyer or transferee fails to meet the reasonable requirements consistently imposed by the supplier for purposes of determining whether to approve a new dealer or a request for approval of a sale or transfer of a dealer's business or equity ownership in the dealer's business.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1039 (H.B. 3079), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.