ST. PAUL – Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, received “Legislator of the Year” recognition from the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association during the organization’s recent annual membership event.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Rep. Perryman successfully authored one of MADA’s priority bills, providing statutory clarification that dealers participating as exhibitors in auto shows are not violating their franchises to do so. Specifically, Perryman’s legislation (H.F. 320) allows auto dealers to participate in shows outside of the counties where they’re licensed.
“This is beneficial to local dealers because it clears up any confusion that could arise from dealers participating in shows out of their markets, drawing a line between participating in shows and selling at shows,” Perryman said. “I am grateful for this award and am happy deliver a good, bipartisan bill that passed the House with overwhelming support.”
“Rep. Perryman is a franchised business owner herself, so understands our industry well,” said Amanda Duerr, MADA Director of Government Affairs. “She is a hardworking, common-sense legislator who does good bipartisan work for the state.”
As vice-chair of the House Commerce Committee, Perryman was also instrumental in “fixing the key ban.” Had a legislative fix not been enacted during the 2025 Session, every key in Minnesota would have been illegal under an obscure law passed in 2023.
“On behalf of Minnesota’s franchised new motor vehicle dealers, we thank Rep. Perryman for her support,” said Scott Lambert, MADA President. “We are grateful to have such a strong and capable advocate.”
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