30-11-905. Refusal to honor succession to ownership -- notice required. (1) If a grantor believes that good cause exists for refusing to honor the succession to the ownership and operation of a dealership by a designated family member or by a designated successor under the existing franchise agreement, the grantor may, within 30 days of receipt of notice of the designated family member's or designated successor's intent to succeed the dealer in the ownership and operation of the dealership, serve upon the designated family member or designated successor and the department notice of the grantor's refusal to honor the succession and of the grantor's intent to discontinue the existing franchise agreement with the dealership no sooner than 60 days from the date the notice is served.

(2) The notice must state the specific grounds for the refusal to honor the succession and the intent to discontinue the existing franchise agreement with the dealership no sooner than 60 days from the date the notice is served.

(3) If notice of refusal and discontinuance is not timely served upon the designated family member or designated successor and the department or if the department rules in favor of the complainant in a hearing held pursuant to 30-11-906, the franchise agreement must continue in effect subject to termination only as otherwise permitted by law.