MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS: AUDIT OR CHARGEBACK.

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), after the first anniversary of the date a manufacturer or distributor pays a claim under Section 2301.4749, the manufacturer or distributor may not:

(1) charge back to a dealer money paid by the manufacturer or distributor as a result of the incentive program;

(2) charge back to a dealer the cash value of a prize or other thing of value awarded to the dealer as a result of the incentive program; or

(3) audit the records of a dealer to determine compliance with the terms of the incentive program, unless the manufacturer or distributor has reasonable grounds to believe the dealer committed fraud with respect to the incentive program.

(b) A manufacturer or distributor may make charge-backs to a dealer if, after an audit, the manufacturer or distributor has reasonable grounds to conclude that the dealer committed fraud with respect to the incentive program.

(c) Money paid by a manufacturer or distributor under an incentive program may only be paid to a dealer, unless the dealer agrees to the payment of the money to another person, including an employee of the dealer, before the payment is made.