(a) Prior to the death of a motor fuel retailer franchisee, the motor fuel retailer franchisee notifies the franchisor in writing of the designee, who shall be the surviving spouse, adult child, or adult stepchild of the motor fuel retailer franchisee or in the absence of a designation, the motor fuel retailer franchisee’s surviving spouse, if any;
(b) At the time of the motor fuel retailer franchisee’s death, the designee meets the qualifications then being required by the franchisor for its motor fuel retailer franchisees; and
(c) Within 10 days following the motor fuel retailer franchisee’s death, the designee enters into a new franchise with the franchisor on the terms and conditions then generally being extended by the franchisor to similarly situated motor fuel retailer franchisees, except that for the part of the term of the new lease equal to the unexpired portion of decedent franchisee’s prior lease, the rent shall be the same as under the prior lease.
(2) Until the designee enters into a new franchise as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the franchisor shall be entitled to possess and to operate the marketing premises for the franchisor’s own account. [1987 c.917 §3]