There shall be no filing fee or costs assessed against the consumer for using the Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board or the manufacturer's dispute settlement mechanism. In the event an authorized franchise dealer or any of its employees including technicians or service personnel are called upon to testify or produce documents, repair orders, or other materials in any arbitration held before the Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board or the manufacturer's dispute settlement mechanism, the person who requests the participation of the authorized franchise dealer or requests the production of documents must make arrangements in advance to reasonably compensate the dealer for the actual expense involved. Where a conflict arises as to actual expenses, the Board shall make that determination. In the event the consumer prevails, these costs shall be reimbursed to the consumer by the manufacturer. (Added 1983, No. 211 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1999, No. 18, § 31, eff. May 13, 1999.)