TALLAHASSEE - State legislation that critics say would give a free ride to crooked car dealers stalled in a Senate committee Tuesday.

State Sen. Michael Bennett, R- Bradenton, who is sponsoring the bill, told the Senate Judiciary Committee his proposal ``is truly a litigation management tool which helps consumers resolve disputes without the need for protracted, complicated, and expensive litigation.''

But critics say the legislation requiring 30-day written notices before disgruntled car buyers can sue car dealers, and limiting lawyers fees paid by dealers, only serves to perpetuate unfair and deceptive trade practices now prohibited under Florida Law.

At Tuesday's Senate committee hearing those critics received support from an unlikely source - one of the car dealers the bill is supposed to protect from predatory lawyers.

Jack Fitzgerald testified that he sold 20,000 cars last year alone and can't remember the last time he was sued for cheating a customer.

``Honest dealers don't need this bill,'' Fitzgerald said. ``There isn't an honest dealer in this state that's getting sued that I'm aware of. The people getting sued are getting sued because they're breaking the law.''

After huddling with some of the lawyers lobbying against the bill, Bennett announced ``we've had some interesting breakthroughs this morning. We now have some people who want to sit down and negotiate this bill.''

The committee temporarily passed the measure, effectively putting it in limbo so Bennett and his critics can try to settle their differences in private.