106th Congress, 1st Session
(January 1 - December 31, 2000)

I. Monitor Legislation in the 106th Congress
A. The Washington office will lobby in support of or opposition to legislation to influence the Congress to fashion legislation that is most favorable to ASA members.
B. The Washington office will, at the direction of the ASA board, develop new legislation and seek sponsors and supporters for the legislation both inside and outside the Congress to benefit ASA members.
C. The Washington office will study, evaluate and report on all new legislation and its potential impact on ASA members.
D. The Washington office will garner grassroots support from ASA members and other interested parties on issues of principal concern.
E. The Washington office will use official publications, online monitoring technology and other available resources to further the legislative and regulatory goals of ASA.

II. Develop a Position and a Lobbying Strategy for all Important Legislation
The Washington office will recommend positions and lobbying strategies to the ASA's board of directors for legislation that has been introduced or for any new proposals to be supported or opposed by ASA.

Reform of the Insurance Industry

1. ASA supports legislation that prevents insurance companies from requiring the use of replacement crash parts unless the vehicle owner consents in writing.
2. ASA supports the repeal or modification of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which exempts the insurance industry from federal antitrust laws.
3. ASA supports legislation providing for the disclosure of certain insurance data to facilitate assessment of any relationship between liability insurance cost and the civil justice system.
4. ASA supports legislation to restore the authority of the Federal Trade Commission over the business of insurance.
5. ASA supports more stringent solvency regulations.

Vehicle Inspection Legislation and Regulations

1. ASA promotes and supports federal programs for assistance to the states in establishing motor vehicle inspections for safety and emissions. The federal programs should provide inspection criteria and give technical, limited administrative and financial start-up assistance to the states, so that each state may implement an inspection program tailored to meet its own unique requirements.
2. ASA supports legislation that encourages the states to adopt safety inspection programs, combined with vehicle emissions inspection programs (I&M) where feasible.
3. ASA supports technician training and certification initiatives that will generate qualified technicians to perform additional maintenance and repairs. ASA supports technician tracking programs to compile data on technician performance to assist management decisions to improve training, assist shop owners in selecting skilled technicians and provide an incentive for technicians to seek training.
4. ASA opposes accelerated vehicle scrappage programs in instances where older, high-emitting vehicles can be identified and adequately repaired. ASA supports programs that encourage private industry polluters to give subsidies to needy vehicle owners to assist in repairing older vehicles so they comply with safety and emission standards.
5. ASA supports a federal study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the effectiveness of state safety inspection and maintenance programs.

Labor Legislation

1. ASA supports a system of voluntary, non-discriminatory private sector health care benefits. ASA opposes legislation that would compel all employers to offer health care coverage to their employees.
2. ASA supports 100% deductibility of health costs in small business.
3. ASA supports employer compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) "worker right-to-know" regulations. ASA opposes further legislation that would duplicate or strengthen OSHA's extensive hazard notification requirements. ASA opposes new regulations that place the responsibility of safety in the hands of the employee and not the employer.
4. ASA supports tax incentives for employers to offer a wide array of employee benefits.
5. ASA opposes legislation that would bar employers from permanently replacing striking workers.
6. ASA supports OSHA's consultation program and encourages its members to participate in it.

Small Business Legislation

1. ASA supports the reform of product liability law through enactment of a uniform federal product liability law to replace the current system of differing state product liability laws. ASA supports federal and state tort reform.
2. ASA opposes granting vehicle manufacturers monopoly copyright or patent rights on sheet metal parts or design patents on the shapes of other OE parts.
3. ASA supports the Coalition for Fiscal Restraint (COFIRE) to oppose any new federal taxes and to urge Congress to implement major tax reform.
4. ASA supports a constitutional balanced budget.
5. ASA opposes new and added administrative responsibilities and costs for all automotive repair establishments through regulations under the Anti-Car Theft laws.
6. ASA supports vertical price-fixing prevention legislation that outlaws conspiracies between large retailers and manufacturers to make merchandise unavailable to independents through discounting the price of the product.
7. ASA supports regulatory flexibility legislation requiring analysis of the likely impact of federal legislation and regulations upon small businesses and to clarify procedures for judicial review of federal agency compliance with regulatory flexibility.
8. ASA supports legislation to reduce Federal paperwork and regulatory burdens.

Environmental Legislation

1. ASA supports legislation that limits the transfer of automotive paint products containing volatile organic compounds to those who are properly trained, equipped and certified to sell, apply and dispose of such products.
2. ASA supports attempts to reduce the amount of oil and antifreeze disposed of improperly each year through recycling legislation with business incentives.
3. ASA supports legislation that would provide incentives for the recycling of scrap tires and lead-acid batteries.
4. ASA supports independent repair and consumer education regarding repair and retrofit of a/c systems.

Motor Vehicle Titling Legislation

1. ASA supports national uniform motor vehicle titling legislation.
2. ASA supports post-repair vehicle inspection.
3. ASA opposes arbitrary limits on vehicles capable of being repaired.
4. ASA opposes a percentage definition for non-repairable vehicles.

Information Availability

1. ASA supports legislation and regulations that require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide all emissions and non-emissions information necessary to repair a vehicle.

Airbags

1. ASA opposes the use of all used and salvage airbags in automobiles.

III. Monitor Changes In Existing Governement Regulations
A. The Washington office monitors and reports to the ASA membership on proposals and changes in federal agency regulatory actions that may affect ASA members' businesses. ASA will pay particular attention to new regulations governing the Clean Air Act amendments, hazardous waste, community right-to-know, underground storage tanks and Superfund.
B. ASA supports and actively participates in the Washington Aftermarket Group, the Coalition for Competitive Repair Parts, the Antifreeze Coalition and the Small Business Legislative Council and a variety of government coalitions and working groups. The Washington Representative serves on advisory committees of the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Justice on issues regarding vehicle theft and titling and other issues, in addition to several advisory committees of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
C. ASA will continue to participate in and coordinate comments and responses to EPA, OSHA and other agency regulations.

IV. Monitor Federal and State Court Activity

V. Provide Ongoing Guidance to the States in Matters of Shop and Technician Licensing and Certification

VI. Respond to the Directives of the Board of Directors and Coordinate Actions According to the Dictates of the ASA Master Plan.

VII. Provide Public Relations and Public Information Services on Behalf of ASA
A. The Washington office will provide press releases, special reports and other public relations materials to complement and support ASA's legislative and regulatory activities and keep ASA members aware of what is happening in Washington that may affect their businesses.
B. The Washington office will continue working with the national news media and with other automotive trade publications.

VIII. Respond to Other Special Requests of the Board and Maintain Liaison with Other Automotive and Related Trade Associations on Legislation and Regulations.
A. The Washington office will participate in the following groups as well as others that will benefit ASA:

1. Washington Aftermarket Group
2. Federal Advisory Committees
3. Industry Coalitions
4. Small Business Legislative Council State Advisory Committees

Automotive Service Association
State Legislative Objectives

(January 1 - December 31, 2000)

I. Monitor State Legislation and Regulations
A. The Washington office will lobby in support of or opposition to legislation in state legislatures to fashion legislation that is most favorable to ASA members.
B. The Washington office will submit testimony, when appropriate, in favor of or opposition to proposed legislation and regulations.
C. The Washington office will develop favorable new legislation and seek sponsors and supporters both inside and outside the state legislature.
D. The Washington office will study, evaluate and report on all new legislation for its potential impact on ASA members.
E. The Washington office will garner grassroots support from ASA members and other interested parties on issues of principal concern.
F. The Washington office will develop industry coalitions to assist ASA members in state legislative and regulatory activity.

II. Develop a Position and a Lobbying Strategy for Important Legislation

The Washington office will recommend positions and lobbying strategies for legislation that has been introduced or for any new proposals to be supported or opposed by ASA.

Insurance Reform

1. ASA supports state legislation that provides that no motor vehicle insurance policy may require the insured to use a particular repair facility for repair services.
2. A supports state legislation that prevents insurance companies from requiring the use of aftermarket crash parts unless the vehicle owner consents in writing.
3. ASA opposes state legislation that allows insurance companies to offer policyholders the option of purchasing policies that provide that only certain repair facilities will be used in the event of a claim in return for reduced premium charges.

Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspections

1. ASA supports legislation that encourages states to adopt safety inspection programs, combined with vehicle emissions inspection programs where feasible.
2. ASA supports effective state vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance programs tailored to meet each state's own unique requirements.

Clean Air Issues

1. ASA supports state legislation that limits the sale and distribution of automotive refinish products.
2. ASA opposes state legislation promoting accelerated vehicle scrappage programs in instances where older, high-emitting vehicles can be identified and adequately repaired.

Miscellaneous Legislation

1. ASA opposes state legislation that attempts to limit the payment plans by which automotive technicians are compensated.
2. ASA opposes state legislation that requires automotive repair shops to provide long-term warranties on labor and parts.
3. ASA supports the majority consent of repair facilities statewide regarding repair shop licensing or registration.
4. ASA opposes state legislation that would require motor vehicle repair technicians to give all customers a firm estimate of the time and money required to complete repair jobs.
5. ASA supports legislation and regulation that require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide all emissions and non-emissions information necessary to repair a vehicle.

III. Develop Long-Term Grassroots Education Program
A. The Washington office will work with the national office to disseminate information to ASA members to enhance ASA's lobbying efforts.
B. The Washington office will use new technologies to reach members and inform them of opportunities for grassroots lobbying activities
C. The Washington office will conduct state education activities to enhance independent repair state positions.
D. The Washington office will develop targeted state initiatives to advance ASA national legislative policies.

Bob Redding is the Automotive Service Association's Washington, D.C., representative. He is a member of several federal and state advisory committees involved in the automotive industry. For more information about the legislative activities of ASA, visit www.TakingTheHill.com.

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