Taking The Hill
By Matthew T. Brown New air bag rule
A rule has been approved that will allow certain people to install air bag on/off switches on their vehicles. Those with certain medical conditions, small adults, and those who frequently transport children in the front seat may be approved. Those who wish to have on/off switches installed must first contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and apply for authorization. After approval, the vehicle owner may have the switch installed.ASA does not support air bag deactivation because it puts both passengers and drivers at risk and puts automobile repair facilities at the risk of criminal and civil litigation. Further, ASA does not believe that any written waiver could completely absolve its members from possible liability in cases of accidental injury or death.
ISTEA extension
Congress approved $8.1 billion in new transportation funding until a new six-year Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) can be passed next year. The current highway authorization expired Sept. 30, 1997, and the flow of federal highway and transit money to the states has stopped. This legislation is needed to restart the flow of funds to the states for important projects.Under the agreement, only about three months of ISTEA funds, some $8.1 billion, will go to the states and funding will be dispersed according to the fiscal 1997 funding formula, including $5.5 billion in highway funds. When a new formula is agreed to in the full six-year authorization bill, the short-term extension will be subtracted from a state's fiscal 1997 payment.
ASA hopes this measure can be debated again early next year and will include funds for vehicle safety and inspection programs. The legislation that is currently being considered does not address safety concerns, such as vehicle maintenance.
Salvage update
The Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation that would establish nationally uniform requirements regarding the titling and registration of salvage, non-repairable and rebuilt motor vehicles. The bill defines a salvage vehicle as one that has been damaged, destroyed or wrecked up to 80 percent of its pre-accident value and applies to vehicles that are either up to seven years old or have a retail value greater than $7,500. The original legislation contained a 75 percent threshold.ASA supports a national definition for salvage vehicles because current inconsistencies in state definitions provide opportunities for title washing, inappropriate title branding and frustration for consumers who have purchased previously wrecked vehicles. ASA is pleased that the committee has adopted the 80 percent threshold, but is concerned that the legislation applies to all vehicles that are either up to seven years old or worth over $7,500 prior to the accident. ASA supports exempting vehicles over five years of age and worth over $10,000 to ensure that more vehicle owners have the opportunity to repair their vehicles.
The House passed similar legislation, but the full Senate did not act on the legislation before they adjourned.
Clean air
Congress adjourned without passing legislation that would delay implementation of the EPA's new regulations for ozone and particulate matter. The new regulations lower the present standard for ozone from 0.12 parts-per-million to 0.08 parts-per-million and target particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Although the Clinton Administration is committed to the new regulations, it has promised flexible implementation and maximum state involvement. The requirements for fine particulate matter will be delayed for five years until a national monitoring network can be completed and cities will be given time to develop plans to reduce pollution. Senate Majority Leader Lott and other House Republicans have agreed to consider this legislation next year, but supporters of the new regulations claim enough support to prevent an override of this legislation.Report criticizes EPA for disparities
A report issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) inspector general calls for changes in enforcement actions, including efforts to improve consistency, between the states and EPA regions. The report reviewed 18 months of data and found huge disparities existing between penalties assessed and EPA enforcement action throughout the nation. Disparities in information sharing, enforcement authority and action taken against violators were the most troubling. While region 5 assessed $6 million in penalties, region 6 assessed just over $100,000. The average penalty assessed in Texas was $21,990 and the average in Michigan was $68,285.Political climates, limited resources, and delegated agencies' lack of administrative authority and limited legal support were all cited as reasons for inconsistent implementation of the Clean Air Act. The report recommended more efficient use of limited resources; assisting the delegated agencies in obtaining more administrative authority from state legislatures; setting up a "mechanism" to help improve EPA's consistency of enforcement; and establishing a clearinghouse that would contain compliance assistance materials.
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Halftime for the 105th Congress || Top 10 Automotive Repair Web Sites || Assessing the Quality of Aftermarket Collision Repair Parts || Proper Timing Tips to Get Under Your Belt || Women Want Positive, Receptive Customer Service || Review of NACE-97 || Guest Editorial: Aftermarket parts: Here to stay || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || State Corner || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLVI, January 1998