Several key pieces of legislation that could impact our industry are on the table right now. And with the state legislative season beginning in January, there's never been a better time to participate in the legislative process - on a number of levels. The independent repair industry needs a strong voice, and numbers do matter.

The term "grassroots" has been abused in some quarters over the years. How easy it is to suggest, "Let's get the grassroots involved in our issue." Whether it involves local, state or federal policy matters, the phrase offers hope and a possible strategy to resolve a particular issue.

There are various industry estimates as to mechanical and collision repair facilities across the country. The Automotive Service Association estimates there are 100,000 mechanical shops and 41,000 collision shops in the United States. ASA is the oldest and largest national independent repair association representing 13,000 repair facilities. A majority of shops are not members of any repair trade association - local, state or federal.

The same general, strategic applications apply whether you are involved in your local, state or federal government policies. In recent years, repairers have had several high profile successes in the legislative and regulatory arenas. A brief glance at two very different models of repairer activity will highlight how there are various roads to success:

Model 1: Strong State Organization

ASA-Ohio is a strong affiliate, active in governmental affairs at the state and local levels. After debating the issue internally, ASA-Ohio decided to pursue a state licensing initiative for collision repairers. The association has a longtime state lobbyist and seasoned volunteers available to help at the state capitol. Grassroots repairers are organized and available to contact their members of the legislature when called upon by the state association. Through an organized state association effort, ASA-Ohio was successful in obtaining its legislative package establishing a collision licensing program for the state.

Model 2: No State Affiliate Organization

What do you do as a shop owner when there is no opportunity to work through a state association or affiliate? ASA does not have a state affiliate in Texas, yet ASA clearly had Texas members anxious to block the proliferation of insurer-owned repair shops in Texas.

Through a combination of grassroots and "grasstops" (using key leaders throughout the state), repairers were successful in passing legislation to halt the growth of insurer-owned repair facilities. Interested shop owners should note the importance of using leaders in a particular jurisdiction. A few interested leaders contacted other leaders across the state and, together, called on shop owners throughout the state to make their views known at the state capitol.

Repairers are very busy with their own shops - many times too busy to take time away to travel to a state capitol or to Washington, D.C. Yet, many see the value in spending some limited time on an issue of importance. For those too busy to travel, a fax, a phone call, or an e-mail to a legislative office should not be too burdensome.

Texas leaders formed a coalition with new car dealers and other organizations to successfully achieve the insurer-owned repair shop legislation.

How can a shop owner without any formal state organization participate in the legislative process?

• Gather as much information as possible about the issue and other attempts to achieve the chosen initiative.
• Contact other shop owners in your state that have an interest in the issue.
• Determine other interest groups that could be impacted by the particular issue and establish a coalition.

ASA's Web site, www.asashop.org, provides a wealth of information about legislation in other states. ASA's staff can help guide you should you decide to pursue an initiative.

ASA's strategic plan is very clear as to its goal of increasing legislative and regulatory advocacy for independent repairers. This includes a continuous effort to advance:

• Communication
• Coalition Partners
• Legislative and Regulatory Resources
• Advocacy Efforts

ASA's board of directors approved a new governmental affairs committee at its fall board meeting. ASA's governmental affairs office is working with the communications department to continue improving online assistance for local, state and federal advocacy for independent repairers.

It is critical that repairers build a strong national advocate for our industry. Numbers do matter in the process. Association growth and name recognition will be the key to future successes. Realtors, new car dealers, homebuilders, restaurateurs have all established strong national name recognition for their associations and large membership rolls that support their legislative and regulatory agenda. The independent repair industry needs this same voice.

To learn more about issues of interest, please log on to www.asashop.org.

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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