Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-32 Sept. 22, 2006

Vehicle Damage Disclosure Bill Introduced in House

BEDFORD, TEXAS, Sept. 22, 2006 - U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., has introduced legislation that would call for The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require the disclosure of all information pertaining to the fair market value and safety of damaged vehicles. Stearns is chairman of the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

The Damaged Vehicle Information Act, H.R. 6093, would also require that all contracts canceled on a passenger vehicle due to damage or theft be disclosed to the public. This would allow the public full access to all the motor vehicle's information. This information would be available electronically.

The information to be disclosed must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), date the contract was terminated, odometer reading on the date of the termination of the contract, whether any of the airbags were deployed, and the cause of the termination of the contract. Among reasons for termination include damage caused by water, collision, fire, and theft and recovery.

Similar legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. Lott's legislation, S. 3707, requires that information held by insurers regarding total loss vehicles be accessible to the public. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) previously announced support for Lott's legislation.

To view the full text of both H.R. 6093 and S. 3707, please visit ASA's legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.asashop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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