Contact:	Clarence Mills (202) 543-1440 c.mills@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-67 November 14, 2008

Michigan Insurer-Owned Shop Bill Passes House

ASA Calls on Shops to Contact State Senators

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 14, 2008 – Michigan House Bill 4778, the insurer-owned repair shop legislation, has passed the Michigan House of Representatives by a vote of 61 to 40, and now moves to the state Senate. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports this legislation.

“Michigan legislators have heard the concerns of collision shop owners. Insurer-owned shop legislation has been tested all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court with the Texas insurer-owned shop law. This bill is good for consumers, small businesses and jobs in local communities,” said Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative.

The bill prohibits insurance companies from owning repair facilities in Michigan.

Redding said, “Time is running short for this session. We need repairers to contact their state senator encouraging that they support House Bill 4778 and work to ensure it is considered on the floor of the Senate.”

Michigan repairers can go to www.TakingTheHill.com to contact their state senator.

An amendment was accepted to the legislation during committee consideration that prohibits insurers from developing a list of preferred shops or in any other way conveying to an insured vehicle policyholder information regarding which repair facility the insured should seek for repairs.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair 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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