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. http://www.TakingTheHill.com Michigan House Bill 4778, the insurer-owned repair shop legislation, has passed the Michigan House of Representatives. ASA calls on shops to contact state senators http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/nov2008/PR67.htm Michigan House Bill 4778, the insurer-owned repair shop legislation, has passed the Michigan House of Representatives Committee on Insurance. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/nov2008/PR66.htm The New Jersey Senate will now consider the so-called Right to Repair Act after recent action by the New Jersey Assembly on Assembly Bill 803. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/oct2008/PR64.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be promoting its Safer Car Campaign at ASA's International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) next week in Las Vegas. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/oct2008/PR63.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is pleased to announce it will be hosting representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Collision Repair Campaign at ASA's International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) next week in Las Vegas. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/oct2008/PR62.htm The Identity Theft Task Force, established in 2006 by President George W. Bush to combat identity theft more effectively, has reviewed the progress made on its strategic plan to the president that was submitted in 2007. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/oct2008/PR61.htm Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has vetoed California Assembly Bill 2825 regarding automotive repair crash parts after holding the bill on his desk since Aug. 18, 2008. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/oct2008/PR60.htm California state Senate Bill 1371, titled "Insurance: Automobile Repair Capping," was passed by the state Senate Aug. 8, 2008, and has now been signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/oct2008/PR59.htm The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation on Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement, Senate Bill 3325. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/sept2008/PR58.htm At a hearing of the House Small Business Committee, members of Congress and the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission strongly questioned the testimony of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and seemed unconvinced that the so-called "Right to Repair" legislation was necessary. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/sept2008/PR57.htm On Sept. 18, 2008, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission heard the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Air Pollution Control Division's request for a public hearing. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/sept2008/PR56.htm The U.S. House of Representatives has passed U.S. Senate Bill 2168 for the Identity Theft and Restitution Act of 2007 via voice vote. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/sept2008/PR55.htm Florida's Environmental Regulation Commission held another briefing Aug. 28, 2008, to discuss Florida's proposal of adopting California's motor vehicle emissions standards, including the fleet-wide average greenhouse gas (GHG) standards. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/sept2008/PR54.htm The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has delayed the effective date of an amendment that reorganizes and improves the structure and clarity of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 for Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/sept2008/PR53.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a 30-day "comment period" for the public to voice opinions on the EPA's suggested fine particle standards. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/aug2008/PR52.htm The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed regulation to amend the Remedy for Violation of Requirements to Provide Personal Protective Equipment and Train Employees regulation currently in place. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/aug2008/PR51.htm The Massachusetts legislature added Massachusetts to the growing list of states choosing not to enact the so-called "right to repair" legislation. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/aug2008/PR50.htm The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on "The State of the Insurance Industry: Examining the Current Regulatory and Oversight Structure." http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR49.htm The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on the Economic Stimulus for Small Business: A Look Back and Assessing Need for Additional Relief. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR48.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release a one-hour Webcast on the 2008 Auto Body Rule and Collision Repair Campaign on July 28, 2008, at 1 p.m., EDT. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR47.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA) calls on all Massachusetts repairers to contact their legislators to oppose the Right to Repair Act, Massachusetts House Bill 4892. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR46.htm The California Assembly unanimously passed California Senate Bill 1371 - the fifth version of the bill - that prohibits insurance companies from placing caps on payouts for collision repairs. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR45.htm U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Pa., chairman of the subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, is sponsoring the Insurance Information Act of 2008 (HR 5840) that would establish an Office of Insurance Information within the Treasury Department. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR44.htm The American Enterprise Institution (AEI) held a conference in Washington, D.C., titled "The Future of Insurance Regulation," which featured national leaders who specialize in insurance regulatory policy. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR43.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has amended Hazardous Waste rule No. F019 to encourage use of aluminum in automobile construction. This final rule, which became effective today (July 7), applies to wastewater treatment sludge produced when manufacturing aluminum. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR42.htm The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has delayed final approval of a regulation aimed at improving vehicle roof strength standards. NHTSA was originally planning to finalize the decision this week, but after hearing Senate disapproval over language pre-empting state court lawsuits and with the need for further analysis, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters indicated there would be a delay. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/july2008/PR41.htm The Texas House Law Enforcement Committee held a hearing this week to discuss various issues, including the topic of vehicle key codes. Ron Pyle, president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), presented testimony regarding the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM). Representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) also participated in the panel. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR40.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has urged independent automotive repairers in Michigan to contact their state senator in response to the proposal to increase the mini-tort law to $1,500. Michigan H.B. 5838 was introduced in February by State Rep. Tim Melton. The bill has passed the House and is now before the Senate. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR39.htm The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a meeting last week to brief the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) on its rule development project for the adoption of the California motor vehicle emissions standards. The purpose of the hearing was to review comments received regarding the proposed adoption of California emissions standards. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR38.htm The Automotive Service Association has launched a new section on its legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. The Clean Air Watch section can now be accessed from the home page of TakingTheHill.com and contains important bills, regulations and noteworthy items that pertain to clean air. Air quality is an increasingly important issue to the automotive repair community. Legislation and policies designed to improve air quality greatly affect ASA and the automotive industry. Therefore, ASA believes it is important to monitor such issues and keep ASA members and the public informed on clean air information. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR37.htm The Ozone Transportation Committee (OTC) held its annual meeting last week to discuss upcoming initiatives for 2008-2009. During the meeting, OTC members referenced the new CARB Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Automotive Coatings and made plans to consider the rule and its possible implementation in the OTC member states. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR36.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of General Counsel (OGC) has decided that all ozone nonattainment areas must adopt significantly stricter emissions limits following a federal appeals court decision to vacate the agencyís rule to implement the eight-hour ozone air quality standard. The EPA has not officially announced the decision, though the decision was recently disclosed to an EPA advisory panel. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR35.htm The Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing June 10 to discuss the creation of a federal Office of Insurance Information (OII). H.R. 5840, the Insurance Information Act of 2008, was introduced April 17 by Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Pa., subcommittee chairman, along with four other members of the House Financial Services Committee. The purpose of the hearing was to gather information from insurance industry stakeholders regarding the creation of such an office. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/june2008/PR34.htm The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted on legislation this week to overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyís (EPA) denial of Californiaís waiver request to set its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards. Senate Bill 2555, the ìReducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008,î instructs President Bush to sign the California waiver enabling the state, and others who have adopted the Clean Car Program, to move forward with more stringent GHG standards. The legislation passed by a 10-9 vote. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/may2008/PR33.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA), along with a coalition of various industry groups, has urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to finalize rulemaking that would prevent rebuilt, wrecked, flooded or stolen vehicles from unknowingly landing in consumerís hands. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/may2008/PR32.htm Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed legislation last week that attempted to block state agencies from enacting vehicle emissions regulations. Arizona H.B. 2017 would have prevented the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) or any state agency from adopting government programs that would in any way regulate the emission of greenhouse gas or motor vehicle fuel economy without specific legislative authorization from the Arizona legislature. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/may2008/PR31.htm 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. http://www.TakingTheHill.com The California Air Resources Board (CARB) held a workshop yesterday titled “Cool Paints and Solar Reflective Glazing.” The purpose of the workshop was to discuss approaches to reduce emissions from mobile air conditioners, including solar reflective paints and window glazing. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR30.htm The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) voted this week to approve the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) proposed rules to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from automobiles and other passenger vehicles. This council is required to review all state regulations before they become law. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR29.htm An informational meeting regarding automotive service information was held this week on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for congressional offices. Donny Seyfer, AAM, co-owner of Seyfer Automotive in the Denver area and chairman of ASA’s Colorado affiliate, led the meeting on behalf of the Automotive Service Association. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR28.htm The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has planned a study to re-evaluate the benefits of an annual fit test requirement for employees required to use a respirator at work. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will perform the study, which is currently in its development stages, to determine the necessary intervals of respirator fit testing. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR27.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold its 2008 Environmental Summit in Washington, D.C., later this month. The EPA’s Environmental Assistance Network (EAN) will sponsor a special session May 21 to discuss environmental assistance opportunities and needs. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR26.htm Florida House Bill 7135 passed that state’s Senate today by a 39-1 vote. This legislation passed the Florida House of Representatives on April 29. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR25.htm Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) marked the Earth Day celebration by issuing three executive orders as part of his Climate Action Plan. One executive order issued a standard for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR24.htm The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has scheduled a workshop for May 23 to present and receive comments on the development of a regulation for a new voluntary vehicle retirement program. The Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program (EFMP) was authorized by Assembly Bill 118 and will be administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR23.htm The U.S. House Financial Service Subcommittee held Part III of its hearing on insurance regulation recently. The previous hearings were held in October 2007 and focused on the need for insurance regulatory reform. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR22.htm The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted March 27 to triple the amount of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) proposed for production by automakers from 2012 through 2014. CARB staff members originally proposed a requirement of 2,500 vehicles but the board increased this to 7,500. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/april2008/PR21.htm The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced new legislation aimed to create an exemption in the U.S. patent law to enable the production of aftermarket automobile parts. H.R. 5638, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., creates an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair another article of manufacture. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/march2008/PR20.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has launched a new section of its legislative Web site that allows consumers and shop owners to easily access their state insurance regulatory agency Web sites. Also included on the new Web page is the specific name of the agency, contact information, the Web site address for the agency, and a link to instructions for filing a complaint for that particular state. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/march2008/PR19.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule yesterday after finding many states failed to submit state implementation plans (SIPs) as required by the EPA's 1997 Eight-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/march2008/PR18.htm Reps. David Scott, D-Ga., and Geoff Davis, R-Ky., have introduced H.R. 5611, the National Association of Registered Agents & Brokers Reform Act (NARAB II). The bill aims to modernize the current system of insurance agent licensing as it applies to those who are registered in multiple states. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/march2008/PR17.htm The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a third workshop March 18 in Tallahassee, Fla. The topic was greenhouse gas emissions reduction and the potential adoption of California motor vehicle emissions standards in Florida. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/march2008/PR16.htm ASA-Arizona has submitted comments to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) regarding the proposed adoption of Article 18 to implement the California Low Emission vehicle program in Arizona, as permitted under the Clean Air Act Section 177 and 209. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/march2008/PR15.htm Oklahoma House Bill 2820, creating the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act, was heard Feb. 19 by the House Economic Development and Financial Services' Subcommittee on Industry and Labor. Rep. Daniel Sullivan introduced the bill Feb. 4. The subcommittee voted against the bill by a vote of 7-0. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR14.htm The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Allstate Insurance Company's petition for writ of certiorari. Most recently, Allstate Insurance Company filed a reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR13.htm A hearing was held Feb. 14 by U.S. House Judiciary's Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property titled "Design Law: Are Special Provisions Needed to Protect Unique Industries?" The hearing focused on the fashion and automotive industries. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR12.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) have produced a video addressing service repair issues in the automotive industry. The purpose of the video is to demonstrate that the same service information is available to dealers and independent automotive repairers. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR11.htm South Dakota Senate Bill 103 was tabled this morning during a House hearing. The bill, introduced by state Sen. Nancy Turbak, aimed to establish certification provisions regarding the use of replacement crash parts in the repair of certain motor vehicles. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR10.htm Virginia Senate Bill 526, introduced by state Sen. Mamie Locke, has been suspended until 2009. This bill would change the car inspection requirement to every two years rather than the annual requirement currently in place. It would also increase the maximum allowable fee for most vehicles. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR9.htm South Dakota Senate Bill 103, introduced by state Sen. Nancy Turbak, aims to establish certification provisions regarding the use of replacement crash parts in the repair of certain motor vehicles. The bill was introduced Jan. 16 and was passed in the state Senate Jan. 25. It has now moved to the South Dakota House of Representatives. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR8.htm ASA's Collision Division Operations Committee has created a document addressing U.S. EPA paint regulation compliance questions for independent automotive repair shops in the United States. The document is available for ASA members. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/feb2008/PR7.htm Allstate Insurance Company has filed a reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/jan2008/PR6.htm The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has urged independent automotive repairers in Arizona to contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and their state legislators in response to the proposal of a Clean Car Program in Arizona. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/jan2008/PR5.htm Missouri state Rep. Jason Brown has introduced legislation that would change the Missouri State Safety Inspection Program to exempt vehicles from testing for their first six years. Missouri House Bill 1486 was introduced Jan. 9 and was referred to the Special Committee on General Laws. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/jan2008/PR4.htm Allstate Insurance Company has filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in regard to the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/jan2008/PR3.htm The 2007 New Jersey General Assembly session has ended without consideration of A 931, the so-called "Right to Repair" bill. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance), the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) commend the New Jersey Assembly for rejecting this legislation. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/jan2008/PR2.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final rule for paint stripping and miscellaneous surface coating. This regulation enacts national emission standards for area sources engaged in paint stripping and various surface coating operations. http://www.asashop.org/news/2008/jan2008/PR1.htm