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Tire Pressure Regulation Approved
The California Tire Pressure Regulation final rules package submitted by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) was recently approved by the Office of Administrative Law. In addition, the petition for an early effective date of Sept. 1, 2010 was granted.
The purpose of the regulation is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles operating with under-inflated tires and applies to all automotive service providers performing or offering to perform automotive maintenance or repair services in California. Read the final rule here.
EPA Postpones Final Decision on Smog Rule
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will postpone the final rule on the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) to late October. Learn more ...
GAO Report Faults Oversight of FHLB’s Small Business Collateral Policies Small Business Jobs Bill Stalls in the Senate A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in which the GAO investigated and analyzed the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s oversight of the Federal Home Loan Banks’ small business collateral policies and how they could be improved. Read more ...
U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) Introduces Clean Energy Technology Act of 2010
On August 5, 2010, United States Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced Senate Bill 3738, the "Clean Energy Technology Leadership Act of 2010." The purpose of the bill is to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for clean energy manufacturing, to reduce emissions, to produce renewable energy, and to promote conservation.
Wisconsin D.O.T. to Hold Vehicle Emission Inspection Process Hearing
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a hearing on August 12 to discuss amendments relateing to the vehicle emission inspection process. Click here to view the proposed changes.
North Carolina D.O.T. Proposes Vehicle Inspection Changes
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has proposed changes to its vehicle inspection program regarding emissions testing. To view the proposed changes, click here.
California BAR Proposes Vehicle Retirement Changes
The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has proposed changes to its Smog Check Program. The BAR wants to update the regulations involved in the Smog Check Program to speed up the retirement of older, high-polluting vehicles. To view the proposed regulations, click here.
Massachusetts Right to Repair Act
Not Considered
The Massachusetts state legislature ended its formal session on Saturday evening, July 31, without having taken action on Senate Bill 2517, Massachusetts’ “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Bill.” The bill had been referred to the state’s House Committee on Ways and Means, and the committee opted to take no action. MORE INFORMATION ON R2R
House Committee Addresses Intellectual Property, Counterfeit Auto Parts
The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing, titled "The Impact of Intellectual Property on Entrepreneurship and Job Creation," to highlight the importance of protecting intellectual property and how this protection can "spur job growth.
NCOIL Property-Casualty Insurance Committee Considers Steering
The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) Property-Casualty Insurance Committee met July 10 at its summer meeting in Boston to discuss a proposed substitute amendment draft of the Model Act Regarding Insurer Auto-Body Steering. ASA opposes the Model Act as it is currently drafted.
ASA Asks Repairers to Contact NCOIL Legislators
The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) will hold a hearing July 8 at its summer meeting in Boston on the proposed Model Act Regarding Motor Vehicle Crash Parts and Repair. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes the Model Act. Send your letter NOW!ASA sent committee chair State Senator Ruth Teichman (R-Kan.), a letter outlining its opposition to the Model Act. Click here to view the letter. Last spring, ASA submitted testimony in opposition to the Model Act. Click here to view a pdf of the testimony. ASA also wrote a letter to NCOIL Property-Casualty Committee chair Senator Ruth Teichman concerning Section 6 of the Model Act Regarding Motor Vehicle Crash Parts and Repair.
A copy of the proposed the proposed Model Act Regarding Motor Vehicle Crash Parts and Repair is available on the NCOIL website. Click here to view a pdf of the bill.
Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Automotive Safety Legislation
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened the full committee for a hearing on S. 3302, The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010. Click here for more information.
Exemption of Auto Dealers from Financial Reform Bill Proposed
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., has has proposed an exemption of auto dealers from the Financial Reform Bill introduced by Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. For more information, click here.
Congress Mulls Motor Vehicle Safety
Act of 2010
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 is intended to strengthen the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and improve vehicle safety. For more information on the proposed legislation, download the following documents:
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Improving Transportation Safety
The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, led by chairman Barbara Boxer, convened the full committee to address a number of transportation safety issues, including distracted driving and texting, drunk driving, safety concerns impacting children and the elderly, and various infrastructure improvements. For more information, click here.
EPA, NHTSA Finalize National Clean Cars Program
The U.S. EPA and NHTSA are finalizing a joint rule to establish a national program consisting of new standards for model-year 2012 through 2016 light-duty vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel economy. EPA is finalizing the first-ever national GHG emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, and NHTSA is finalizing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Learn more ...
OSHA Finalizing Rule For Recording Injuries
in the Workplace
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed to change the pre-existing standards so that employers with 10 or more employees (unless exempt) would be required to record certain work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in their OSHA 300 Log. The rule would require employers to place a check mark in a column for all MSDs they have recorded. Read more ...
Click here to download a pdf of comments from the Small Business Administration.
House Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Design Patents for Auto Replacement Parts
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on “Design Patents and Auto Replacement Parts.” The hearing focused on Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) “Access to Repair Parts Act,” H.R. 3059. ASA opposes this bill because it makes no assurances for the quality and safety of non-original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts. Learn more ...
Senate Banking Committee Passes Restoring American Financial Stability Act
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs quickly passed on March 22 Chairman Christopher Dodd's, D-Conn., "Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010" along party lines. The bill now goes to the Senate floor where the bill is expected to be challenged with amendments by Senate Republicans.
House Holds Hearing to Modernize OSHA Penalties
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing March 16 on “Protecting America’s Workers Act: Modernizing OSHA Penalties” to discuss modernizing workplace health and safety penalties.
Click here for more information and to download an archived Webcast of the hearing.
House Subcommittee Considers NHTSA Authority to Regulate Aftermarket Crash Parts
The House subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection recently held a hearing to examine the operations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and its authority to regulate aftermarket crash parts. Click here to view the hearing testimony. Read the letter ASA sent to NHTSA in February 2010.
Download the 2001 General Accounting Office report that resulted from a meeting between ASA and members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce.
ASA Opposes Repair Parts Legislation
Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s, D-Calif., Access to Repair Parts Act, H.R. 3059, is soon to be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary. ASA opposes this legislation because it makes no assurances for the quality and safety of non-original equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) parts, and because the bill would deny businesses the ability to rightfully protect their intellectual property. Send a letter NOW to your legislator
Japanese Clunker Program Includes
U.S.-Imported Cars
The Japanese government has altered its Cash for Clunkers program to include vehicles manufactured in the United States, after pressure from the U.S. Congress.
Key U.S. Senator Raises Concern About
Cash for Clunkers Program
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, has written a letter of inquiry to Ray LaHood, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), to find out where the startup money for the "Cash for Clunkers" program, enacted in the summer of 2009, was spent.
U.S. House Passes Estate Tax Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 4154, “The Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act,” in a vote of 225-200. The sponsor of this bill is Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
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