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Help support the ASA Political Action Committee (ASA PAC)!
For more information about the ASA PAC, click here. To become involved in the ASA PAC, start by signing the Permission Form allowing the PAC to solicit funds.
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Obama Administration Proposes Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2009
President Obama unveiled his plan designed to protect the U.S. financial system by giving regulators broader powers. To read the new plan, click here.
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House Committee Holds Hearing on Regulatory Restructuring
The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing recently on the topic of Enhancing Consumer Financial Products Regulation. Click here to view the witness list and a Webcast from the hearing.
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President Obama Announces Insurance Reform Proposal
President Barack Obama announced today the Administration’s proposal for insurance reform, which includes estabilshing a establish a federal Office of National Insurance (ONI).
Click here to download a pdf of the proposal. |
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House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Systemic Risk and Insurance
The House Financial Services' Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government-Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing recently on the topic of Systemic Risk and Insurance. Click here to view the notes, Webcast and other information from the hearing.
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House Passes Cash for Clunker Program; Repair Option Excluded
To download and view a PDF fact sheet of the "Cash for Clunkers" legislation, click here.
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House Small Business Committee Reviews Health Care Reform
The Committee hearing focused on the necessity of change in the American healthcare system, especially for the benefit of small businesses in the United States.
To view a list of witnesses and their testimony, click here. |
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U.S. Senate Holds Hearing on GM and Chrysler Closings
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing June 3 to discuss the closing of GM and Chrysler dealerships.
For a list of witnesses and to view the Webcast, click here. |
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'Cash For Clunkers' Headed for Senate floor
The United States Senate may consider a "Cash for Clunkers" proposal on the floor of the Senate as early as this week. ASA is urging its industry professionals to write their senators in support of a vehicle repair option for consumers in the legislation.
To learn more and send a letter to your senators, click here. |
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House Judiciary Reviews Automaker Bankruptcy Impact
The House of Representative’s Committee on the Judiciary hastily called a hearing to review the impact of the Chrysler and possible General Motors bankruptcies on new car dealerships, employees and consumers.
To view the testimony and other notes, click here. |
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Obama’s Proposed Cash for Clunkers Bill: No Repair Option Included
The proposed a Cash for Clunkers program currently excludes a repair option. ASA is urging its industry professionals to write their legislators in support of a vehicle repair option for consumers in the legislation. To learn more and send a letter to your legislators, click here.
To download a fact sheet that summarizes the newly introduced plan, click here.
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Velazquez Pushes Urgency on SBA Lending to Small Businesses
U.S. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez, chair of the House Committee on Small Business, pointed out in a letter to the new head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), “It has now been 51 days since the president signed these measures into law. Given the current economic climate, it is critical that these programs get underway.”
For information on the SBA prorams available to small businesses, click here. |
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New House Bill Will Establish Federal Insurance Regulatory System
House Bill 1880, the National Insurance Consumer Protection Act, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to create a uniform, modernized federal insurance system. H.B. 1880 would establish a national system of regulation and supervision for insurers, insurance agencies and agents and brokers.
Click here to read the legislation or click here to download a copy of the legislation. |
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Oppose Texas House Bill 4526
H.B. 4526 will force additional burdens on repair facilities related to estimates. In addition, the legislation requires that shops obtain a signed statement from every customer for each repair visit. ASA urges members to contact their state legislator immediately.
Click here to send a letter to your legislator now |
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Nevada Bill Proposes to Increase Total Loss Value to 100% +
Nevada A.B. 447 revising provisions governing when a
vehicle which has been wrecked, destroyed or otherwise
damaged is a “total loss vehicle” based on its cost of repair. Click here to read the legislation.
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California Air Resources Board Adopts Tire Pressure Program
In 2006, California adopted the California Global Warming Solutions Act, also known as AB32. This law created a comprehensive, long term plan for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Read more ...
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House Bill Proposes Repeal of
Insurance Federal Antitrust Exemption
H.R. 1583, the "Insurance Industry Competition Act of 2009," would repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act and grant the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission the legal authority to apply antitrust laws to insurers’ anticompetitive behavior.
Read more about H.R. 1583 ...
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U.S. Senate Holds Hearing on Perspectives on Modernizing Insurance Regulation
The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing March 17 to discuss improved regulation of the insurance industry.
For list of witnesses and to read their testimony, click here. |
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Oppose Missouri Senate Bill 58
Missouri State Senator Bill Stouffer has introduced legislation that would change the Missouri Vehicle Safety Inspection Program to exempt vehicles from testing for their first 10 years. Missouri Senate Bill 58 was introduced Jan. 7, 2009, and has been passed by the state Senate. It is now being considered by the Missouri House of Representatives.
Click here to send a message to your state representatives. |
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Oppose Washington House Bill 1714
ASA is urging Washington state automotive repairers to contact their state legislators in opposition to House Bill 1714, concerning association health plans. Click here to learn more and send a letter now. |
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Court Grants FTC's Injunction on CCC-Mitchell Merger
In light of the decision, the companies announce they will not merge.
Click here to read the Joint Motion.
Click here to read the companies' joint press release. |
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Iowa Introduces Motor Vehicle Emissions Standards
Iowa’s House File 422 would establish motor vehicle
emissions standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty
passenger vehicles beginning with model year 2011. To review this
legislation, click here. |
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Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Patent Reform Hearing
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on "Patent Reform in the 111th Congress: Legislation and Recent Court Decisions." Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) calls for strong patent protections. To view a Webcast of the hearing, click here.
For related legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Congress, view H.R. 1260 and S. 515. |
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Consumer Protection in the Used and Subprime Car Market
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing titled, “Consumer Protection in the Used and Subprime Car Market.” The hearing explored the current state of consumer protection in the auto market, with particular attention to purchases by lower income individuals. To view the testimony and other notes, click here. |
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CARB Announces Enhanced Cash for Clunkers Program: New Funds Will Not Be Used For Repair
The California Air Resources Board's (CARB's) Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program, currently being developed with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, will provide approximately $30 million dollars annually through 2015 to expand the state's existing voluntary vehicle retirement program.
Click here for CARB's workshop presentation and the updated draft regulatory language for the March 4 public workshop.
Click here for more information on this program.
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House Small Business Committee Reviews Options for Small Business Retirement Funding
The hearing was held to seek solutions for small business owners looking to maintain their companies' retirement plans.
Read the statement from Rep. Nydia M. Velasquez, D-N.Y., chair of the committee.
Click here to view the hearing's witness list.
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ASA Testifies at California DOI Hearing
ASA recently testified before the California Department of Insurance. The agency has proposed a new regulation that will provide guidance and specificity to insurers with respect to the nature and degree of involvement they may have in a consumer’s choice of an automotive repair dealer. More infomation ...
Read the testimony
Read the proposed regulation
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CARB Postpones Hearing on Cool Car Strategies
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) hearing to consider the Cool Cars and Test Procedures regulation of Assembly Bill 32 has been rescheduled for June 25-26. It was originally scheduled for March 26-27.
Click here to view the legislation
Click here for information from CARB's March 12 workshop on the Cool Cars and Test Procedures regulation.
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Stimulus Plan Goes to Conference Committee
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, proposed by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, has passed on the Senate floor. The bill will now be negotiated in a House-Senate Conference Committee.
Included in the $838 billion plan is tax assistance to encourage new vehicle purchases. Click here to view the legislation.
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House Small Business Committee Reviews Options for Health Care Reform
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business held a hearing Feb. 4 on "Health Care Reform in a Struggling Economy: What's on the Horizon for Small Business?"
Click here for the statment on the hearing and click here for a list of witnesses. Video of the hearing is also available.
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Florida's Department of Environmental Protection Adopts California's Motor Vehicle Emission Standards
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection has adopted California's emission standards, but super warranty provisions were not included. For more information, click here.
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"Cash for Clunkers" Update: New Proposal Introduced in Senate
Sens. Feinstein, Collins and Schumer recently introduced a measure that would create a voucher program for voluntary retirement of older vehicles. Read the proposal ...
ASA urges all members of the automotive industry to contact their congressional representatives to support a repair option if a “Cash for Clunkers” provision is included in the upcoming Economic Stimulus Package. Read more about this issue ...
Click here to send a letter to your representatives and senators.
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Federal Vehicle Safety Inspection Bill Introduced
The "Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2009," H.R. 259, has been introduced in the first week of the 111th Congress. For more information, click here.
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Obama-Biden Send Stimulus Plan to Congress; Small Business Provisions Included
To download and view a PDF of the Obama-Biden Stimulus Plan proposal, click here.
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Sell Fuel Efficient Cars Act of 2008 Introduced in Senate
The bill would require Secretary of the Treasury to carry out a program to enable certain individuals to trade certain old automobiles for certain new automobiles. For the details on Senate Bill 3737, click here.
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President's Identity Theft Task Force Releases Report
The President's Identity Theft Task Force has released a report on reducing the risk of identity theft. Click here to download the report.
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National Motor Vehicle Title Information System Data to be Available in 2009
U.S. Federal District Court Judge Marilyn H. Patel, of the Northern District of California, has ruled in favor of Public Citizen Inc. in a case filed in February 2008. More infomation ...
Read the court's decision.
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Congress Passes Intellectual Property Legislation
Legislation does not include Lofgren parts language. Read S 3325.
Read the House version, with the Lofgren parts language. Read HR 5638. |
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Rhode Island Insurance Carriers to Survey Labor Rates
A Rhode Island Superior Court judge ruled that all insurance carriers authorized to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in Rhode Island are required to run a labor rate survey. The information gathered by the survey is to be used to determine the auto body labor rate.
View the court's decision |
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OSHA Proposes New Respirator Noncompliance Regulation
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. Read more ...
View the entire proposed regulation. |
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The American Enterprise Association hosted a conference on the future of insurance regulation. Academics have called for the federal regulation of property and casualty insurance. |
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Support the Michigan Mini-Tort Bill
The Automotive Service Association urges independent automotive repairers in Michigan to contact their state senators in response to the proposal to increase the mini-tort law to $1,500. The current cap on the mini-tort is $500. Michigan H.B. 5838 has passed the House and is now before the Senate. ASA believes the current law is outdated and warrants the proposed legislative change.
Click here to contact your state senators and urge them to support this legislation. |
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Allstate Insurance Co. has filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in regard to the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) also has filed a response. Click here to read the full story.
To view the ruling filed Aug. 1, 2007, click here. (2.1 MB .pdf document) |
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Automotive repair shop licensing legislation has been introduced in the Texas state Senate and House of Representatives. Contact your representatives. |
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Oregon State Senate Bill 523 will prohibit insurers from recommending motor vehicle repair shops unless the insured requested referral. Click here to read the full text of the bill. |
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The Antitrust Modernization Commission (AMC) has released its report on U.S. antitrust laws to the president and the U.S. Congress. Read complete report. |
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Several states have introduced 'Right to Repair' legislation. Legislation is not necessary and promotes government intervention in indepedent repair facilities. Click here to view more information and to send opposition letters to your elected officials. |
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Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, has introduced the Insurance Industry Competition Act. This legislation would remove the federal antitrust exemption from the insurance industry. Read the legislation. |
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The U.S. Senate passed The Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2007 by a vote of 94-3. This marks the first time the minimum wage has been increased in 10 years. Click here to view the Senate Bill. Click here to view the House Bill. |
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Missouri Senate Bill 17 would repeal safety inspections for automobiles in the state, allowing substandard vehicles on the road. Click here to send a letter to your elected officials. Click here to read the full text of the bill. |
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ASA recently hosted a shop licensing forum at the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas. Click here to view the presentations and podcast from the forum. |
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Legislation has been introduced that would provide information to consumers regarding vehicles declared "total loss" by insurance companies. Click here to read a letter sent to Congress regarding the issue. Click here for more information. |
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The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs continued hearings to discuss controversial legislation that could impact who regulates the insurance industry. Click here for more information.
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