B. Asa

B. The Washington Office will, at the direction of the ASA Board, develop new legislation and seek sponsors and supporters for the legislation both inside and outside the Congress to benefit ASA members.

C. The Washington office will study, evaluate and report on all new legislation for its potential impact on ASA members.

D. The Washington office will garner grassroots support from ASA members and other interested parties on issues of principal concern.

E. The Washington office will utilize online monitoring technology and other available resources to further the legislative and regulatory goals of ASA.

II. Develop a Position and a Lobbying Strategy for All Important Legislation

The Washington office will recommend positions and lobbying strategies to ASA's Board of Directors for legislation that has been introduced or for any new proposals to be supported or opposed by ASA.

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ASA supports legislation which prevents insurance companies from requiring the use of aftermarket crash parts unless the vehicle owner consents in writing.ASA supports the repeal or modification of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which exempts the insurance industry from federal antitrust laws.ASA supports legislation providing for the disclosure of certain insurance data to facilitate assessment of any relationship between liability insurance cost and the civil justice system.ASA supports legislation to restore the authority of the Federal Trade Commission over the business of insurance.ASA supports more stringent solvency regulations.

B. Vehicle Inspection Legislation and RegulationsASA promotes and supports federal programs for assistance to the states in establishing motor vehicle inspections for safety and emissions.The federal programs should provide inspection criteria and give technical, limited administrative and financial start-up assistance to the states, so that each state may implement an inspection program tailored to meet its own unique requirements.ASA supports legislation that encourages the states to adopt safety inspection programs, combined with vehicle emissions inspection programs (I&M) where feasible.ASA supports technician training and certification initiatives that will generate qualified technicians to perform additional maintenance and repairs.ASA supports technician tracking programs to compile data on technician performance to assist management decisions to improve training, assist shop owners in selecting skilled technicians and provide an incentive for technicians to seek training.ASA opposes accelerated vehicle scrappage programs in instances where older, high-emitting vehicles can be identified and adequately repaired.ASA supports programs that encourage private industry polluters to give subsidies to needy vehicle owners to assist in repairing older vehicles so they comply with safety and emission standards.

C. Labor LegislationASA supports a system of voluntary, non-discriminatory private sector health care benefits.ASA opposes legislation that would compel all employers to offer health care coverage to their employees.ASA supports the continued deductibility of health costs in small business.ASA supports employer compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) worker right-to-know regulations.ASA opposes further legislation that would duplicate or strengthen OSHA's extensive hazard notification requirements.ASA supports tax incentives for employers to offer a wide array of employee benefits.ASA opposes legislation that would bar employers from permanently replacing striking workers.ASA supports OSHA's consultation program and encourages its members to participate in it.

D. Small Business LegislationASA supports the reform of product liability law through enactment of a uniform federal product liability law to replace the current system of differing state product liability laws.ASA supports federal and state tort reform.ASA opposes granting vehicle manufacturers monopoly copyright or patent rights on sheet metal parts or design patents on the shapes of other OE parts.ASA supports the Coalition for Fiscal Restraint (COFIRE) to oppose any new federal taxes and to urge Congress to implement major tax reform.ASA supports a constitutional balanced budget.ASA opposes new and added administrative responsibilities and costs for all automotive repair establishments through regulations under the Anti-Car Theft laws.ASA supports vertical price-fixing prevention legislation that outlaws conspiracies between large retailers and manufacturers to make merchandise unavailable to independents through discounting the price of the product.ASA supports regulatory flexibility legislation requiring analysis of the likely impact of Federal legislation and regulations upon small businesses and to clarify procedures for judicial review of Federal agency compliance with regulatory flexibility.ASA supports legislation to reduce Federal paperwork and regulatory burdens.

E. Environmental LegislationASA supports legislation which limits the transfer of automotive paint products containing volatile organic compounds to those who are properly trained and certified to sell, apply and dispose of such products.ASA supports attempts to reduce the amount of oil and antifreeze disposed of improperly each year through recycling legislation with business incentives.ASA supports legislation that would provide incentives for the recycling of scrap tires and lead-acid batteries.ASA supports independent repair and consumer education regarding repair and retrofit of a/c systems.

F. Motor Vehicle Titling LegislationASA supports national uniform motor vehicle titling legislation.ASA supports post-repair vehicle inspectionASA opposes arbitrary limits on vehicles capable of being repaired.

III. Monitor Changes in Existing Government Regulations

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ASA will pay particular attention to new regulations governing the Clean Air Act amendments, hazardous waste, community right-to-know, underground storage tanks, and Superfund.

B. ASA supports and actively participates in the Washington Aftermarket Group, the Coalition for Competitive Repair Parts, the Antifreeze Coalition, the Small Business Legislative Council, and a variety of government coalitions and working groups.The Washington Representative serves on advisory committees of the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Justice on issues regarding vehicle theft and titling, in addition to several advisory committees of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

ASA will continue to participate in and coordinate comments and responses to EPA, OSHA and other agency regulations.

IV. Monitor Federal and State Court Activity

V. Provide Ongoing Guidance to the States in Matters of Shop and Technician Licensing and Certification

VI. Respond to the Directives of the Board of Directors and Coordinate Actions According to the Dictates of the ASA Master Plan.

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A. The Washington office will provide press releases, special reports and other public relations materials to complement and support ASA's legislative and regulatory activities and keep ASA members aware of what is happening in Washington that may affect their businesses.
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B. The Washington office will continue working with the national news media and with other automotive trade associations.

VIII. Respond to Other Special Requests of the Board and Maintain Liaison with Other Automotive and Related Trade Associations on Legislation and Regulations.

A. The Washington Office will participate in the following groups as well as others that will benefit ASA :.Washington Aftermarket GroupFederal Advisory CommitteesIndustry Coalitions

Approved by the ASA Board of Directors, September 1998

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Other Web sites related to the formal positions and federal legislative objectives of ASA.

asainfo@asashop.org Copyright © 2000 Automotive Service AssociationAll rights reserved.