Capitol Connection Latest Legislative Updates from the Hill and Around the Country

Important Industry Legislation Introduced Impacting AllAuto Recyclers — Contact Your U.S. Representative toCosponsor

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new bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require automotive manufacturers to provide professional automotive recy- clers with parts data on all parts, as they do for other segments of the automotive service and repair industries. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who received ARA’s Congressional Champion award earlier this year, sponsored the legislation, H.R. 5967, on behalf of all auto recyclers. The legislation is a follow-up to Rep. Kinzinger’s amendment that was includ- ed in the 2015 Highway Bill that became

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law and now requires manufacturers to provide recalled parts data to recyclers. ARA has worked continually with Congressman Kinzinger’s office over the past several years to build the case for why the recycling industry needs this information from the OEMs. As the Congressman wrote in his introductory letter to his House colleagues “...auto- motive recyclers do not receive compre- hensive parts data which would enable the consumer to more readily and accu- rately repair and service their vehicles. My bill would level the playing field for service and repair options.” He went on further to explain that the “professional automotive recycling industry is an inte- gral part of the automotive parts supply

chain. Now is our opportunity to improve automotive safety, stand up for consumer choice, while also providing the thousands of small businesses across the country the critical information nec- essary to continue providing consumer and environmental benefits for all.” Please contact your Member of Congress and ask them to cosponsor HR 5967. If you are unsure of your law- maker’s contact information, use this link and your zip code and it will direct you – http://www.house.gov/represen tatives/find/

Please let Delanne Bernier at delanne@

a-r-a.org know of any feedback you receive. Now is the critical time to act ... Thank You!

utomotive recyclers across the country continue to take advantage of the lull in legislative activity to focus on establishing new and strengthening existing relationships with legislative and regulatory decision makers. In those states with a longer legislative calendar, ARA and its affiliated state chapters continue to monitor and take action on legislation impacting the industry.

In NEW JERSEY, a hearing took place on September

8 regarding legislation that could negatively impact professional automotive recyclers’ ability to sell used tires in the state. Assembly Bill 3896 seeks to prohibit the sale of “unsafe” used tires and while ARA supports the intent of the legislation to promote public safety, it is at the point of installation of a used tire on a motor vehicle that any determination regarding safety, fit or general roadworthiness should take place.

ARA is on record with the bill sponsor, New Jersey Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter, as well as with the Consumer Affairs Committee in which the hear- ing took place, opposing the bill as currently written. Members of ARA’s affiliated state chapter and other ARA member businesses were on hand to testify at

the hearing, and all will continue to work with the sponsor’s office to address the industry’s concerns.

In CALIFORNIA, Assembly Bill 1858 was approved and signed by Governor Jerry Brown on September 22. The legislation will establish an Unlicensed Automobile Dismantling Task Force to investigate occurrences of underground, unlicensed vehicle dismantling. ARA is on record supporting the bill and submitted a letter to the Governor Jerry Brown's office urging him to sign the legislation into law. AssemblyBill 2387 which prohibits the intentional sale, installation, manufacture, or import of coun- terfeit airbags was signed into law also in late Sept- ember.

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