As the California Legislature comes to the middle of its legislative session, CAWA’s Legislative team reports the status of three legislative proposals impacting the automotive aftermarket industry and CAWA members specifically.
CAWA, or the California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesaler's Association, is currently tracking approximately 40 legislative proposals that could have an impact on the aftermarket industry, however the following bills have been the main priority of the association and its government affairs team.
AB 1735 (Hall) – Nitrous Oxide: Dispensing and Distributing
CAWA POSITION: OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED
This bill would make it a misdemeanor to dispense or distribute nitrous oxide to a person, knowing or having reason to believe that the person is going to use the nitrous oxide with the intent to breathe, inhale, or ingest for the purpose of causing intoxication, euphoria, dizziness, etc. and that person proximately causes great bodily injury or death to himself, herself, or another person, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed 6 months, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Additionally, the bill would require any person who dispenses or distributes nitrous oxide to record each transaction in a written or electronic document and would require the person to make the document available for inspection, upon presentation of a duly authorized search warrant, to the California State Board of Pharmacy or other law enforcement agencies. The bill would require the purchaser to sign the document and provide a government-issued photo identification and residential address.
Status: Currently working with author’s office to craft amendments to remove impact on CAWA members that sell or distribute nitrous oxide.
SB 916 (Correa) – Biosynthetic Lubricants: Procurement/Sale
CAWA POSITION: OPPOSE
Effective January 1, 2016, this bill would have required state agencies and state contractors to purchase lubricating oil that meets minimal standards and certifications, and bans the sale of lubricating oil in California after January 1, 2017 unless it meets these minimal standards for biosynthetic lubricants.
Status: Died in Committee
SB 994 (Monning) – Telematics Legislation
CAWA POSITION: NEUTRAL
SB 994 would have created the Consumer Car Information and Choice Act by requiring manufacturers that generate or collect vehicle information through telematics technology to make disclosures to the owner about that information, provide the owner with access to the information for transmission to a 3rd party, and would prohibit a manufacturer from limiting or restricting the owner from accessing their vehicle information.
Status: Died in Committee
“CAWA is at the forefront of protecting its members from legislation and government regulations that adversely impact the automotive aftermarket industry each year. This California legislative session proves to be a busy year for us as we are defending the aftermarket from a number of attacks on our ability to provide parts and service to motorists”, stated Rodney K. Pierini, CAWA President & CEO.
In addition, CAWA in its effort to promote the National Be Car Care Aware Campaign was successful in securing a California Senate Resolution recognizing April 2014 as “National Car Care Month” in California. The measure, SCR 112 by Senator Tom Berryhill, urges all California residents to be “Car Care Aware” and inspect and perform all maintenance necessary to ensure their vehicle is operating in a safe, efficient and clean manner.
“CAWA remains committed to protecting the business and industry interests of its members in the three states we represent, Arizona, Nevada, and California”, continued Pierini. “While we waited with great anticipation the telematics legislation that was introduced by AAA, CAWA took a neutral position on the measure due to a number of concerns that were not resolved in the bill. CAWA commits to continuing to engage in constructive dialogue with AAA to add the aftermarket perspective should AAA decide to take the bill up again next year.”
CAWA is a regional automotive aftermarket trade association, which represents auto parts jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives and program groups. The Association provides education, legislative, regulatory and business support to the industry and its membership. It is one of the largest trade associations of its kind in the United States and recognized as a leader in the automotive aftermarket industry.
For more information about the California Legislative session contact California Legislative Advocate Gary Conover at [email protected] or 916-233-9655.
