CAA is continuing to closely monitor these bills that affect the state’s aftermarket, providing analysis and updates as the session moves forward
Sacramento, Calif.—The California Autobody Association (CAA) has provided its Legislative & Regulatory Update for June, noting that more than 2,300 bills were introduced this year. The bills are making their way through the legislative committee process.
“We will continue to monitor closely, provide analysis and updates as the session moves forward,” CAA stated in an email. Below is a short CAA summary of some of the key bills/areas and regulations it is tracking. To learn more as bills advance and how to join CAA, visit www.calautobody.com.
Catalytic Converter Theft Bills – Concerns
AB 1740 – Requires core recyclers who accept converters to maintain record of the year, make and model of the vehicle from which converter was removed. Status: Senate.
AB 2407 – Requires core recyclers who accept converters to obtain thumb prints from seller disposing of catalytic converters. Amendments requested to exempt automotive repair dealers from thumb print requirements. Status: Senate.
AB 2682 – Any ARD that installs or replaces a catalytic converter shall ensure that it is engraved or otherwise marked with VIN and a smog station shall visually inspect and notify customer whether or not converter engraved with VIN. The bill also makes it a crime to remove or alter a VIN that has been added to the catalytic converter. Status: Senate.
SB 986 – Requires core recyclers who accept converters to maintain specified written records and prohibits a dealer from selling a vehicle unless converter has been engraved, etched or permanently marked with VIN. Status: Assembly.
SB 1087 – Requires core recyclers who accept converters to maintain specified written records and prohibits any person from purchasing used converter other than a dismantler or auto repair dealer. Status: Assembly.
Employment Bills – Concerns
AB 1949 – Provides for 5 unpaid days of employee bereavement leave upon the death of a family member. Status: Senate.
AB 2243 – Amended to require Cal-OSHA to submit a proposal to the Heath Standards Board to consider revising the heat illness standard. Status: Senate.
SB 1044 – Prohibits an employer from taking adverse action against any employee for refusing to report to work because employee feels unsafe due to state emergency. Status: Assembly.
SB 1162 – Requires employers of 100 or more workers to publish annual pay data reports by company name. Status: Assembly.
Career Tech Bills – Support
AB 2058 – Support – This bill would increase career tech funding to $450 million instead of $300 million annually. Status: Senate.
SB 1351 – Establishes the California Youth Apprenticeship Program for purpose of awarding grant funds. Status: Assembly.
Employer Tax Credits – Support
SB 1349 – Support – Allows for $1,000 state tax credit for each employee hired by employer. Status: Assembly.
AB 1864 – Allows for a tax credit against taxes to qualified small business employers in an unspecified amount for each newly hired employee, as specified. Status: Assembly Revenue and Tax for hearing only.
Tires
SB 1181 – This bill requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to strengthen the California tire tracking system to quantify the number of used tires flowing from and through California into Mexico. The bill will also prohibit a person from selling an unsafe used tire to be used by a vehicle on a highway. Status: Assembly.
Battery Fee
AB 1 – This bill makes technical corrections to the current notice requirement to reflect the increase of the battery fee from $1.00 to $2.00 that went into effect on April 1, 2022. Status: Senate.
Hydrofluorocarbon Gases – Concerns
SB 1206. This bill prohibits a person from selling or distributing hydrofluorocarbons gases (which are used in refrigerants, air conditioning, etc.) that exceed global warming limits. Status: Assembly.
Zero Emissions Aftermarket Conversions
AB 2350 – Requires CARB to establish the Zero Emissions Aftermarket Conversion Project to provide applicant with a rebate for the aftermarket conversion of a motor vehicle into zero emissions vehicle. Status: Senate.
Vehicle Insurance – Support
SB 1107 – Support. This bill, among other things, would increase the amount of liability insurance coverage an owner of vehicle is required to maintain from the current $15,000 for single injury or death, $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person and $5,000 for property ($15k,$30k,$5k) to ($30k, $60k, $15k). Status: Assembly.
State Budget
The Governor’s budget includes additional funding for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to implement last year’s SB 158, which created a new Hazardous waste oversight Board and the subsequent increase in hazardous waste fees. State budget is expected to be approved by June 15, 2022.
BAR Regulations
AB 471 Implementation – BAR continues to move forward implementing AB 471 through regulations, which includes an informal appeal process for citations, creating an independent 3-member panel to hear citation appeals, remedial training and provider certification, storage fee clarification and vehicle safety inspection program.
Upcoming BAR Workshops – As part of the AB 471 implementation, BAR is holding a regulatory workshop on July 21, 2022. The workshop is on vehicle safety inspection program. CAA plans on attending and will report.
Cite & Fine – BAR is moving forward with citation and fine regulations which would provide the BAR the ability to issue citations and fines to auto repair facilities, up to $5,000 per citation. The BAR has held three workshops on these proposed regulations. Due to the passage of AB 471, the regulations will include the ability for shops to informally appeal citations before an independent panel and the option to take remedial training to prevent the citation from being posted on the BAR website. Concerns have been raised that any citations and fines issued must be based on objective and fair and reasonable guidelines. The BAR continues to work on addressing concerns raised by the repair industry.
BAR Advisory Group Committee Meeting – The next BAR advisory committee meeting is scheduled for July 21, 2022.
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