ASA asks Houston repairers to oppose proposed licensing ordinance

The Houston City Council is scheduled to consider a proposed ordinance to regulate the automotive repair and collision industry at an upcoming city council meeting. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) contacted the mayor and council members asking that they address a number of concerns with the proposed ordinance.

Although the proposed ordinance has gone through multiple revisions, ASA is concerned that there are still significant issues with the ordinance. Consumers and repairers were not consulted during the development of the draft ordinance. The lack of stakeholder involvement in drafting the ordinance has ensured that several remaining provisions are detrimental to repairers and consumers.

ASA asked the mayor and council, in December, to delay further action on the proposed ordinance until stakeholders, both public and private, can meet and agree to the provisions that impact consumers and small businesses in Houston. These stakeholder meetings with ASA members have not occurred to date.

Due to the lack of stakeholder involvement and no resolution to remaining issues important to independent repairers, ASA asks repairers and consumers to contact the mayor and city council requesting that they oppose the proposed Automotive Shop Licensing Ordinance.

The Automotive Service Association’s Houston chapter has been active in a grassroots effort since last summer, contacting Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker and all members of the City Council, recommending changes to Section 8 of the current proposed Automotive Repair Shop Licensing Ordinance. While the ordinance has improved since ASA began working with the city, ASA believes further changes are necessary for ASA to be supportive. ASA’s proposed changes will benefit consumers and the automotive service industry.

The ordinance is scheduled to be voted on by the Houston City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. ASA encourages the city council to defeat the ordinance and replace it with an ordinance that includes more consumer and industry input.

To send a letter to the city council in opposition to the ordinance – and to view information regarding ASA’s grassroots effort, including the letter sent to the mayor and Houston City Council members – visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com .

For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org.