Collision Repair

U.S. Senate passes Dodd-Frank reform bill

March 19, 2018

While Congress considered banking reform over the past few months, ASA worked to ensure that the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), instituted by Title V of Dodd-Frank, would be protected.

ABRN Wire Reports

On March 14, the U.S. Senate passed S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, which is a wide-ranging bank deregulation bill that would scale back key parts of the 2010 Dodd-Frank law. The bill passed by a vote of 67-31.

While Congress considered banking reform over the past few months, ASA worked to ensure that the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), instituted by Title V of Dodd-Frank, would be protected. Last fall, the Automotive Service Association’s Collision Operations Committee (COC) met with the FIO’s deputy director, Steven Seitz, and other FIO officials to discuss the future of the office, as well as their work in the property and casualty sector as related to vehicles.

Attendees were able to provide firsthand insight into the relationships between collision repair shops, consumers and insurance companies. COC members also were able to meet with key congressional offices, including the Senate Banking Committee, to discuss the importance of federal oversight of the insurance industry and the need to protect the FIO.

Following the passage of S. 2155, ASA’s Collision Division Director Scott Benavidez, said, “I am gratified to see the results of our efforts reflected in the text of the Dodd-Frank reform bill. ASA supports federal oversight of the insurance industry and believes the FIO is the best first step in that direction. To date, the FIO’s staff have been very open and communicative with ASA, and we are looking forward to growing that relationship. I’d like to personally thank all of our members who contacted their senators in defense of the FIO. Your voice has been heard.”

The House-passed Dodd-Frank reform legislation would repeal the FIO. The Senate and House must work out their differences in conference or the House could accept the Senate language. At this time, though, the FIO is still at risk.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and collision repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous state affiliate and chapter groups.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. To take advantage of the many benefits of membership in ASA, please visit ASAshop.org or call (817) 514-2900.

For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at TakingTheHill.com.