The delay will allow more time for further deliberation and communication with members of the Houston city council over potential changes in the proposed ordinance language.
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Houston chapter sent a letter to Annise D. Parker, Houston city mayor, 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 dramatically since ASA began working with the city, ASA believes further changes are necessary for the association to be supportive. ASA’s proposed changes will benefit consumers and the automotive service industry.
There are several mandates in the proposed ordinance that would place unnecessary burdens on Houston repair shops, consumers and the Houston police department (HPD). In the letter to the mayor and city council, ASA proposed solutions for several issues that have been raised regarding the Nov. 29 ordinance draft, including the following:In addition, in the letter to the mayor and the city council, ASA raised a number of concerns that have yet to be addressed in the current draft ordinance.
These include:
- The definition of a “collision repair
facility” should be changed to better represent
collision repair.
- Reduce the collision requirement to hold
parts for seven days to three days. It is not
feasible for collision repair shops to store
collision-damaged parts for up to seven days.
- ASA questions whether the city can impose
a limit on administrative fees.
- The ordinance should not list specific
names of software programs because it limits the
potential for new and improved estimating guides
in the future.
- Mandate that a vehicle release form be
presented to the vehicle owner or authorized agent
listing the collision repair shop’s costs for
tear-down fees, administrative fees, etc. It will
create transparency for the customer and insurance
company.
- Change the term “body shop” to “collision
repair facility” throughout the proposed
regulation. The language in the proposal should be
consistent.
- There is a discrepancy between the two
different definitions of a collision repair
facility that creates the possibility for
discrimination.
- ASA recommends authorization forms for
consent and nonconsent tows to alleviate problems
in the towing industry.
- Automotive repair facility license fees should be reduced in light of the fact that many others, such as waste disposal fees and sign fees, have increased as well.
The ordinance will be voted on by the city council Dec. 21, 2011. ASA opposes the current draft ordinance and encourages the city council to make additional improvements.
To view the letter sent to the mayor and Houston city council members, visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org.
ASA Has Moved! Our new address is: 8190 Precinct Line Road, Suite 100, Colleyville, TX 76034-7675; Phone (800) 272-7467 & (817) 514-2900; Fax (817) 514-0770.