The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has
three initiatives it intends to pursue during the 2008 legislative
session.

AASP-MN has developed a shop licensing proposal for collision repair
shops. Before the bill is formally introduced, Rep. Joe Atkins
(DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) will ask
the Department of Public Safety to determine precisely whether the fee
structure proposed in the AASP-MN bill will cover the expense of
administering the licensing program.

AASP-MN is also renewing its legislative effort to prohibit insurance
companies from owning repair shops. The association drafted legislation
in 2005 that would have established this prohibition. At that time,
Allstate was appealing the Federal District Court upholding of the
Texas law that prohibits insurers from owning repair shops. Last year,
the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Texas law.
With that ruling, AASP-MN decided to renew its legislative effort.

AASP-MN is also preparing to introduce legislation this year that will
specifically prohibit insurance companies from manipulating estimating
database information. The new prohibitions will make it illegal to
modify any published manual relating to auto body repairs; fail to use
a manual or system in its entirety in the appraisal of a motor vehicle;
or refuse to compensate an auto body shop for documented charges
identified through systems for paint and refinishing materials in
repair claims.

For more information, visit www.aaspmn.org.