House Committee Passes Federal Insurance Office Act
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services has passed H.R. 2609, the "Federal Insurance Office Act," by a unanimous voice vote. H.R. 2609, introduced by Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Pa., would establish an Office of Insurance Information in the Department of the Treasury. A similar bill died in committee last year. Rep. Melissa
OTC Adopts Coatings Model Rule Covering VOC Limits, Equipment and Training
The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) – a regional group of New England and Mid-Atlantic states – adopted a resolution, the Model Rule for Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Non-Assembly Line Coatings Operations, at its recent fall meeting in Baltimore. In creating the model rule, the OTC followed the California Air Resources Board Suggested Control Measure for
SCRS Says Industry’s Voice Heard After Airbag Model Act Passes with Amendments
Last week, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) met in New Orleans, La., to discuss a proposed model act on airbag fraud that eventually was passed by the NCOIL Property and Casualty committee after opposing testimony provided by collision repairers and others led to amendments. The airbag fraud model act establishes criminal penalties for
ASA Opposes Crash Part Patent Legislation Favoring Aftermarket
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has joined other major associations in distributing a letter to both the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee in opposition to legislation that would create an exception from infringement of design patents for certain component parts, including automotive parts, used to repair another article
Airbag, Aftermarket Parts Model Legislation to Be Debated this Week
Model legislation covering airbags and aftermarket parts use will be debated by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators Property and Casualty Insurance Committee (NCOIL) beginning Thursday. NCOIL drew attention from collision repairers this summer when it introduced the model legislation, which is used as a base for legislation introduced in state legislatures. NCOIL’s Model Act
U.S. House Repeals Health Insurer Antitrust Exemption
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act," in a vote of 220-215. H.R. 3962 contains a provision that repeals the antitrust exemption in the McCarran-Ferguson Act for health insurers. The provision excludes property and casualty insurers. According to the Automotive Service Association (ASA), U.S. Sen. Patrick
Insurance Commissioners Urge Congress to Maintain State Oversight of Insurers
Federal oversight of financial markets must complement, not displace the national system of state-based insurance supervision, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) told Congress last week during a hearing on federal efforts to reform financial regulation. Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee, Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas R. Sullivan stated that oversight by state
ASA Calls for Full Repeal of McCarran-Ferguson Act
Congress is considering a partial repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act that would apply only to health insurers – H.R. 3596, the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Act – which was recently approved by the House Judiciary Committee. The Automotive Service Association (ASA), however, says it supports a full repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act that would affect
U.S. House Judiciary Committee Votes to Pass McCarran-Ferguson Repeal for Health Insurers
The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted 20-9 in favor of H.R. 3596, the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Act, which would partially repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act as it applies to health insurers. The House leadership has not scheduled consideration for the floor. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) says it supports a repeal of the
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A/M Parts: Like, Kind and Quality?
I recently read a news story on your Web site [CAA Survey Questions Quality of CAPA-Certified Parts] and feel the need to comment. First, a little background on me. I’ve owned and operated a larger shop on the West Coast for almost 30 years and have experienced firsthand all of the different changes that have
ASK BSB:Supplements and the Law
Dear BSB: Is there a federal law that requires insurance companies to write a supplement within 48 hours of receiving notice? Signed: Stymied by Supplements Dear Stymied by Supplements: No. First, there is no federal law that requires an insurer to write an estimate. (In fact, state law typically doesn’t require insurers to write estimates