2024- 2025 LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS
The Auto Body Association of Texas’ number one priority is and always will be consumer safety. Sometimes that safety is physical and sometimes it is protection of their rights. We stand up for shops and the consumer alike to make sure that auto body repair is safe, proper and fair. Here is what we are working on at the capitol:
The Fair Appraisal Bill addresses the consumers’ right to a fair appraisal in the instance that a body shop and an insurance company cannot agree on the terms of a repair bill. The consumer has a right to hire and appraiser who will work with the insurance company’s appraiser to come to an agreement. Two Insurance companies in Texas have submitted policies that OMIT the customer’s right to invoke their right appraisal. We are working to preserve this right for Texas consumers.
The Safe Auto Repair Bill, addresses many issues repairers face but mostly the need for reimbursement for following OEM procedures, and the safety of aftermarket parts. This is NOT an anti-aftermarket bill- we just want these parts to be safety tested and truly be of “like kind quality” as it pertains to fit, finish, function, and above all else- crashworthiness. The bill also addresses steering, database manipulation and the insurers’ disregard of repair operations or procedures outlined in the estimating system or Procedure Pages.
The need for the Texas mandatory Right to Appraisal for the insured has never been more critical than it is today. In the last several months, Progressive and Home State County Mutual Insurance have submitted policy change applications to the Texas Department of Insurance, requesting approval to remove the right to appraisal for repair procedure disputes from their policies. Many general agencies, such as Kemper, Aspen, and Direct General, write coverage under Home State County Mutual. Progressive and Home State County Mutual rescinded their application request this past week. (more…)
Dallas Lawyer Todd Tracy Publicly Thanks The Auto Body Association of Texas in a YouTube Video
Attorney Todd Tracy, the lawyer that represented the owners of a Honda Fit in the high-profile case in Dallas, TX, Applauds the Auto Body Association of Texas for it’s commitment to safety.
Mr. Tracy was a spotlight speaker at the Texas Auto Body Trade show speaking to attendees on how to avoid litigation. His full presentation will be available to members of ABAT later this year. Click here to Join now to be one of the first to see the presentation that gained a standing ovation at the show.
TEXAS 2017 Legislative Session Is Over – Looking Forward To 2018
HB 3804, a bill written for collision repairers to ensure a more safe repair for the consumer did not get to the final committee in Austin. This bill sponsored by Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches was moving through the legislative process and ran out of time for a vote. We will never know if our efforts would have passed this bill. Larry Cernosek, legislative board member of the Houston Auto Body Association and Burl Richards, President of the Auto Body Association of Texas worked hard with Representative Clardy to make this happen. We learned a lot this 2017 legislative session and we have a lot of work to do before the next.
The legislative process is something that will always be on the Auto Body Association of Texas agenda. We will actively address the issues that collision repairers are facing in today’s market. We have found that most Texas legislators are trying to do the right thing. We need to give them the tools to understand our complex industry.
AN OUTLINE FOR TEXAS COLLISION REPAIRERS TO CREATE LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS
- Texas Legislator Online
- Find Out Who Your State Representative Is
- Introduce Yourself
- Contribute to the campaign
- Offer to hold a fund raiser at your shop
- Offer to help with the campaign
- Put signs up in your yard – employees , if they agree
- Ask For A Meeting To Review This Industry
- Give Them A Shop Tour
- Discuss Insurer Relations, New Technology, Consumer Safety
- Give Them A Shop Tour
- When Legislation is Agreed Upon and Bill Written
- ABAT Will Furnish You a ‘One Pager’ Description Of The Bill
- ABAT Will Furnish Committee Information
- Find Out If Your Representative Is On The Committee
- Contact Representative in Support Of The Bill
- ABAT Will Give You Word Track
- Contact Your Representative Even If They Are Not On the Committee
- Ask For Their Support
- REPEAT THIS PROCESS – ASK YOUR EMPLOYEES – FRIENDS
- Find Out If Your Representative Is On The Committee
If you would like to discuss or have questions?
Please Contact Janet Chaney Cellular : 480-720-2565
email: [email protected]