Aftermarket Insider Issue 79 - (Page 26)

GoVERnMEnT AFFAiRS nhtsA news AAIA Lobbying Reduces Importer Burdens in NHTSA Reauthorization Most AAIA members are aware of the high-profile issues like Right to Repair in which AAIA has taken a leadership role. But sometimes not as visible are other issues that often arise in Congress that could impact AAIA members. A great example is S. 1449, legislation to reauthorize the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While S. 1449 was considered by the Senate Commerce Committee as a stand-alone bill, it eventually became part of a larger surface transportation bill that authorized funding for highway projects. Buried in the middle of S. 1449 were three provisions that, if enacted, would have placed significant burdens on aftermarket companies that import parts into the U.S., including: • Section 209 Financial Responsibility which stated, “(2) Refusal of During the early part of 2012, AAIA staff kept communications open with the Senate committee and also reached out to key staffers from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sharing concerns about the NHTSA reauthorization provisions. Admission - If the Secretary of Transportation believes that a person described in paragraph (1) has not provided and maintained evidence of sufficient financial responsibility to meet the obligations referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security may refuse the admission into the customs territory of the United States of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment imported by the person.” Ultimately, AAIA was concerned that this provision would lead to burdensome new NHTSA bonding requirements for companies that imported parts, a result that would unnecessarily raise costs for large manufacturers and could jeopardize the existence of small importers. • Section 210, Conditions on Importation of Vehicles and Equipment, would require importers to provide NHTSA with significant information on the product, its original manufacturer and each retailer or distributor to which the manufacturer directly supplied motor 26 | AFTERMARKET INSIDER | VOLUME 79 http://www.aftermarket.org/Government.aspx

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider Issue 79

Aftermarket Insider Issue 79
Contents
President’s Message
Campaign Update
Industry All-Stars
An Aapexceptional Event
Member Profile
Toolbox
Technology Update
Campaign Update
Head of the Class
Impact Award
Market Intelligence
Government Affairs
Inside Technology

Aftermarket Insider Issue 79