The Small Business Administration (SBA) yesterday began accepting new loan applications under its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) after additional funding was approved by the U.S. Congress last week. In a joint statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza, said, ““The PPP has supported more than 1.66 million small businesses and […]
Virginia Governor Signs Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Legislation
The Automotive Service Association reports that after efforts earlier this year to eliminate the state’s motor vehicle safety inspection program, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) has signed a bill that keeps safety inspection programs in place in the state. House Bill (HB) 1414 states, “Motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers required to be inspected pursuant to […]
House Approves Additional $320 Billion for Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved additional funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) portion of the CARES Act that provides low interest loans for small businesses that can be forgiven if the business uses 75% of the funds for payroll. The House vote follows the passage in the […]
U.S. Senate Passes $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package
U.S. House of Representatives expected to consider proposal Friday that provides support for individuals and small businesses. The U.S. Senate has passed the third Coronavirus stimulus package, H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES Act). According to the Automotive Service Association (ASA), after extensive negotiations with the Administration, the package includes […]
Federal Law in Response to Coronavirus Expands Paid Sick and Family Leave Eligibility for Employees
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, signed by President Trump on Wednesday in response to the coronavirus crisis, expands requirements for small businesses to provide paid sick and family leave, expands unemployment benefits and offers free coronavirus testing. According to an article in today’s National Law Review, the new law extends and expands […]
Maryland Collision Repair Parts Bill Withdrawn
Legislation sought to define OEM, certified and non-certified part types and require written consent indicating parts choice. A bill before the Maryland legislature that sought to add a section to the Maryland Statutes to define the different types of crash parts used to repair a vehicle and require written consent from the insured to the […]
Oklahoma Bill Would Require Collision Repair Facilities to Follow Storage Rate Limits
Legislation that passed Senate would add repair facilities to existing regulations on maximum storage fee limits. Legislation introduced in Oklahoma would require collision repair facilities to follow the maximum charge limits that currently only apply to towing businesses in the state. Oklahoma Senate Bill 1314 (SB 1314), that was introduced on January 13 and amended […]
OEM Collision Repair Procedures Legislation Introduced in Illinois
Bill would require insurers to base claim payments on, and collision repairers to use, vehicle manufacturer compliant repair procedures. Excludes OEM parts mandates, but requires use of like, kind and quality. Legislation introduced February 13 in Illinois, the fourth largest collision repair market in the U.S., seeks to require both auto insurance companies and collision […]
OEM Collision Repair Procedures Bill Passes Committee Vote in Washington State
Legislation would require insurers pay for reasonable repair costs including vehicle manufacturer repair procedures. Proposed legislation in Washington State would require changes to auto insurers’ policy language, require insurers to pay for reasonable and necessary costs for repair including OEM procedures, and place the burden of proof that repair procedures are not necessary on the […]
Maryland Bill Would Provide an Insured Option of Requiring OEM, Certified or Non-Certified Collision Repair Parts
Legislation defines parts types and requires written consent indicating parts choice. Legislation introduced in the Maryland House of Representatives on February 7 seeks to add a section to the Maryland Statutes that define the different types of crash parts used to repair a vehicle and requires written consent from the insured to the use of […]