What We Can Expect in 2008
from the State House
Colorado auto dealers have been the target of several prospective legislative proposals that will intertwine among the healthcare, transportation and environment issues which will likely assume a good portion of the legislative agenda at the state capitol this year.
Among the bills affecting auto dealers, is a proposal by Rep. Alice Madden (D) of Boulder that requires the inclusion of an orange safety vest in all purchased vehicles. The purpose of the safety vest, according to Madden, is to provide increased safety through higher visibility of drivers and passengers that may find themselves in a situation of changing a tire or handling car maintenance in the dark hours along a highway or roadside.
In addition, Rep. Claire Levy (D) of Boulder is searching for a way to raise monies for assistance in planning for communities that promote less driving to residents that live in the area. To raise the funds, she is considering assessing an $80 fee for all newly purchased low MPG vehicles at the time they are licensed.
On a more positive note, the staff at CADA is looking at options to revise Colorado statutes as they relate to the Franchise act. We have visited with the manufacturer’s lobbyists and they are interested in our proposed language and have expressed hopes of being able to support our efforts or at a minimum, remain neutral.
Dovetailing into the franchise bill will be a bill title offered by Rep. Larry Liston (R) of Colorado Springs. His bill would allow manufacturers to provide, either by purchase or trade, Colorado auto dealers the ability to purchase automobiles that are currently offered outside of our state but not in the state of Colorado.
Sunday sales and the repeal of blue laws are being reviewed by the liquor lobby. The staff at CADA has worked with the liquor lobby to ensure tight bill titles that would NOT include auto dealers. We believe that auto dealers opening an extra day (Sundays) would present an economic disadvantage as expenses to dealerships would rise substantially by opening an additional day. In addition, the likelihood, of additional car sales, is slim compared to that of impromptu liquor sales. Your CADA staff has been in touch with the bill sponsor and our industry’s position is recognized with the sponsor as well as numerous legislators.
In addition, we expect to work in a unified manner with other lobbyists representing businesses to strengthen our business lobbying efforts. We plan to work in unison with the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry to monitor worker comp bills, right to work legislation, healthcare bills, environmental protection bills, and transportation bills, among others.
CADA staff is closely monitoring the steps taken regarding the Governor’s Climate Change Action Plan. We plan to present substantial data at upcoming RAQC (Regional Air Quality Commission) hearings. It is our understanding that hearings will take place prior to the Governor issuing an executive order to adopt CA-LEV standards in Colorado. We will be touting the benefits of a viable 50 state option by adhering to the federal EPA standards as an alternative option to CA-LEV.