AASP-PA and Legislation
About AASP-PA's Participation in PA's Legislation
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is (slowly) returning to begin its 2024 legislative session.
Pennsylvania has two-year sessions.
That means bills introduced last year (if not acted on) carry into this year.
Note: 2024 is an election year, with the whole State House and half the State Senate on the ballot.
There are two proposals AASP-PA continues to have on its radar screen.
1 SB 561-Emissions Inspection Reform
This bill would exempt vehicles from the emissions testing requirement for the first five years after the date of manufacture.
The bill has passed the State Senate and is currently in the House Transportation Committee.
Although this bill has passed the Senate in previous sessions, it heretofore has died in the House. This generally has been because EPA would restate its opposition to such a change, and rattle the sword of threatening to cut federal highway funds to the state.
This bill is a top priority of Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-Cambria) , Chair of the powerful Senate Transportation Committee.
This time around, the House seems more inclined to discuss the issue.
Key to this issue will be how Penndot and DEP will react if this bill proceeds to be negotiated. In the past, the Administration has opposed this type of change due to the requirements of federal law.
2.Safety Inspection Program Repeal
Last year, Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna) filed a co-sponsorship memo indicating he would introduce a bill that would eliminate the annual safety inspection requirement. Flynn, minority Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, has not yet actually introduced this bill. But reports are that he still has the issue as his priority.
The proposal (according to the memo) would eliminate the inspection requirement to times when vehicle changed ownership.
AASP-PA has continued to voice its concerns regarding these proposals. As time goes on this session , we will make our members aware of the appropriate time to contact their legislators on these issues.
John V Kulik
AASP-PA Lobbyist
AASP-PA has been working hard in the Pennsylvania Senate to pass a garageman’s lien bill.
Senate Bill 894 would create a legal process in Pennsylvania for shops to recover the costs of labor, parts and storage in cases when customers do not pay for work completed.
The bill would create a system fair to our small businesses and customers alike.
The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee
We need shops to contact their State Senators to ask them to support the consideration and passage of the bill.
Contact your Senator today.
Click Here to find your legislator
In your message say :
“The automotive service industry needs a legal process to recover labor, parts and storage costs for completed repairs in cases that customers don’t pay.
This process also would result of the orderly removal of vehicles from the repair facilities property.
Please support the passage of SB 894 which is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. “
Please let us know when you have sent your message and whatever answer you receive by emailing
John Kulik (AASP-PA lobbyist ) at joviku@aol.com
