"CAWA members met at the state Capitol with legislators and staff to highlight the positive role the aftermarket plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the aftermarket industry as a viable, competitive, and strongly desired choice for consumers in parts purchasing and auto repair and maintenance," he said.

CAWA members held private meetings with targeted legislators, including Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello; Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo; and the staffs of Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego; Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced; and Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach.  They also held briefings with the staffs of the Senate and Assembly Business Professions & Economic Development Committees, and the Senate Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee.

A number of legislative proposals have been introduced in 2008 that threaten the aftermarket, particularly SB 1059; a bill that would prohibit the installation of aftermarket parts on a vehicle, Pierini said.

"CAWA members lobbied in opposition to this measure, citing that in many cases, aftermarket parts are manufactured by the same companies that manufacture the car company parts and that the only difference is the box and the price of the part," he said. 

 
"Having a legislative presence in Sacramento is critical to protecting the automotive aftermarket industry," Pierini said. "It is for reasons like SB 1059 that CAWA continues to hold legislative events in Sacramento not only to educate legislators about our industry but to fight back illogical and discriminatory measures like this one.

"CAWA remains committed to a strong government affairs presence in Sacramento because if we are not watching out and fighting against these measures for the industry, who is?" he said.