"As usual, our members were very prepared to talk to their legislators about important issues in the collision repair industry," CAA Executive Director David McClune said.  "We laid out the issues and asked our legislators to help us reinforce our message."

CAA members lobbied hard on four major bills, including three they support and one they oppose, McClune said.

"We support SB 1059, which would prohibit an insurer from requiring the installation of an aftermarket crash part on a consumer's car if that vehicle is less than 5 years old," he said. 

"We also support SB 1371, which we sponsored.  It makes it illegal for insurers to cap or limit paint and related material charges.  And we also support SB 1167, a bill that clarifies and strengthens existing anti-steering laws by providing consumers with a meaningful choice."

CAA opposes AB 2825, a bill that requires autobody shops to certify with an additional signature that the crash parts identified on the estimate and the invoice were actually installed on the vehicle, McClune said.

McClune said CAA members were able to call on more than 40 legislators and staff concerning each of the bills.

 
"Our members had an excellent opportunity to educate their legislators on the collision industry and how each one of these proposed bills will have an affect on shops and consumers," he said. 

  
"Shops should be calling on their legislators either in Sacramento or their districts to keep them updated on the collision industry," CAA Past President Dave Mello said. 

"The CAA has been very successful in our approach to the legislators.

This kind of grassroots lobbying is one of the ways we can make positive changes for our industry."