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Letter to the Editor
Friday March 14
Texas House Bill 1131 Sponsorship Increases to 67
Texas House Bill 1131, sponsored by Reps. Kino Flores, D-Mission; Kenny Marchant, R-Carrollton; Joe Driver, R-Dallas; Allan Ritter, D-Nederland; and Rick Hardcastle, R-Vernon, has gained 62 new co-sponsors. This brings the total number of co-sponsors to 67. The bill will make it illegal for an insurance company to have any ownership interest in an auto body repair facility.The legislation passed the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee by a unanimous vote of 7-0 on March 6. A hearing is scheduled for the companion Senate Bill 435 in the Business and Commerce Committee for the week of March 17.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports H.B. 1131 and S. 435.
Bill Haas, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) vice president of divisions, education and training, testifying at the March 6 hearing, said, "ASA is not opposed to direct repair programs, but when insurance companies move into the ownership of shops, the consumer loses. Keeping repair costs low has been the central focus of repair policy in the last few years."
Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative said, "We are very pleased with the outcome of the hearing and of the additions to the co-sponsor list. Policymakers continue to grow weary of consumers losing their rights in dealing with insurers.
"We believe this piece of legislation protects the quality of the repair and the consumers' right to choose in the repair marketplace," Redding said.
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