H-0820.1                  _______________________________________________

 

                                       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4405

                              _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

 

By Representative G. Cole

 

Read first time 01/27/93.  Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

 

Creating a task force on automobile repair industry regulation.


          WHEREAS, Consumer complaints about automobile repair ranks as the second most frequent category of complaint received by the fair practices division of the Washington state office of the attorney general; and

          WHEREAS, The national association of attorneys general has identified automobile repair as an issue to study for possible model state legislation by 1994; and

          WHEREAS, Many representatives of the automobile repair industry are concerned about the lack of a consistent level of competency and professionalism in the industry; and

          WHEREAS, Unprofessional or dishonest auto repair shops can cause consumers great financial hardship and inconvenience;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, the Senate concurring, That a legislative task force on automobile repair industry regulation be established to examine:  (1) The need for changes in state regulation of the automobile repair industry; (2) if changes are needed, whether the regulation should include some form of state licensing or certification; (3) the anticipated model legislation to be proposed by the national association of attorneys general; and (4) the need for state-specific legislation to coincide with the anticipated model legislation; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force consist of eight members:  Two members from each caucus of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; at least one member from each caucus shall be a member of the Senate committee on labor and commerce; and two members from each caucus of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; at least one member from each caucus shall be a member of the House of Representatives committee on commerce and labor.  In addition, the Washington state office of the attorney general, the department of licensing, and the Governor's office shall cooperate with the task force and maintain a liaison representative, who shall be a nonvoting member.  The task force shall choose its chair and vice-chair from among its membership; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector or ask such persons to establish an advisory committee; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall use legislative staff and facilities.  All expenses of the task force, including travel, shall be paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 1994; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall expire July 1, 1994.

 


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