GRASSROOTS UPDATE

June 17, 2016

MAPA Members and Colleagues,

WE DID IT!

On Thursday, June 16^th Governor Rick Snyder vetoed HB 4344!  In a statement released by the Governor’s office, Snyder echoes several of the aftermarkets concerns with the bill saying “On its face, this policy [HB 4344] seems to be intended to protect consumers and ensure vehicles are safely repaired. That is a laudable goal. However, this bill … limits the use of safe, high-quality aftermarket parts designed specifically for particular vehicles.” 

The Governor also commented the bill would have "negatively affected market competition and driven up consumer costs for replacement parts on motor vehicles."  In his veto letter, Governor Snyder said he supported parts of HB 4344 but not those affecting which kinds of parts facilities could use on vehicles.

Rep. Peter Pettalia, (R-Presque Isle), the bill sponsor, said he doesn't blame the governor for the veto and does not plan to seek an override vote when the Legislature returns to a normal session schedule in September despite having had enough support to do so when the bill cleared the Legislature. "The parties that were involved became greedy and they were all asking for too much, so at the end of the day it's going to be status quo and nobody gets anything," Mr. Pettalia said. He said the bill originally sought to modernize mechanic certification and repair facility licenses, which have gone without changes for about 40 years. The bill had bounced between the House and Senate. He admitted he was not comfortable with it when it came back from the Senate, but made further revisions in the House and was comfortable with the language ultimately sent to the governor. "It will most likely come back and make a (secretary of state) fix and let it go," Mr. Pettalia told Gongwer News Service on June 16th.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL PRESS RELEASE

The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) was involved in the first ever “Michigan Automotive Aftermarket Industry Lobby Day” held on May 24^th at the State Capitol in Lansing to voice our opposition of HB 4344. Thank you to those who attended, it was an overwhelming success. Collectively, we met with 26 members of the Michigan House of Representatives to oppose HB 4344.  We got the bill off the calendar that week, and received a commitment from the bill sponsor (Rep. Peter Pettalia) that the Senate version would not pass the House. Your presence in Lansing made a huge difference!

MAPA was also represented in a June 6^th meeting with Dick Posthumus, Senior Advisor to the Governor, to ask Governor Snyder to veto HB 4344.  The former Lt. Governor is the head of Governor Snyder’s Legislative Affairs team who reviewed the bill before it was given to the Governor for his consideration.

This is a huge victory for the automotive aftermarket in Michigan!  This harmful legislation could not have been defeated without your help.  Together, we have shown the car companies that big money doesn’t always win.

Thank you all for responding to our “call to action” by participating in our grassroots and lobbying efforts. Your participation helped to protect our industry!