Automotive Recyclers Commend Ohio Legislators' Decision to Adjourn Without Casting a Vote on SB 273

MANASSAS, VA, December 13, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) and the Ohio Auto and Truck Recyclers Association (OATRA) are commending leaders in the Ohio House of Representatives today, as the 2012 legislative session adjourns and lawmakers leave Columbus without taking further action on Senate Bill 273. The organizations have been engaged in an extensive advocacy effort to defeat SB 273, a controversial piece of legislation which would enable unlicensed and unregulated in-state and out-of-state buyers to purchase vehicles from Ohio salvage auctions.

Several times in recent weeks representatives from ARA and OATRA, along with local professional Ohio auto recyclers, have appeared before the House Insurance Committee to detail how Senate Bill 273 would seriously harm the automotive recycling industry in Ohio as well as abolish protections that the Ohio State Legislature has provided its citizens for over 30 years. "Just a few weeks ago, it looked like SB 273 could pass out of the Insurance Committee and go before the full House of Representatives for a vote. Because of dedicated grassroots efforts on the part of Ohio automotive recyclers to educate our representatives about the legitimate risks associated with this bill, that did not happen," said OATRA President, Jim McKinney. "We believe the legislators recognized the tremendous economic and environmental value of the nearly 700 automotive recycling businesses in Ohio, many of which are third and fourth generation establishments."

The defeat of Senate Bill 273 represents a positive accomplishment not only for licensed automotive recyclers in Ohio, but for automotive recyclers nationwide. Professional automotive recyclers are the only individuals with the appropriate qualifications, safety and environmental expertise, and experience in reporting to state and federal regulatory agencies that are necessary to responsibly process salvage-titled vehicles. ARA and OATRA built a case for their position throughout the year as SB 273 moved through the deliberative committee process.

ARA CEO, Michael Wilson, said in response to the bill's defeat, "We appreciate that the Insurance Committee has devoted several hours to hearing from proponents and opponents of SB 273 and respectively listened to our many members who personally contacted them. The real-life implications of this bill for all stakeholders are so far-reaching, Chairman Hottinger and leaders in the General Assembly demonstrated true statesmanship in recognizing that more time was needed to consider the many complex issues and participants involved in the processing of salvage vehicles."

ARA and OATRA will continue to build on their developing relationships with Ohio's lawmakers and their staff in the coming weeks to help identify ways in which state elected officials can ensure adequate business practices that protect consumers and the environment. ARA and OATRA have particular "standing" on this issue because they represent professional automotive recyclers in Ohio and nationwide who provide consumers with quality, environmentally friendly, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts.

Wilson also expressed appreciation to the professional recyclers and industry colleagues outside of Ohio who provided support on this initiative, stating, "I would like to thank ARA leadership, our state affiliate chapters, and Regional Directors for their support in opposing SB 273. Letters of opposition to this bill were sent in from across the country as ARA members in other states joined forces with their colleagues in Ohio."

Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association ("ARA") represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of "green" automotive parts, and the recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents over 4,500 automotive recycling facilities through memberships in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR) and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a "greener" tomorrow.

Website: http://www.a-r-a.org