Legislation

To make changes to the law, it’s important to get in touch with your local lawmakers. You should tell them how a new law would impact you, the people who buy from you, the people who work for you, and the place you live. Call them often because they will listen to what their voters have to say.

Act Now! 📢 This is a critical moment and your voice is needed more than ever! Engage directly with your representatives – explore Find Your Legislator this instant and reach out without delay! Your involvement can make a real difference! Do not wait – your participation is pivotal. 🌟

Your OKABA Legislative Committee is working hard right now (Jan – June 2024) to ask for these bills to be amended (SB1741) and/or rewritten (SB1853). SB1741 will now proceed to a Senate Vote of 48…we need 25 to understand that this is not in the best interest of the consumer and can cause delays in payouts of total loss charges and to VOTE NO!! SB1853 will present itself again, likely under a different title or added in with another bill. Keep an eye on this one as it may sneak back in to play at any time. MARCH 2024

Senator Paxton has agreed to “strike title” on SB1741. It will pass, but cannot become a bill until it has beed revised. He has agreed to meet with OKABA members and insurance representatives to see if we can come to some agreement that still protects the consumer and is fair to shops and insurance companies. This is a positive step. If an agreement cannot be reached, then we still reserve the right to lobby against it, so stay tuned…

APRIL 2024

We met with Senator Paxton and insurance representatives regarding SB1741. We expressed our concerns that if total loss vehicles are not being processed in a timely manner with current storage rates, and the rates in SB1741 which are at least 1/3 less than the state average are imposed, it will only extend the amount of time until consumers are reimbursed. OKABA Legislative board consensus does not believe we came to an agreement and therefore we will continue to VOTE NO on SB1741. Even if you already sent it to your legislators, please send it again as this bill is still in play.

JUNE 2024

Legislation committee update: the legislature has finished their session. We built some good relationships with some representatives and senators as well as other trade organizations and lobbyists. We were successful in helping kill the two bills that would have affected every shop. SB-1853 and SB-1741 were bills that could have been detrimental to small businesses and impeded our “Free Market”. We need to keep in mind that we as an industry are a target for some. Our best defense is a good offense. We need to continue to build relationships with reps and senators during the off season. Please vote today if you haven’t yet!!! 

AUGUST 2024 📢 Breaking News!! 🌟

We are excited for this small step to be accomplished. Check out the new Rule Change that states: “insurer shall conduct a market survey of the prices charged for repairs performed in accordance with manufacturing standards by repair facilities within the CBSA the facility performing the repairs is located within or is nearest to. A competitive price shall be an amount equal to or greater than the mean of all of the prices provided to the insurer by repair facilities within the CBSA that are capable of making the repairs in accordance with the applicable manufacturing standards.” and “Upon request by the Department, insurers shall provide copies of the market surveys and all related documentation to the Department within twenty (20) days.” Read the full bulletin.

You can sign up for an account and track these bills using the LENS system through the state.