Lawmakers across the US are paying attention to the issues surrounding surround salvage vehicle purchasing and scrap metal industry, and are taking steps to make it more difficult for these salvage vehicles to fall into the wrong hands. During the 2012 legislative season both Utah and Florida have recently passed legislation, moves that have been praised by the states' industry groups.
Utah
The Utah Auto Recyclers Association praised the Utah state legislature for passing SB 260, a bill that restricts auto salvage auctions to those with valid Utah business and sales tax licenses. That legislation also aids law enforcement by requiring reporting to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division.
“By limiting access to qualified buyers (i.e. licensed recyclers and dismantlers) lawmakers are able to preserve jobs in their home states and to ensure these vehicles are handled in a way that protects the environment,” said Utah recycler and UARA member Chris Mantas. Mantas added: “The issues involving auto recycling are often complicated, so it’s wonderful to see lawmakers all across the country considering the issues carefully and making responsible decisions that promote safety and best serve their constituents’ needs.”
Florida
Florida H.B. 885, was designed to combat metal thieves by tracking sales and making selling scrap more difficult. Amendments to the bill, which passed unanimously, ensure the practice of issuing certificates of destruction for vehicles that sustain 80 percent damage continues. This is critical, says the the Florida Automotive Dismantlers and Recyclers Association, because it prevents heavily damaged automobiles from being branded as “repairable” and being put back into service or sold to unsuspecting buyers.
“FADRA congratulates the Florida House and the Florida Senate for taking an important step to protect the motoring public,” said FADRA President Rachel Rigsby. “Lives are literally on the line whenever structurally compromised vehicles are cosmetically repaired and then allowed to return to the streets. Florida lawmakers recognized the grave risks of altering the current laws, they decided to keep important regulations in place, and they should be commended for doing the right thing and putting consumer safety first.”
Read more:
Bills tackling auto salvage fraud passed in Florida, Utah
Utah Automotive Recyclers Association: Lawmakers Nationwide Recognize the Dangers of Failing to Restrict Auto Salvage Pools to Qualified Buyers
FADRA Praises Amendments to Florida Law That Will Help Prevent Dangerous Total Loss Vehicles from Being Returned to the Roads
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