This Week in Congress
The Senate will consider a bill that would provide additional transitional mental health and suicide prevention services for veterans. The Senate also will continue consideration of a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The House plans to take up legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act. The House also will consider a bill that would hold most independent regulatory agencies accountable for imposing unfunded mandates, and a bill that would require federal agencies to consider the potential economic impact of a proposed rule on small business and non-profits.
The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a Feb. 3 hearing on how changing energy markets will impact U.S. transportation.
The Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law of the House Judiciary Committee will hold a Feb. 4 hearing on the “Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2015” (H.R. 526). |
State and National Auto Care Groups Announce Industry Grassroots Network
The Auto Care Association, the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA) and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) announced on Feb. 2 the formation of the Auto Care Advocacy Network. The Network was formed to create a more comprehensive and systemized auto care industry response to legislative and regulatory initiatives in Washington, D.C. and in the states. Read more... |
Maine Department of Environmental Protection Delays CARB Converter Standards
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has delayed the June 1, 2015 implementation of new requirements for aftermarket catalytic converters (ACC). The announcement last week stated that the new implementation date for the rulemaking will be June 1, 2018. The Maine DEP’s planned adoption of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standard was originally delayed in August 2013, and re-scheduled for June 1, 2015. Read more... |
Administration Touts Passage of Trade Promotion Authority During Congressional Hearing
On Jan. 27, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman testified before the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee on the U.S. trade policy agenda for 2015. Both hearings revealed a significant level of bipartisan support for advancing the trade agenda, starting with renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Read more... |
Senate Committee Passes “Hire More Heroes” Measure that Keeps Veterans off ACA Employer Mandate Totals
The Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed the Hire More Heroes Act (H.R. 22) on Jan. 28. The legislation came over from the House where it passed unanimously on Jan. 6. H.R. 22 simply states that anyone with military or veteran’s healthcare shouldn't be counted toward the employer mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Read more... |
New Diesel Study Shows No Lung Damage on Animals
The Health Effects Institute (HEI), a Boston-based, non-profit research company, released a study on Jan. 27 showing that lifetime exposure to new technology diesel exhaust (NTDE) has not produced any evidence of carcinogenic lung tumors. HEI is funded equally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the global automobile manufacturing industry. Read more... |
|
| In This Issue |
|
| Quick Links |
|
|
| News Brief Links |
|
|
| State Legislation |
|
|
|
