June 2, 2014
This Week in Congress
     Floor Schedule: The House is not in session this week. The Senate plans to take up legislation that would make it easier to dismiss Veterans Affairs Department personnel for misconduct. The Senate also may consider a bill that would open up federal wilderness areas for recreational hunting and fishing and make conservation funds available for recreational public access projects.  Read more...

Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of 134a from China
     On May 22, the Commerce Department announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the dumping phase of the investigation on 134a imports from China (the preliminary determination in the subsidy phase was announced in April).  Read more...

Auto Care Association Files Complaint with FTC Regarding Kia Oil Filter Bulletin
     The Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Tire Industry Association joined forces to call on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take immediate action to have Kia withdraw a technical bulletin warning consumers not to use non-OEM filters, which is clearly a violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA).  Read more...

Auto Care Association Joins Coalition in Urging Swift Resolution to West Coast Port Labor Negotiations
     Earlier this month, the Auto Care Association joined a coalition of 67 groups representing manufacturers, farmers, retailers and transportation providers urging the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to wrap up negotiations over a new West Coast longshore labor contract before the old pact expires at midnight on June 30.  Read more...

LIFO Congressional Champions Send Letter to Ways and Means Chairman
     The Last In First Out (LIFO) inventory accounting method received a very strong show of support when Rep. Frank Lankford, R-Okla. and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., sent a letter on May 29 to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., asking him to reconsider his proposed repeal of the LIFO tax provision.  Read more...

WTO Sides with U.S. in Dispute Over China Auto AD/CVD Duties
     A World Trade Organization panel report released on May 23 faulted now-removed Chinese trade remedy duties on imports of certain U.S. automobiles on three key counts: procedural transparency, the injury determination and the calculation of the duties imposed on companies that were not directly investigated in the cases. China removed the duties, which ranged from 2 percent to 21.5 percent, on Dec. 13, 2013, after the panel heard the case but before it issued the interim report.  Read more...

Safety Agency Offering Training for Recall Reporting Portal to Manufacturers
     Beginning in August 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) companies will be required to report recalls over a web based portal. Companies selling vehicles, tires, child restraints and other vehicle equipment will be impacted by the new requirement. In order to ensure a smooth transition and proper compliance, the agency is offering 20 training sessions for various groups of manufacturers and the public.  Read more...

Eight States Form Coalition to Push Zero Emissions Vehicle Sales
     On May 29, a group of eight states announced they have formed a coalition to push for an increase in zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) sales to 3.3 million by 2025 or roughly 1 percent of the overall total vehicle population. The states -- California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont -- will lobby for incentives that entice consumers to buy ZEVs including battery operated, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel-call vehicles.  Read more...

New Blog Post: Educating Consumers on Their New Car Warranty Rights
     The Auto Care Association government affairs team publishes a blog to offer some additional insight into what is happening in Washington, D.C., the states and internationally, and how that relates to the auto care industry. Read our most recent post here: http://tiny.cc/blog060214  Read more...

 
Auto Care Association | 7101 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1300  |  Bethesda, MD 20814