Legislation has been introduced in the Maryland state legislature on tire aging. The bill would require manufacturers or distributors when selling tires for passenger cars, multipurpose vehicles (SUV's, crossovers) and motorcycles (Class A, D and M) to:

• Affix on all tires a label stating the date of manufacture
• A statement on tire aging (which would spell out that NHTSA recommends that tires be replaced after 6 years regardless of the remaining tread depth, even though NHTSA has never stated this)
• Provide the purchaser a receipt or invoice stating the date of manufacture
• Consumers to sign a disclosure statement
• Retailers to give a copy of the disclosure statement to the consumer
• Retailers to keep a copy of the signed disclaimer.
• Retailers who violate ANY provision of the new law would be subject to a $500 fine for each infraction.

The bill was introduced in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. The House bill (HB729) was introduced with 22 cosponsors and will be heard Tuesday, February 21 in the House Economic Matters Committee.

What can you do to protect your company from such outrageous and unnecessary legislation and huge fines for the smallest mistake?

 

Come meet us at the Lowes Hotel in Annapolis (126 West Street, Annapolis, MD) at 11:30am, this Tuesday, February 21 and if possible, wear your company shirt, jacket, hat or uniform.

Your Tire Industry Association (TIA) will provide lunch while TIA's Executive Vice President Dr. Roy Littlefield provides information on this outrageous and unnecessary government regulation and how all of us, together can stop it.

 

Then, we will take the short walk to the Maryland House Office building to the hearing room to attend the committee meeting so the delegates can see how concerned we are with this unnecessary burden that does nothing to protect our customers or help our businesses during this economic recovery.

The Tire Industry Association, along with other groups will be providing witness testimony to the committee, but we need you there to show our strength to the delegates.

 

Please reply to this email or call Wilson Beach, TIA Director of Membership at 800-876-8372 ext. 103 or email him at  wbeach@tireindustry.org to let him know that you oppose this outrageous proposal and let him know if you are able to attend the luncheon and hearing.  

 

Please pass this email along to any member of the automotive repair industry in Maryland and encourage them to come join us in Annapolis to protect their business.

 

This is the most important expenditure of time this year in protecting your business from government intrusion.