ASCCA - What You Need to Know

May 25, 2020

Thank you to our Corporate Partners!

ASCCA's COVID-19 Resource Page

Wishing You a Peaceful and Blessed Memorial Day!

May 25, 2020

Remembering ASCCA Past President Robert “Bob” Constant

Robert Edward Constant passed away January 20, 2020 in Seaside, CA, his home for the last 33 years, after a brief fight with an aggressive form of lung cancer. Bob was born July 11, 1947 in Kingston, NY to Leroy Monroe and Alberta Fleming. Bob was later adopted by LeRoy A. Constant. Bob is survived by his wife, Noriko, their sons, Andrew (Daisy Constant-Yang) and Allen, and four grandchildren. He is also survived by eight siblings, Carl Constant, Richard Constant, Eric Constant, Douglas Constant, Andrew Constant, Martha Butcher, Charlotte Gazlay, and Alice Constant.

Bob served in the U. S. Army from 1965 until he retired at Fort Ord, CA in 1990. During his service in Japan, he met his future wife. He also spent time in Vietnam and Panama, and posts in Georgia and California.

After retiring, Bob and Noriko owned and operated Forest Hill Auto Service in Pacific Grove, CA from 1989 to 2008. Bob served as state Director and President of the Automotive Service Councils of California. He also served as Chairman of Government Affairs for ASCCA. In that role, he was a member of the Advisory Group of the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Bob was also a member of the Automotive Service Association, serving at the national level on the Mechanical Operations Committee. Locally, he was a member of the ROP Advisory Panel of Monterey Peninsula College.

Upon his second retirement, Bob continued to volunteer with various groups and organizations, including the City of Seaside Parks and Recreation Department. A particular passion of Bob was his service at the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp, where he was an active participant on the Maintenance Committee, known as the Camp Pico Blanco Beavers.

If you're interested in donating to the Boy Scouts of America on behalf of Robert "Bob" Constant, please click the link below:

Donate

Governor and California Legislature

Last week Governor Newsom released his revisions to the $203 billion state budget that fills a $54 billion gap caused by the coronavirus induced economic downturn. The revised budget includes cuts to many state programs including a 10% cut to state employee salaries and transfers special funds to the general fund. The legislature has until June 15 to pass a balanced budget. The legislature continues to conduct hearings on bills that were recently amended to address the coronavirus pandemic. Will continue to monitor closely and report as developments occur.

Legislation

AB 196 - Workers Compensation - Coronavirus - Oppose. Several bills have been introduced (AB 196 & AB 664) to address coronavirus and workers compensation. Current law provides that essential workers who contract the coronavirus must prove they were infected on the job to qualify for workers comp. These bills would increase workers comp costs for employers by "conclusively" presuming that contraction of coronavirus by all essential employees is a workplace injury. The Governor issued an Executive Order which created a "rebuttable presumption" that any essential workers infected with the virus contracted on the job. Status: AB 196 and AB 664 Pending.

AB 3216 - Expanding Paid Sick Leave - Coronavirus - Oppose. California law now requires 24 hours or 3 days of paid sick days for all employees. AB 3216 would, among other things, require all employers to provide employees with at least 80 hours or 10 days of paid sick leave for any specified purpose related to a "state of emergency". Status: Pending.

AB 1107 - Unemployment Tax Increase - Oppose. AB 1107 significantly raises employer payroll taxes to fund increase in unemployment benefits. Status: Pending.

AB 2454 - Trusted Dealer Certification Program. Concerns. This bill, among other things, would establish the "Trusted Dealer Certification" program. The program requires BAR to develop regulations to implement. Assembly member Low's office is expected to make a presentation at the July 16, 2020 BAR Advisory Group meeting. Status: AB 2454 Pending.

AB 2419 - Capping Storage Fees Concerns. AB 2419 is currently a "spot bill" sponsored by the insurers dealing with the towing industry, however, we believe that it will be amended at some point to limit or "cap" automotive repair dealers storage rates based on CHP contracted rates. Current law (effective 2018) allows auto repair dealers to charge reasonable storage rate based on comparable storage rate charged by other facilities in the same local. Status: Pending.

SB 1129 - PAGA Reform. The Private Attorney's General Act (PAGA) authorizes aggrieved employees to file lawsuits against employers for labor code violations. This bill will make the following changes: 1) fixes exiting law that provides employers with limited "right to cure" for technical pay stub violations ; and 2) provides that a violation in which employees do not suffer any actual economic or physical harm, the total aggregate penalty is no more than $5,000. Status: Pending.

AB 2225 & AB 1972 Smog Check; Exemption - Historic Vehicles. This bill exempts motor vehicles that are operated primarily for purposes of historic exhibitions or other similar purpose from smog check program. AB 1972 would exempt all collector motor vehicle from smog check program. Status: Pending.

AB 1343 & AB 1345 - Private Post Secondary Education. These bills are part of a bill package targeting bad actors in the Private Post Secondary Education. These bills need to be amended to address concerns, otherwise they will negatively impact good performing schools including Universal Technical Institute (UTI). Status: Pending.

Vehicle Safety Inspection Program. Legislation is being considered to combine and expand the current BAR brake and lamp program to include additional vehicle safety components such as glass, air bags, etc. Status: Pending.

Regulations

BAR Cite and Fine Regulations. BAR has created an internal Task Force to review expanding the "cite and fine" disciplinary process. Currently, cite and fine is used for smog violations and unlicensed activity. Expanding cite and fine authority to apply to all ARD's would provide BAR field representatives with the ability to issue citations and fines (up to $5,000 per violation) for violations. BAR is considering issuing cite and fines for the following areas: gross negligence, false advertising, trade standards, failing to produce records, towing kickbacks and false and misleading records. Concerns have been raised by the industry. BAR is expected to make a presentation at the July 16, 2020 BAR Advisory Group meeting in Sacramento.

New DAD Smog Check Equipment Requirements. BAR is moving on new regulations which, among other things, will require smog stations using the DAD to obtain additional equipment, namely: 1) an external web camera and 2) Palm vein reader (scanner). The estimated cost for this new equipment is approximately $500. The BAR plans on providing regulatory language to the public after the BAR Advisory Committee meeting which is scheduled on July 16, 2020.

Website Launch: NASTF Details What to Expect During Phase One

In early June, the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) will be launching the first phase of its new website rollout. The biggest changes involve site navigation, accessibility, and overall aesthetic design. Details below:

Navigation: Users will be able to navigate by brand rather than type of information. All of a manufacturer’s information will be displayed on a single page.
Accessibility: The NASTF site will be compatible with phones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
Design: The site will feature simplified designs and modernized navigation.

NASTF’s Executive Officer, Donny Seyfer, explains, “This is next generation NASTF. We are streamlining our process while customizing user experience. Phase one will be the tip of the iceberg in terms of functionality. We’re taking things slow because we want to get it right, but we are very excited to share everything we’ve been working on with our members.”

The National Automotive Service Task Force is a not-for-profit organization established to facilitate the identification and correction of gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, service training, diagnostic tools and equipment, and communications for the benefit of independent automotive service professionals.

Online Training Opportunities

May 26th, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (PST):

Worldpac Webinar: BMW High Voltage - Part 1 of 3 | Register

May 26th, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST):

ESi Webinar - Simple SOP's | Register

May 27th, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (PST):

Worldpac Webinar: BMW High Voltage - Part 2 of 3 | Register

May 27th, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST):

ESi Webinar - Amazing Women in Automotive Round Table | Register

May 27th, 2020 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PST):

Worldpac Webinar: BMW/Bosch Diesel SCR Diagnostic Procedures | Register

May 28th, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (PST): Worldpac Webinar: BMW High Voltage - Part 3 of 3 | Register

May 29th, 2020 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PST): Worldpac Webinar: Good C.O.P. / Bad C.O.P. - Advanced Ignition Diagnostics | Register

June 2nd, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST): ESi Webinar - Close One More Sale a Day | Register

June 3rd, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST): ESi Webinar - Amazing Women in Automotive Round Table | Register

June 10th, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST): ESi Webinar - Amazing Women in Automotive Round Table | Register

(New Dates!) Mobilize CA Summit 2020 in Temecula - October 8-10

The Mobilize California Summit is the region's premier fleet modernization, alternative fuels, and workforce training event - where industry and education intersect to collaborate on existing and emerging technologies, trends and training tactics.

Mobilize California Summit offers information-packed sessions, prominent national and regional speakers, and the latest technologies. This event is where industry and academic leaders move the needle on curriculum development, workforce training, and the future of clean transportation.

Click here to read more and register.

ASCCA Member of the Month: Niko Sougias

May 2020

This month we are featuring Niko Sougias, owner of Charlie's Foreign Car Service in Encinitas, CA. Niko serves on the Connected Cars Committee, which is an important group that helps support all ASCCA members.

Niko is also very active on social media, as he regularly posts many helpful, educational videos about cars and car maintenance. You can see Niko and his team at Charlie's Foreign Car .

Upcoming ASCCA Chapter Meetings

Some chapters are holding virtual meetings.

Please see your chapter leader for details.

Featured Remarkable Results Podcast: Technician Shortage Solution – College Apprentice Program

In this episode, hear from three students (Israel Salazar, Bridgette Johnson and Mario Eason) discuss what it's like working in the IGONC Program in North Caroline where they are getting free post-secondary tuition, free mentoring and support, and are able to earn a decent wage.