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ASCCA Board Member Tracy Renee and I attended the BAR Advisory Committee yesterday in Sacramento. Below is a short summary of the meeting.
1) Opening Remarks. Brian Stiger, Acting Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, provided an short update on DCA, including budget cuts, etc. Bureau Chief Sherry Mehl made some brief comments about BAR's latest activities.
2) Enforcement Update. Kristin Triepke provided updates on the Industry surveys.... which is the feedback from shops on how well BAR performed while handling a consumer complaint. A high percentage of survey responses indicated that the BAR reps have been courteous, handled the complaint in a fair and reasonable manner, and explained laws. The survey results are on the BAR website. The Unlicensed Cite and Fine regulation is moving through the process and hopefully will be approved by the Office of Administrative Law by the end of 2011 or early 2012. BAR has been very active in going after unlicensed repair dealers, including mobile operators that have been located under Craigs' list, etc.... There has been media publicity. BAR will continue unlicensed sting operations.
3) Repair Assistance Restructure. Discussion of the revised diagnostic manual (July 2011) and update of the CAP program including the retirement program, participation and budget for the CAP programs. CAP changes include payment up to 1.5 times station's posted labor rate for diagnosing and testing CAP vehicles. All changes should be on the BAR website.
4) AB 2289 Implementation. Pat Dorias provided a detailed update on all AB 2289 efforts, including STAR regulations, Licensing restructuring, and AB 2289 penalties. AB 2289 requires that BAR provide the Legislature with an annual report of its efforts to implement AB 2289.
5) Cal VIS Project Update. Pat Dorias also provided a detailed overview of the Cal-VIS project which is the new OBD equipment requirement for the Smog Program. Formerly called BAR 2010, then BAR 2012, it is now known as Cal-VIS (California Vehicle Inspection Systems). BAR, with assistance from a vendor, proposes to acquire an OBD Data Acquisition Device (DAD) that will be integrated with commercial, off-the-shelf equipment components to create an OBD Inspection System. The OBD Inspection System will communicate with an enhanced NGET system (database). The materials and detailed information is also on the BAR website. You will be hearing much more about the Cal-VIS project as BAR moves forward.
6) Legislative/Regulatory update including SB 869 (Airbags) and SB 211 (Tire Check and Inflate), as well as the Brake Service regulation, which is being reviewed by DCA. ASCCA has been pushing DCA to complete the review as quickly as possible and will continue to do so.
7) BAR is updating its Write it Right Booklet and is circulating a draft.
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