Greetings!
Welcome to the latest installment of IADA's e-news, containing timely updates, information, announcements and reminders. We welcome your suggestions and contributions. For further information and updates regarding the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association please visit our website at www.idahoada.org.
Thank you,
IADA Staff- |
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Seminar Cancelled!
The March 11th Class presented by the Gillrie Institute has been
re-scheduled for May.
Please contact Coleene Sutton IADA Events Coordinator if you have further questions or concerns. csutton@idahoada.org
CLICK HERE to read more about the Gillrie Institute and how they can work with you to cut your technology costs!
Log on to the IADA website; www.idahoada.org/events for specific class dates and information. The registration forms can also be accessed online.
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ECONOMY WATCH
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
CLICK HERE for a summary of Vehicle Tax Deductions for New Car Purchasers.
CLICK HERE for an overview of the major tax provisions for your review and dealership business.
Advertising: A note of caution on advertising: dealerships are prohibited under Idaho law from advertising that they will pay any tax on behalf of consumers.
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AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AT A GLANCE
Listed here are several articles pertaining to the auto industry that appeared recently in newspapers and other media outlets across the nation.
IADA forwards news articles and opinion columns of interest through THE TRAFFIC REPORT to inform members of current events. These in no way reflect the views, opinions, and/or positions of IADA or its member dealers. They are sent for informational and educational purposes only.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
IDAHO LEGISLATURE
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Gov. Butch Otter says there's still time for lawmakers to pass a transportation tax increase this year, and he's holding out hope that around $150 million of his proposed increases will be approved by the Legislature. So far, two of the six bills in Otter's transportation package have been killed. Gov. Otter has said that the bulk of his plan to raise another $174 million a year for transportation by 2014 still could pass. Gov. Otter has proposals pending to raise the gas tax two cents a year over the next five years and to hike car and truck registration fees.
CLICK HERE for a full report of the transportation plan.
FRANCHISE TERMINATION BILL
CLICK HERE to read IADA legislation to strengthen your Franchise Termination Laws in Idaho! (HB 217)
HB 217 has cleared the House Business committee with a unanimous vote! This bill now heads to the Full House body to be voted on and should be heard later this week. Make sure and contact your Representative and ask for their support of the vital industry bill.
The purpose of this legislation is to provide fair and reasonable compensation by the manufacturer upon the termination, cancellation, nonrenewable or discontinuance of any franchise and to provide a time frame for reimbursement of such compensation.
SERVICE CONTRACT ADVERTISING LANGUAGE
CLICK HERE to read IADA's legislation to further protect consumers from predatory advertising practices for extended warranty's and service contracts. (HB 187)
HB 187 has been cleared by the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote! (69-0) This legislation now moves to the Senate Transportation Committee where Chairman McGee will be our sponsor.
The purpose of this legislation is to require that all service contract/extended warranty solicitations from 3rd party vendors include advertising disclosure language. This mandatory language with be tied to the consumer protection act and is exempt for licensed Idaho dealers and manufacturers. It is our hope that this legislation will diminish the amount of consumer complaints that dealers receive from these type of advertising practices.
SB 1053 introduced by ITD:
SB 1053 authorizes the collection of full legal names, driver license numbers, SSN's (when they don't have a DL) EIN's, etc for purposes of titling and registration.
* Having the authority to obtain full identification information will help protect consumers/vehicle owners and their vehicle interest and ownership, by ensuring that a vehicle is titled and registered to the rightful legal owner.
* The collection of this information if approved, will allow the department to bring order, standardization and efficiency to the title and registration records of the department.
* This legislation enables ITD to require the collection of owners and businesses identifying information, including full legal name, driver license number, or social security number, or a business' employer identification number. It also enables the department to collect both physical and mailing addresses. These requirements must already be met for anyone who receives an Idaho driver license or identification card.
Child car-seat bill wins support
The Senate Transportation Committee has voted unanimously in favor of SB 1089, to eliminate Idaho's current exemption from child car-seat requirements when a parent decides to take the baby out for feeding or to change a diaper while on the road. That exception - which only two or three states still have - disqualifies Idaho from receiving between $100,000 and $250,000 in federal highway safety funds each year, enough to buy about 3,000 child car seats each year for needy Idaho families. Montana has gotten $1.7 million in funding under the program in the past 10 years.
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2009 Joint State Convention
IADA & MTADA invite you to attend the most anticipated event of the year!
2009 Joint State Convention
June 23rd - June 26th - Missoula, MT
It's time once again to start planning for the 2009 Montana and Idaho Joint Convention. This year we are celebrating in Missoula, MT, June 23 - June 26, 2009.
Due to the overwhelming success and enthusiasm by both the dealer members and exhibitors, we will continue to use the Joint State format and hold a Trade Show on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 6:00PM - 9:00PM. The event typically lasts approximately 3 hours. This is a great networking opportunity to visit old friends and develop new prospects. As in years past, all of the activities will be within the confines of the exhibit area. Also, we will continue to award numerous prizes to the dealers, spouses or employees of the dealership who have completed the exhibitor signature card. Participating companies are encouraged and welcomed to bring along any additional items that could be included in the drawing.
In addition we will be hosting a golf tournament the afternoon of Thursday, June 25th. For the non-golfer, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, fly fishing, or a shopping excursion will be available. .
We personally thank you for your past support and look forward to working with you at the 2009 Idaho, Montana Joint-State Convention. If you have any questions about this year's event, don't hesitate to call IADA!
DEALER EDUCATION CLASS
Did you see these? Two important webinars are coming up from NADA. The first one will deal with the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which could become law in 2009 and usher in the most dramatic pro-union shift in federal labor law in U.S. history. As discussed at last fall's ATAE Legislative Focus Group meeting, the EFCA would eliminate the secret ballot in union representation elections, escalating labor union membership, returning traditional labor issues to the forefront, and forcing dealerships to bargain with unions. Jerry Coker, a partner in the law firm Ford & Harrison LLP and past ATAE speaker, will conduct a webinar on March 12 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm eastern time, entitled "Responding to Organized Labor: Defending Workplace Democracy." Jerry will discuss the current and proposed federal labor legislation, analyze how the EFCA would affect union organizing strategies at dealerships, and present a ten-point strategic action plan for dealerships to use to reduce potential vulnerability, and improve employee relations.
The second upcoming webinar will take a deeper dive in to the FTC Red Flags Rule. Attorneys from the FTC's Division of Privacy and Identity Protection will join NADA regulatory affairs director Paul Metrey on March 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm eastern time to assist participants in understanding how the Rule applies to dealership operations. The presentation will include a recap of the required elements of the Red Flags and Address Discrepancy Rules, and an examination of implementation considerations for dealers. The session will conclude with an "open phones" Q&A so that dealers can present their questions directly to the FTC attorneys.
The fee for each webinar is $199. To register for one or both, go to www.nada.org/seminars,or call 800-252-6232, ext. 2.
The Harsh Impact on Dealers of a Detroit Meltdown
(The What-ifs of a Franchisor Bankruptcy or Government Bailout. A Call for GM, Chrysler and Ford to Take Bold, Forward-Looking, Imperative Action)
by Eric L. Chase, Esq
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REGULATORY UPDATES
2008 PROPERTY TAX LEVY REPORT
The 2008 Property Tax Levy Report by the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho (ATI) has just been completed. It is available at: CLICK HERE
Effects of economic stimulus bill on COBRA
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes changes to the health benefit provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly referred to as COBRA. The act creates a temporary program of premium relief for those who become COBRA eligible between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009.
Under the new law, eligible former employees, enrolled in their employer's health plan at the time they lost their jobs, are required to pay only 35 percent of the cost of COBRA coverage. Employers must treat the 35 percent payment by eligible former employees as full payment. Employers are entitled to a credit for the other 65 percent of the COBRA cost on their payroll tax return.
ADA/COBRA Services is in the process of preparing additional information to help dealers comply with the new rules. Further information is available online at CLICK HERE The Department of Labor is also expected to issue a new model notice form by March 19, 2009.
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LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
Have you or anyone else at your dealership won an award recently? Has your dealership provided any outstanding community service? We want to recognize such accomplishments. Please send us a brief write-up of the award or event along with any other information to info@idahoada.org. Also include your contact information for further follow-up.
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Mission statement: The Idaho Automobile Dealers Association was formed in 1932 to represent interests of new vehicle dealers in the state. Our goal then and now has been to improve, enhance, and grow the automobile industry in Idaho. By advocating and providing programs, products and services for new car dealers, we want to create a stable and healthy retail market for Idaho's businesses and consumers.
Sincerely,
Trent Wright
Idaho Automobile Dealers Association |
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Generously Underwritten by:
IADA's First Choice in P & C Insurance!
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
IADA
2009 Joint State Convention
June 23rd - June 26th - Missoula, MT
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