New York Legislative Effort Heats Up

The effort to pass legislation in New York state that would eliminate the exclusion for auto glass in the insurance laws is coming to a critical point as it appears the legislation is likely to come up for a vote soon. Scott Owens, owner of Excel Auto Glass Corp., has led the effort and is calling on all concerned parties to take action to alert their representatives to the legislation and the importance of it being passed.

Hopefully, said Owens, "We can get the legislation out of committee this year."

"There's a buzz going around in Albany, the state capital," he told glassBYTEs™. "One shop owner I spoke with said his assemblyman had called and asked what was going on about this bill, so it showed that he had heard about it and wanted to find out what the story was."

Last year Owens met with senate and assembly representatives to get two bills introduced (S3429 and A07199) to remove the exclusion in 2610b. "I have been attempting to rally support and have traveled from Long Island to Buffalo talking to glass shop owners. Many of them are afraid of the networks or the insurance companies black listing them," he explained
He urged all glass and body repair shops in the state to send letters of support to their elected officials. The bill is called to come out of committee, but, "if the legislators aren't made aware that this is an issue, they have no reason to support it," he explained.

CLICK HERE to read the sample letter Owens sends to legislators explaining the need for support of the legislation. (link to the letter)

For more information on bill S3429 or to contact a New York State Senator, CLICK HERE.

For more information on bill A07199 or to contact a member of the New York State Assembly, CLICK HERE.