Since 2008, CAWA has annually reviewed nearly 1,300 bills introduced in the Arizona Legislature to determine whether or not the legislation may have a benefit or otherwise cause adverse impact on the aftermarket industry. Throughout the past seven legislative sessions, CAWA has proposed, opposed, amended and monitored over 120 bills, which had been identified as having a specific impact on the aftermarket automotive industry in Arizona. 

Examples of CAWA legislative program include the enactment of legislation in 2010, which updated the amount of the recycling deposit that retailers can charge consumers that purchase new automotive batteries. Specifically, at CAWA's request, the bill increased the consumer recycling deposit assessed by retailers from $5 to $15, as a means to keep up with the market conditions of manufacturer recycling deposits. 

During the 2012 legislative session, legislation was introduced by Cox Communications, which was intended to address the increasing problem of lead acid battery theft. CAWA successfully raised concerns that the legislation was drafted so broadly that all automotive aftermarket retailers and wholesalers would have been subjected to excessive government reporting requirements and limitations on the number of transactions that could be made per day. As a direct result of CAWA's lobbying efforts, the legislation was amended to narrow the definition of "used automotive components dealer" to not include aftermarket retailers and wholesalers, thereby eliminating the bill's reporting requirements and transaction limitations on our industry. The narrowing of the definition protected our interests without weakening the intent of the legislation to make it more difficult for individuals to market stolen lead acid batteries. 

Recognizing the importance to developing and maintaining awareness of elected officials with the contributions made by the aftermarket automotive industry's, CAWA has been successful in obtaining multiple gubernatorial proclamations advocating for automotive maintenance as well as highlighting the industry's contributions to the state's economy. 

Throughout the year, CAWA creates opportunities for members to meet directly with elected and senior appointed officials, including Senate Majority Leader John McComish and House Minority Leader Chad Campbell. CAWA has also strategically worked with the House and Senate Commerce Committee chairmen over the past seven years to increase their awareness of the importance of the aftermarket automotive industry. 

In 2008, CAWA hosted a field meeting with then U.S. Senator Jon Kyl's office on federal legislation, relating to the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act. In 2013, a similar meeting was hosted by CAWA with State Representative Tom Forese, chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, as part of our ongoing efforts to educate state legislators on the right to repair legislation and the importance of providing consumers choice in how they maintain their automobiles. 

For the past seven legislative sessions, CAWA has supported and opposed legislation that impacted the automotive aftermarket industry. CAWA will continue to effectively represent the legislative interests of the automotive aftermarket industry at the Arizona State Capitol by raising the awareness of issues impacting the industry.