See the enclosed press release regarding the “California Auto Care Industry Backs Legislation that Expands Inspection of Vehicle Safety Components” (AB 471).

Please address questions and comments to CAWA’s Legislative Advocate Gary Conover at gary@garyconover.com or 916.233.9655.

This latest IMR Insight from IMR Research comes in two parts: One focuses on independent repair shop’s purchasing of private label parts and the other looks at the importance of private label and national brands within the shops. For key findings and more information click here. Source: IMR & AMN aftermarketNews

Our organizations, which represent hundreds of thousands of Arizonans working across multiple industry sectors and are tirelessly working to safely serve our members, our customers, and Arizona communities urge the passage of Senate Bill 1377. While many of our member businesses have continued to operate throughout this pandemic and respond directly to the COVID-19 crisis, this period has also brought extraordinary legal uncertainty.

We thank Senator Leach for working with stakeholders since the onset of the pandemic to draft Senate Bill 1377, which provides targeted liability protections for responsible actors. We respectfully urge the Arizona Legislature to pass Senate Bill 1377 to prevent the abuse of meritless civil litigation that is otherwise certain to derail our economic recovery. See letter here.

This annual report from the past year was dominated by bold action to protect Nevada’s economy while we faced the worst health crisis in more than a century. When 2020 began, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) was working on finishing a five-year economic development plan for the first time in nearly a decade. 

When March hit, GOED pivoted into developing an 18–24-month recovery and resilience plan. Our historic major industries have served our state well and will continue to thrive as our economy recovers. We cannot brush aside the 287,000 Nevadans who had lost their jobs at the height of the health crisis. As we enter the 2021 Legislature, there are roughly 150,000 of our fellow Nevadans who are out of work. These are unprecedented numbers.

Included in this report is Nevada’s Plan for Recovery and Resilience that was coordinated by GOED, researched, and written by SRI International with significant contributions from RCG Economics and Brookings Mountain West.

Before we pivot back to a long-term economic plan, we must first provide immediate assistance to the small businesses who have faced immense challenges throughout this pandemic. That’s why the Governor’s recommended budget includes $50 million to continue $10,000 emergency grant funding for small businesses. See the report here. Source: Nevada Governor’s Office

The pandemic continues to have a dramatic impact on the goods movement system in California and nationally. The entire supply chain is experiencing unprecedented problems that have contributed to a delay in goods reaching distribution centers and consumers.

After cargo volumes crashed in the spring at the start of the pandemic, cargo volumes have been squeezed into the last remaining months of 2020 and now into 2021. Normally, the holiday supplies start arriving as early as July, but with the delayed ordering and offshore manufacturing, goods began arriving in higher numbers later in the season. This shortened, concentrated resupply period, more than any other factor, has caused problems throughout the goods movement system. Ocean shipping for imports will continue to experience limited available space, resulting in the continuation of high shipping spot rates and longer transit/terminal handling issues until late June or July at the earliest.

Once these issues are resolved, long term shipping rates will start to normalize but, at a much higher rate than we’ve seen in the past 10 years. The new higher contract rates will be the new norm for the foreseeable future. See more information here. Source: Steve Hughes, HCS International

The U.S. federal fleet — with its 645,000 vehicles — is going all-electric. At least, that's the plan from a Biden administration executive order issued last month.

The goal highlights how 2021 is the year that companies and government organizations will try to transition from piloting a couple of electric vehicles in their fleets to building much more comprehensive, scaled-up and potentially 100 percent electric vehicle strategies. But as fleet electrification moves past the early pilot phase, major challenges remain. What hurdles should companies and organizations be on the lookout for?

RMI analyst Chris Nelder and his team just released a comprehensive report on fleet electrification and its challenges. Here are five of the biggest red flags you should watch out for (click here). Source: GreenBiz

If you were not able to attend and on behalf of AftermarketNews and their sponsor, sales-i, see the webinar: "What Aftermarket Parts Sellers Should Do NOW to Emerge Stronger from the COVID-19 Crisis", click here for details.

On February 9, 2021, the Sonoma County, California Board of Supervisors enacted an urgency ordinance that, effective immediately, expands coverage under its emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) ordinance while clarifying and/or amending leave and notice requirements. The same day, the San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors adopted, and sent to the mayor, an ordinance that extends its expiring EPSL ordinance for an additional 60 days, prospectively exempts certain non-profits from coverage, and prospectively narrows instances in which some employees may use leave. The next day, February 10, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti revised an order requiring employers to provide COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) by broadening employee coverage and, as a result, changing how employers must calculate the amount of SPSL they provide employees. Learn More. Source: Littler

I have several employees who have quit for COVID-19 related reasons, including lack of child care and fear of being in the workplace. Why are they able to collect unemployment insurance when they were the ones who chose to quit? See answer here.

Recall, as a CAWA member, you can receive up to ½ hour per month of legal consultation FREE for these kind of issues. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce

The oftentimes forgotten individuals in educating and training students in preparation for automotive careers is the high school automotive teacher. Whether it’s their use of personal funds to keep their programs going, automotive product for the classroom, or their need for certification to keep their instructor and program status, CAWA wants to assist them in achieving success. Called the Motorcar Parts of America - Selwyn Joffe Award, the application deadline is May 31, 2021. For details, visit

https://www.cawa.org/Scholarships.