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Legislative and Regulatory Updates
NECA employs a Legislative Monitoring Intern to provide timely information on regulations and potential legislation that may affect the car wash/vehicle wash industry so businesses and the Association can respond effectively. During the month of June, NECA’s Intern reported the following activity that may be of interest to the car wash industry.

MAINE
We are pleased to report that the biggest proposed changes in Maine’s taxes in over a generation were overturned on Tuesday June 8th. The new tax was aimed at previously untaxed services like carwashes, car vacuuming and auto repair labor, to name a few, and most other services that required a labor charge. NECA joined a coalition of small business owners, citizens and associations opposed to the proposed tax reform bill in an effort to get it repealed.

MASSACHUSETTS
SB 2380: An Act Relative to Economic Development Reorganization
This is an omnibus bill reforming state government, changing certain administrative procedures and carrying out a study on business in the Commonwealth. It continues to garner attention in recent weeks. Full text is available at http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st02pdf/st02380.pdf

NEW HAMPSHIRE
SSHB2: An Act Relating to Limited Liability Corporations
This Bill would make distributions from limited liability companies, partnerships, and associations subject to the interest and dividends tax only if they have transferable shares, and would establish a commission to study business taxes. Full text can be found at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SSHB0002.html

RHODE ISLAND
HB 8196: An Act Relating to Taxation – Personal Income Tax
This Bill, in addition to eliminating the alternative flat tax, revises several tax credits and deductions within the state of Rhode Island. Full text of the Bill can be found by following the link, and changes to the law are shown in blue ink. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText10/HouseText10/H8196.pdf

HB 8243: An Act Relating to Taxation – Sales and Use Taxes Liability and Computation
This Bill lowers the state sales tax rate to 6% beginning on July 1, 2011. It then reduces the tax rate by 1% every year after until the rate is reduced to 3% in 2014. It also reduces the number of items exempt from the sales tax. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText10/HouseText10/H8243.pdf

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Regulatory Agenda
The RI DEM released a mid-year regulatory agenda on June 15th. It contains a list of amendments and new fillings they hope to promulgate in the coming months. Full text of the report can be found at http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regagn10my.pdf

Some concerning proposals include:
• An Amendment to the Storm Water Design & Installation Standards Manual to incorporate low impact development recharge and improve best management practices. RIGL Chapter 45-61.2. DEM expects to complete the rule making process during the 3rd quarter of 2010. Interested Parties are listed as: Developers, builders, property owners and municipal officials. Contact information is listed as Russ Chateauneuf, Office of Water Resources, 222-4700 x 7700.
• Emergency Filling for Tolling Act and additional amendments to establish rules and minimum standards relating to the location, design, construction and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment system. RIGL 42-17.1-2.5, 42-35. The DEM expects to complete the rulemaking process during the 3rd quarter of 2010. Affected parties include permit holders, developers, builders and property owners. Contact information is given as Russ Chateauneuf, Office of Water Resources, 222- 4700 x 7700, and Gary Powers, DEM Legal, 222-4700.
• An Amendment to the Underground Injection Control Program to provide for a major revision and update of all aspects of the rules and to create consistency with the storm water manual. RIGL chapters 42-35, 42.17.1.DEM expects to complete the rule making process during the 4th quarter of 2010. Interested parties are listed as commercial and industrial property owners. The contact is listed as Ernie Panciera, Office of Water Resources, 222- 4700, x 7603.

VERMONT
No new legislative updates