Welcome to the NECA!

We’ve reached the mid-point of 2011 and up to this point; the Legislative bills being presented in the various State Houses of the states we monitor have been non-threatening to our car wash industry. There was some talk heard from the State of Connecticut that they wanted to start charging sales tax on car washes and that it is being fought. We will continue to keep following that situation, and see where it leads -- especially if it spurs proposals in the states NECA represents.
It is important that we all pay attention to what is happenening in our respective states and communities regarding anything that could be a threat to your car wash or on a grander scale, to your fellow NECA members. When you receive your NECA News Brief in alternating months, please review the bills identified by our research intern for areas of concern.
Enjoy the summer.

May 2011 Legislative Report
Our intern reported that most of the states in the NECA region did not have new legislation or regulations.

MAINE
LD 1571: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Workers Compensation This Bill amends provisions of the Maine Workers Compensation Act of 1992. Proposed changes include providing for full reimbursement to an employer from proceeds paid by a third party. It specifies that, if an award has been entered, the employer, insurer or group self insurer may petition the board for a reduction and may not reduce or discontinue benefits until the issuance of a decree by a hearing officer. It also eliminates the requirement that a physician have an active practice in order to be qualified to conduct a medical examination. It provides that if an employee chooses to have a physician present at a required examination, the employee must pay the cost of that physician. Finally, it amends the statute of limitations periods when no first report of injury is required to be filed. Full text of the proposed changes can be found at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP115401.asp

MASSACHUSETTS
310 CMR 80.01: Underground Storage Tank Operator Training Emergency Regulations - May 2011 This proposed regulation creates a training program for underground storage tank Class A, B and C operators in accordance with federal law. Operators would be required to be trained internally and then Class A and B operators would have to take and pass a state administered examination. Public hearings will be held on June 21 at 9:00 am at MassDEP Headquarters. Written comments can also be submitted to the DEP. Full text of the regulation is available at http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/laws/ustotreg.pdf

NEW HAMPSHIRE
No Pertinent Legislation or Regulatory Changes

RHODE ISLAND
No Pertinent Legislation or Regulatory Changes

VERMONT Updates on proposals reported in previous months
HB 122: An Act Relating to Implementing the Recommendations of Vermont’s Blue Ribbon Tax Structure This Bill, introduced back in January, would lower the state sales tax while at the same time expanding its base. Under the provisions of the Bill, the sales and use tax will be lowered to 4.5% but extended to consumer services. The Bill is under discussion in the Ways and Means Committee. Full text of the original bill can be found at http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-122.pdf

HB 243: An Act Relating to Tax Reform Recommendations of the Vermont Blue Ribbon Tax Commission This Bill is similar to HB 122 and was introduced in late February. In addition to other changes to the tax code, it extends the sales tax to services at a rate of 4.5%. The bill has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Text is available at http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-243.pdf