LEGISLATIVE  ALERT

HOUSE BILL 3304 and SENATE BILL 3336

To:  Minnesota Manufacturers, Distributors, and Installers

From:  Darrell Smith, Executive Director                                                 

Date:  April 9, 2008

Subject:  Minnesota House Bill 3334 and Senate Bill 3336

URGENT NOTICE!!!  The Legislative Consultant and active members                in Minnesota have been closely following House Bill 3334 and Senate           Bill 3336 since February.  These legislative proposals would be extremely             detrimental to the consumer and industry in the state. 

The bills are companion legislative initiatives introduced by Representative       Tony Cornish in the House and Senator L. T. Foley in the Senate.  The      statutory provisions would essentially have an impact on our industry in            three major areas. 

The first would make it illegal for new car dealers, used car dealers and         lessors to sell vehicles not in compliance with the current tinting laws.  The    second,and potentially most serious, would be statutory revisions that            would restrict any aftermarket products on the base unit vehicle from            having additional tint applied behind the driver.  The third change would       require medical exemptions to be recertified every two years and adds       language exempting police vehicles. 

This legislation was addressed, and our members were advised that the     legislation would be carried over until the 2009 Session.  After some         legislative maneuvers during the week of March 31, the bills were brought           to the floor of both the House and Senate and passed.  The legislation              now will be approved by the opposite legislative body and go to the          Governor to be signed and implemented into law.

This process is very disappointing, and it will be difficult to have any             impact on the final outcome of this legislation at this point.  The legislation             is being supported by a number of vocal individuals in the law enforcement           community. 

We strongly urge our members to call, write, and/or e-mail their  respective legislators in both the House and Senate and advise             them of the impact this will have on the consumer and the            businesses that provide this important product to the citizens of               the state.  We also request that members contact Governor Tim    Pawlenty and request his consideration of a veto of both the House         and Senate Bills. 

Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Other ways to reach the Governor’s office:

Telephone: (651) 296-3391
Toll Free:    (800) 657-3717
Facsimile:   (651) 296-2089
E-mail: tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us

Use the following link to identify your House and Senate     representatives:

http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.asp

Additional information will be provided as this important issue is                assessed and strategic plans developed.