The Arizona Automotive Wholesalers' Association (AAWA) has been working with legislators and key legislative staff to develop support for removing the current statutory cap on battery core deposits that exists in the State of Arizona. "Currently, distributors and retailers can charge up to $5.00 maximum for a battery core deposit and our members are losing money to their bottom line and this is unacceptable," according to AAWA's President & CEO, Rodney Pierini.

At this point, there is significant interest to enact the necessary statutory change.  However, as the Arizona Legislature continues to focus on resolving a $3 billion revenue shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, there may be limitations on the number of bills being allowed to be enacted this year, as the Senate has not allowed any committee meetings on legislation and the House is not allowing any bills to advance to a formal vote.  "Arizona legislators are aware of the battery core issue and AAWA is looking for an opportunity within an uncertain legislative process," according to the Association's Legislative Advocate, Stuart Goodman. "We are at least looking for legislative relief whereby a wholesaler or retailer can charge a deposit that’s equal to the charge being assessed by the manufacturer so the incoming and outgoing charges are a wash to our members," continued Goodman.

To discuss this and other Arizona aftermarket industry or general business issues with our Legislative Advocate, Mr. Goodman can be reached in Phoenix at 602.277.0911 or via email (sgoodman@goodmanschwartz.com).

This is yet another example on how the Association promotes and protects the interests of its members and the industry it serves.  For more information on the Association and what it does on behalf of the automotive aftermarket industry and the programs and services it provides to its members in Arizona visit www.cawa.org