2021 Legislative Priorities
/2021 Legislative Priorities
The Association's Government Affairs Committee met this week to discuss a range of issues on the Association's agenda for the year. In addition to the issue described above here is a quick synopsis of the other various agenda items GNYADA is working on:
Overhauling the States Titling & Registration System
Over the past several weeks, GNYADA has had direct conversations with various Cuomo Administration staff on our DOC Fee proposal, which calls for removing the five-decade fee cap and modernizing the state's titling and registration system. The Association's conversations center on the proposal's benefits for the state, the dealers, and consumers by overhauling the existing registration and title program. This proposal would save the state tens of millions of dollars and make New York dealers more competitive in the region.
This issue continues to be GNYADA's #1 priority, and we expect the state to give it considerable consideration it and put it to rest after its April 1st Budget deadline this year.
Lien Release Issues
Over the past year, GNYADA has addressed ways to speed up lien releases with DMV. For too long, financial institutions have ignored the law to immediately release liens upon clearance of final payment by a dealer.
We are pleased to announce that DMV issued new guidance for dealers and auction houses that expedites clean titles. Dealers can now submit registration and title applications with a printout from the DMV's online Status Check webpage showing the lender has electronically released the lien. This change means that dealers no longer have to wait for documentation from the lender to be delivered by mail.
If you need assistance with submitting registration and title applications to DMV or GNYADA’s Registration and Title Service (DMV-DIRECT) with an electronically released lien, contact GNYADA’s Dealer Hotline at 718.746.5900.
Auto Brokers
Efforts to reform the state's broker laws found new steam after Queens DA Melinda Katz announced the recent arrest and prosecution of an auto broker that defrauded both dealers and consumers. As we updated you last week, not long after the news of the auto broker's arrest in Queens, Brooklyn/Staten Island State Senator Diane Savino took over as the as chief sponsor of GNYADA's broker legislation.
GNYADA and several labor groups have teamed up again this year to gain legislator's support for the bill. We will continue to get our message out that brokers kill jobs in New York and are bad for the economy and small businesses.
COVID Vaccines for Essential Businesses
GNYADA President Mark Schienberg also briefed members of the Association’s efforts to work with organized labor to move up dealership personnel on the COVID-19 vaccination priority list. GNYADA provided the labor groups with a suggested draft letter addressed to Gov. Cuomo detailing why the state should prioritize dealership employees.
