In February we asked you for your help in defeating Oklahoma Senate Bill (SB) 1853, a bill which would have caused tremendous harm to independent automotive repairers in the state. Thank you to everyone who contacted your state legislators urging them to oppose that bill. Your elected officials heard you, and because each of you made your voice heard, SB 1853 did not advance. This is a huge accomplishment!

Knowing that passing SB 1853 would not be possible, the organizations advocating for this legislation decided to shift their focus to passing SB 1741 instead. This bill would establish the same caps on storage rates that were proposed in SB 1853, while removing SB 1853’s other provisions. As a reminder, here are those rates:

• Maximum daily outdoor storage rates:
  • Motorcycle, automobile, or light truck up to 20 feet in length: $24
  • Single vehicle or combination of vehicles over 20 feet in length but less than 30 feet in length: $32
  • Single vehicle or combination of vehicles over 30 feet in length and up to 8 feet in width: 39
  • Single vehicle or combination of vehicles over 30 feet in length and over 8 feet in width: $55
• Maximum daily indoor storage rates:
  • Motorcycle, automobile, or light truck up to 20 feet in length: $39
  • Single vehicle or combination of vehicles over 20 feet in length but less than 30 feet in length: $47
  • Single vehicle or combination of vehicles over 30 feet in length and up to 8 feet in width: $55
  • Single vehicle or combination of vehicles over 30 feet in length and over 8 feet in width: $70

These limits would force repairers to charge storage fees at a rate well below the fair market. Third party surveys estimate average daily storage rates over $100 in both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas. 

Some argue that the Oklahoma legislature should pass SB 1741 because it is less egregious than SB 1853. A bill being less egregious than another shouldn’t be the standard by which we determine if a bill should become law. Sadly, SB 1741 passed the State Senate on a 35-8 vote. We have to make sure the State House sees things differently than the Senate. That’s why the Automotive Service Association once again asks you to make your voice heard. 

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