[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622440,"mediaKeyId","2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4","parentId",2784385,"title","Rhode Island dealers press for higher warranty labor times; manufacturers warn of higher consumer costs","audioSeconds",5817,"startMs",779000,"endMs",6596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4&start=779&end=6596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4/thumbnail_779000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622440/Rhode-Island/Rhode-Island-dealers-press-for-higher-warranty-labor-times-manufacturers-warn-of-higher-consumer-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622440-6276d3ba7ad4c2577ecfbf492813b3e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645217&Signature=hF5EPI-p-x52893uDhnlvt6zy2Qdk7yrJ5rcasQ8iH8K0f9I65wPeW0S7lqHwKxhA4Nla6L1C5MHAAPBYVM7RXNId5ll4ywAJaXjrTPc0wWI74sNvumPD4KNpZOu81RYtN6D9qsjh7hojz6zoyhSX5Rhh~F4rj~E81Wnf~srSC-NIugQUjIEaWIZ27m~LsHMysJaoB6L0LGsURVnHPkUsi9toYc5WIMtmHbe45KclWBYRsVebBnIQbqBnsHHd5~uI2KWXJkRSbuhcA78objMxAheQk-xRXo~H1hHHbWvCDi3x3JmQPuRRdd9M8SywWuHHieqGPe4TtgVSkrnL~x-aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Dealership owners, service managers and technicians told the House Committee on Corporations on March 25 that manufacturer “warranty” labor time allowances are frequently lower than the actual time needed to complete repairs, and that mismatch is driving technicians away from dealer shops and making warranty work unprofitable.

Ted Cressy of the Rhode Island Dealers Association and a series of local service directors described examples where a dealer’s actual shop time exceeded the manufacturer time allowance by a wide margin. \"To keep these technicians and to keep them trained, we have to compensate them,\" Elmwood Auto Group service director Jim Vidoya told the committee. Technicians and repair‑shop witnesses urged the committee to require that insurers and manufacturers reimburse based on “industry standard” guides such as Mitchell or All‑Data — or at least allow dealers to rely on third‑party time guides when manufacturer time guides are inadequate.

Automakers and industry groups testified in opposition. Eric Kirkhorn of Toyota, Matthew Irwin of Mazda, and a General Motors representative described the manufacturer process for creating time guides: measured studies using manufacturer tools and test setups, with allowances for interruptions. They warned the bill (HB5590) that would require or prioritize third‑party time guides for warranty reimbursement would increase warranty costs that ultimately flow back to consumers via higher vehicle prices. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation argued the proposed change would provide a windfall to dealers for warranty work and could raise consumer prices; the Alliance also said warranty repair margins and dealer compensation policies already enable dispute resolution and extra‑time adjustments in most cases.

Committee members heard technical detail about how time allowances are measured, examples of corroded fasteners that take longer to remove than a clean test vehicle, and evidence from local dealers that warranty work comprises a large share of shop load and that many technicians prefer nonwarranty work. No committee vote occurred on HB5590 at the March 25 hearing.

Separately, representatives from dealers and the Rhode Island Dealers Association supported House Bill 5588, which would extend franchise protections and restrict attempts by manufacturers or “new market entrants” to bypass the state dealer model. Manufacturers opposed broad statutory changes that they said could disrupt existing franchise agreements and competitiveness. The committee took testimony and did not vote that night.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on Corporations: 3-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dealers and technicians told the House Corporations Committee on March 25 that manufacturer warranty time guides underpay many common repairs, and they urged lawmakers to allow third‑party or industry standard guides for reimbursement.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622445,"Rhode Island veterans groups urge ban on unaccredited 'claims consultants'; for-profit firms press alternatives",4574,304000,4878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4&start=304&end=4878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6622445/Rhode-Island/Rhode-Island-veterans-groups-urge-ban-on-unaccredited-claims-consultants-for-profit-firms-press-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622445-13730d681330df9d95a4eb6e791364e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645217&Signature=T-Dr0UdKVzp4XS9cMPIEjw~Kuatzc2YyZpAZJxmuYimo~fuIP~AmrZmiLf54vrn6VQAbJxU9jwgy4Ro6v7AazonJ0voURBEdZixmmH4IvFtfcE0pWmZq2npSVCWFe6roZz4CI8lKHofvrOv06EUJvXbadCBZM3vLPiOtIzy6kugw-HC3CMzbI099EelTO8pF8esYjZXlIJi7e1XUwSZrUzBs1Nh6t1RIOfSphlPrkTEi42PTf60yXsnODy1EWHXKsYUD-7nPVIvUlq3PA-AG-2wIizo0hzp0ImbpCrLMrMW7ONnx-EtO7VM0p-Lga2F12sp6mkasZiOZQVxk1vlc-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On March 25 the House Committee on Corporations heard more than two hours of testimony on competing bills about private firms that assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims.

Supporters of House Bill 5043 — chiefly state and national Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) leaders, county service officers and the Rhode Island AFL‑CIO — told the committee that unaccredited “claims consultants” charge veterans large fees, make misleading promises and sometimes encourage veterans to skip free VA‑accredited representation. Mark Turner, state commander of the VFW of Rhode Island, said the state’s 2,162 accredited veteran service officers produce trained, accountable assistance and that $32 million in benefits flowed to Rhode Island veterans through accredited services in fiscal 2024.

\"We come here to protect veterans from predatory practices,\" said Matthew McCoy, who identified himself as a member of the VFW national legislative committee. Multiple witnesses described business models in which companies charge contingent fees equal to a multiple of a veteran’s monthly increase; several witnesses said a five‑times multiplier is common. Autumn Guillot, political director of the Rhode Island AFL‑CIO, said unions representing thousands of veterans endorse HB5043 to curb “exorbitant fees” when free services are available.

Companies that provide paid claims help also testified. William Taylor, CEO of Veterans Guardian VA Claims Consulting, said his firm is veteran‑owned, works on a contingent basis and aims to prepare \"fully developed claims\" so raters have everything they need; he said his clients receive faster decisions and higher awards. Greg Silio of Veterans Benefit Guide and Bob Jacquard of Veterans Benefit Group asked the committee to adopt Representative O’Brien’s alternative (House Bill 5419), which would allow for‑profit firms to operate under written guardrails: limits on upfront fees, clear disclosures that free services exist, caps tied to outcome, and prohibitions on overseas call‑center solicitation.

Witnesses on both sides said they were trying to protect veterans; the disagreement centered on whether a blanket ban (HB5043) or a regulatory compromise (HB5419 or proposed federal reforms) better protects veterans’ choice while deterring bad actors. Director Kasimyan (identified in testimony as the state Director of Veterans Services) described the accreditation process for recognized service officers, including training and 16 hours of continuing education, and warned that accreditation provides accountability and consumer protections that private for‑profit models lack.

No committee vote occurred on either bill at the March 25 hearing. Several committee members noted the bills had previously been considered in the General Assembly and urged further review of draft language and possible compromises. Witness lists and written submissions were posted or to be posted on the committee’s website.","Veterans service organizations, union leaders and VFW officials urged the House Corporations Committee to pass House Bill 5043 banning unaccredited, for‑profit claims consultants; for-profit firms and some industry groups urged adoption of alternative safeguards that would allow fee‑for‑service companies to operate under limits.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622450,"Committee passes three procedural bills unanimously; moves to hold remainder for study",189,40000,229000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4&start=40&end=229","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4/thumbnail_40000.jpg","/articles/6622450/Rhode-Island/Committee-passes-three-procedural-bills-unanimously-moves-to-hold-remainder-for-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622450-4cdca98598332e3f8a983e0d1109d7ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645217&Signature=oYxFe2Hg~3~iqJhSikXxGtcD6y0~cffGBcWooGTcVfFzekqH-gShgRTrBa9oLhawZwvRMRIgPiAB5Iyfx1Zi9GBTIKBbdlf-m7~9Lsqmw0uyTnklnse8IVYwOuj-cD0N9r9Y4c19cukKYtrqJYUWC1aB~jYmCV8CZ~LAeJVGrWjK8HTwCBAXbolorNgfMJz5inJiSPNqNArmsbVeeN8p702gRt8vQ4kYVqgqbakSRGaQuzzcvMYk777yMPA4K4-l72aPtP5otLwVjt3UKxUNLBf1Q0dVXEUkJN2WLhIFQhihJyJ~5jc-U7atlpvLfmKYp2faI~K5f5iFSfiqhtgf-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Corporations opened its March 25, 2025, meeting in Room 135 and voted on three bills before taking testimony: House Bill 5558, House Bill 5569 (sub A adopted), and House Bill 5811.

The committee recorded the following outcomes: House Bill 5558 (contractor registration requiring a legible government-issued ID) passed on a roll call vote of 10–0 after a motion for passage; House Bill 5569 (a substitute A adopted on pet insurance, with indefinite postponement of the original act) passed 10–0 on the roll call; and House Bill 5811 (prohibiting an individual licensed as both a Rhode Island real estate agent and mortgage loan originator from being compensated for both sale and origination on the same transaction) passed 11–0.

After those votes, Representative O’Brien moved, and Representative Phillips seconded, a procedural motion to hold the bills on the day’s agenda for further study so the committee could collect written and verbal testimony and organize hearings. The committee approved that motion by voice vote; the chair later told witnesses that documents submitted to the committee would be posted online for public review.

The committee then proceeded to hear sponsors introduce multiple bills and to take testimony on a number of insurance, veterans, and motor-vehicle–related measures during a lengthy hearing.

Copies of the roll-call tallies and the committee’s notice about post-hearing publication of submitted testimony are available in the committee’s folder on the House website.","The House Committee on Corporations voted on three bills at the start of its March 25, 2025 meeting and then voted to hold the rest of the agenda for further study. The three initial measures passed by voice or roll call with unanimous tallies reported in committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622431,"Hotels, lodging groups back bill requiring annual human‑trafficking awareness training for staff",325,3227000,3552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4&start=3227&end=3552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4/thumbnail_3227000.jpg","/articles/6622431/Rhode-Island/Hotels-lodging-groups-back-bill-requiring-annual-humantrafficking-awareness-training-for-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622431-2403b375d1a0f6ec5cd7ab82b91d8435/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645217&Signature=bm39N6kxKTMmb-rANSum9yleZgHw~MOHQdv6lOeeF1w7lgiZ6CR4WJgR4oXc5Kpb5tM~ZosFCPSKFd5J0vA6iZF0hjZ3g9l0RGM7B5tdbu4mqu40N0EV4MbMsXBmtwEVzaQMGZMkTuaikSfPgPKPWPfHXz6nT8~kxzzg3F7udQLDWWChBzC111zNf2opGodBBc0fNbW0G5argqPe2OjzFW31I1NSG~6aJRdi0b49q9SGenBlglOw5xhi58W8yixh1XRLb33K1G6GJiFmKxLw9na4-XTC5-~phpYZk10KvVaFgRdg5VxqbcI7nZvWnwKDwNzTDeruOxiA4uTOEc9bQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association and industry operators told the House Committee on Corporations on March 25 that human‑trafficking awareness training for hotel employees is effective, already used by many brands, and should be required annually for hotel staff and short‑term rental operators.

Farooq (a hospitality association representative) told the committee he had firsthand experience with mandated training while employed by a hotel brand and said annual repetition made staff better able to identify trafficking indicators. Bianca Castillo of the American Hotel and Lodging Association described the industry’s “No Room for Trafficking” initiative and said the AHLA offers a free training in more than 34 languages; she said more than 2.2 million trainings have been completed nationally.

Bill Walsh of Rhode Island Hospitality said compliance is straightforward and can be accomplished with free online videos and multi‑language resources. Representative Dawson’s bill (House Bill 5563) would require annual training for hotel employees and certain short‑term rental operators registered on hosting platforms in Rhode Island. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the statutory definition of short‑term rental and whether the requirement would reach platform‑listed operators; sponsors said the intent is to target the registry of high‑frequency short‑term rental operators.

Committee members did not take a final vote; witnesses said the measure would standardize existing hotel efforts, expand training to more workers and support victim identification and reporting.","The House Corporations Committee heard near‑unanimous support March 25 for a bill requiring hotel employees and short‑term rental hosts to receive annual human‑trafficking awareness training; industry groups said training already exists and the bill would standardize and expand it.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622435,"Insurance industry, consumer groups and repair shops spar over appraisal thresholds, valuation tools and rental coverage",7172,5716000,12888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4&start=5716&end=12888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784385-d438dbfe2a6c0ee7f16e617bde8950f4/thumbnail_5716000.jpg","/articles/6622435/Rhode-Island/Insurance-industry-consumer-groups-and-repair-shops-spar-over-appraisal-thresholds-valuation-tools-and-rental-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622435-b362d68f03172aa01da3122f78ed8a7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645217&Signature=kcoBIdJWlwYQchhaExG361bKa3cVrJLy-CO0lhoPOkGWv8CWPpsMGx5DtR-hWIgiXqrudU0to8KqkByxVJjE8vgSPxy-BV2kQu4~cEae0v0NhnHKP5wu7ty-KVKhwRtPAsgEK5gDsbli2AOD6P46hs2rZDoRaqoxLaJbG-xWzhvrB1pxt7e9WRbB~FwQr4SUZlLpk0IR5hl4Qp1-nfyvEcSI~ptickpPsvb1FAmNW-PIm5pxMSL0IkFsbte-L7gmYWFBG65memeSoW3VgT06Ytb1-S48APM6cDNRxXknGcdPaHvLfV7ZyVMrS5TFa3nTHuq2dMXsmIuaAvdDDTcU9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members heard a cluster of insurance‑related proposals on March 25 and received competing testimony from insurance trade groups, repair shops, rental companies and consumer advocates.

Key items discussed:
• Appraisal threshold and use of photos (House Bill 5571): Insurers and trade associations supported raising the threshold for a licensed, on‑site appraiser from $2,500 to $5,000 and allowing modern photo/video and validated online tools to resolve smaller claims more efficiently. Jonathan Treiber of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association said $5,000 is below the state’s average auto claim and would focus in‑person appraisers on larger losses.

• Consumer‑accessible fair‑market valuation (House Bill 5572 / Carfax): Carfax testified for a limited measure to allow consumer‑accessible fair‑market values derived from live comparable listings and historic records; auto‑body groups opposed measures they said would let some valuation providers that ‘‘diminish value’’ based on prior damage override repair estimates.

• Appraisal/umpire selection procedure (House Bill 6054): Insurers urged caution about proposed changes that could require a party who first lists umpire candidates to be disadvantaged; the insurance federation warned the draft could incentivize gamesmanship and recommended clarifying language and safeguards so neither side can “lock” the umpire list unfairly.

• Total‑loss threshold increase (House Bill 6053): Proposals to raise the threshold for deeming a vehicle a total loss from 75% to 85% were opposed by insurance representatives because they estimated the change could push thousands of additional vehicles into complex repairs and add millions annually to insured losses. Trade witnesses said an 85% threshold could make it harder to total vehicles after flood or water damage.

• Rental‑vehicle comparability (House Bills 6032 and 6079): Repair shops and rental‑car advocates asked insurers to provide like‑for‑like replacement rentals for third‑party claimants; insurers warned that mandating comparable luxury or trim‑level replacements would substantially increase claim costs and premiums.

• Defense‑within‑limits (House Bill 5812): Trade groups urged the committee not to ban defense‑within‑limits (DWL) policies, widely used in commercial lines, saying DWL helps control pricing and is important for smaller markets such as Rhode Island.

Committee members asked for drafting fixes in several bills and noted some technical clarifications — for example, whether a rental‑vehicle comparability requirement was intended for third‑party claimants only. No final votes were taken; committee staff will circulate written testimony and follow up with sponsors about redrafting.","The House Corporations Committee heard multiple insurance‑related bills on March 25, including proposals to raise appraisal thresholds, change allowable valuation tools for totaled vehicles, require comparable rental vehicles for claimants, change total‑loss thresholds, and restrict defense‑within‑limits policies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rhode Island dealers press for higher warranty labor times; manufacturers warn of higher consumer costs

Rhode Island veterans groups urge ban on unaccredited 'claims consultants'; for-profit firms press alternatives

Committee passes three procedural bills unanimously; moves to hold remainder for study

Hotels, lodging groups back bill requiring annual human‑trafficking awareness training for staff

Insurance industry, consumer groups and repair shops spar over appraisal thresholds, valuation tools and rental coverage