ustxtxb_obs_1983_06_24_50_00020-00000_000.pdf

Information for Historians, Researchers, Nostalgia Buffs, & Observer Fans Bound Volumes: The 1982 bound issues of The Texas Observer are now ready. In maroon, washable binding, the price is $20. Also available at $20 each are volumes for the years 1963 through 1981. Cumulative Index: The clothbound cumulative edition of The Texas Observer Index covering the years 1954-1970, plus annual supplements through 1978, may be obtained for $20. A second cumulative edition from 1971 through 1981 will be available by mid-year. Back Issues: Issues dates January 10, 1963, to the present are available at 75 cents per issue. Earlier issues are out of stock, but photocopies of articles from issues dated December 27, 1962, will be provided at 75 cents per article. Microfilm: The complete backfile dividual years may be ordered separately. To order, or to obtain additional information regarding the 35mm microfilm editions, please write to Univ. Microfilms Intl., 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106. to the Observer Business Office. Texas residents please add the 5% sales tax to your remittance. Materials will be sent postpaid. THE TEXAS OBSERVER 600 W. 7 ST. AUSTIN 78701 This amendment was tabled on Harris’ motion 24-6. The bill finally passed 25-5 but Gov. White vetoed the legislation. TABLE KEY: Senate: A Harris motion to table the Sharp amendment, passed 24-6. Observer votes NAY. B Vote on final passage, passed 25-5. Observer votes NAY. House: A Vote on final passage, 104-34. Observer votes NAY. SB 1141 The “Lemon” Bill Consumers stuck with “lemon” automobiles now have set procedures for trying to get compensation under the terms of Sen. Brown’s bill. Backed by the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, the bill requires that consumers process complaints through the Texas Motor Vehicles Commission instead of the courts. The result is that dealers on the commission are allowed to rule on consumer complaints against dealers. Dealers also end up saving court costs. Although the bill details elaborate procedures for getting compensation from dealers, people who purchase a brandnew “lemon” still are not entitled to receive another new car as compensation, even after the dealer has repeatedly failed to repair the original. Introduced in the Senate by Brown, the bill passed unanimously in midApril. Sen. Parmer added an amendment stating that consumers are not limited in their options when seeking to enforce the terms of a warranty. That is, for infractions specifically listed in the warranty, the consumer is still free to try the courtrooms first. House sponsor Stan Schlueter kept strict control over the floor debate, tabling amendment after amendment. One such amendment, offered by Reps. Hackney and Price, would have guaranteed that a faulty new car be replaced with a new car, not just a “comparable” car, and also would have preserved the consumer’s right to go to court. Price and Hackney had offered a bill giving just such recourse, but it never reached the House floor for consideration. The motion to table passed 107-35. The bill finally passed, 145-1. The Senate voted unanimously to concur in the minor amendments added in the House. TABLE KEY: Senate: A Final passage, 29-0. Observer votes NAY. House: A Schlueter’s motion to table the Hackney-Price amendment, passed 107-35. Observer votes NAY. B Final passage, 145-1. Observer votes NAY. SB 948 Commissions on CreditLife Insurance Another bill backed by the auto dealers would allow auto retailers to continue to collect large commissions on the sale of a life insurance policy. Dealers routinely sell policies which guarantee that car payments will continue if the purchaser dies. Although the State Board of Insurance set the commission rate at 20% for credit life insurance in 1980, the rule has been ignored because of pending court battles, and some dealers have been collecting up to 40% in commissions. The new law would set the ceiling at 35%, far above the insurance board’s recommendation. The legislation is important because it removes a substantial portion of regulatory authority from the State Insurance Board. The bill had little trouble in the Senate, passing on third reading, 23-6. In the House, Rep. Peveto offered an amendment allowing the State Insurance Board to fix the amount of a compensation paid by a company to an agent. Wolens’ motion to table passed, 92-41. The bill passed to third reading, 114-30, finally passed on a voice vote. The Senate concurred with the House amendments. TABLE KEY: Senate: A Passage on third reading, 23-6. Observer votes NAY. House: A Wolens’ motion to table the Peveto amendment, passed 92-41. Observer votes NAY. B Passage to third reading, 114-30. Observer votes NAY. O 20 JUNE 24, 1983