Following the recent success in amending legislation in Montana, PassTime and NIADA worked with the Florida IADA to successfully amend a recent law enacted in Florida regarding “kill switches” or starter interrupt devices.
Florida’s SB 1444/HB 1371, among other things, prohibits unauthorized use of remotely activated vehicle kill switches, with several exceptions. The bill was signed into law in June.
After successfully amending a similar bill in Montana earlier this year, the introduction of Florida SB 1444 and HB 1371 caught the attention of PassTime’s Executive Vice President of Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, Corinne Kirkendall. Upon reviewing the proposed legislation, Kirkendall recognized its potential implications for auto dealers and auto finance companies in Florida.
Kirkendall worked with NIADA and FIADA to address the sponsors of the bill. Together, their work resulted in a “carve out” for the auto industry. The bill’s sponsors added verbiage to the legislation, giving an exemption for the use of a starter interrupt device if they are part of a “regular payment program.”
“Although the Senator did not go as far as we would have liked to protect Florida dealers, they have asked us to reach out over the summer to continue to work on language changes for the next session,” Kirkendall said.
Florida IADA Executive Director Chuck Bonanno praised the work of Kirkendall, NIADA and others to identify the issue with the bill and take action.
“The language was attached to a criminal bill. Out of a 31-page bill, it was one paragraph that would have outlawed starter interrupt devices,” Bonanno said. “We need everyone’s eyes on everything all the time.”
Additionally, PassTime supported Florida’s SB 1168, which provides consent for the use of tracking device technology. The bill passed and was signed by the governor May 23.
