A bill that would have banned the use of retreads on all semi trailers and buses in the State of Georgia was killed earlier today, Feb. 5, in a state legislature subcommittee.
The legislation, if signed into law, would have gone into effect on July 1, 2009.
It would have have been "an economic catastrophe," says Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB).
TRIB recently sent a letter decrying the bill to Georgia legislators, including these excerpts:
"On behalf of all retreaders in the state of Georgia and the entire retread industry everywhere, TRIB takes strong exception to Representative (Sharon) Beasley-Teague's proposed House Bill 144.
"We believe this proposed bill is ill-advised and would do serious harm not only to every retreader and trucking and bus company in Georgia, but it has the potential to cripple commerce throughout the entire State of Georgia. The unintended consequences of the bill, if it were pass to pass, would be absolutely economically and environmentally disastrous to the state.
"If the intent of Representative Beasley-Teague is to reduce the amount of tire debris on Georgia highways, there are better ways to go about it. Mainly, to focus on more education to truckers and all other motorists about the importance of proper tire maintenance. Our industry can and will help, if asked."
"The whole idea was crazy," Brodsky told www.moderntiredealer.com.
