The United States Senate has passed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, which the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) calls "a very positive development for the retread, service station and automotive repair industries."
The legislation protects companies in the above segments from being hit with legal and clean up fees stemming from the lawful disposal of trash.
It also makes things easier for dealers to sell property that states have declared are contaminated.
In addition, "if (a dealer) who provides auto service has used oil collected by a licensed hauler and it ends up in a municipal landfill, (he) is now protected," says ITRA President Tom Raben.
However, if a licensed hauler dumps oil in a facility that eventually becomes a Superfund site, "the small business is liable for clean up costs."
