Arizona Law Archives - Page 6 of 32

Arizona Bill Reintroduced – Auto-glass Bill May Change The Direction Insureds Can Be “Steered”

A game-changing auto-glass bill under consideration by the Arizona Legislature is re-igniting a fresh wave of debate in that industry. HB 2197 has been re-introduced to a new wave of resistance from Arizona’s largest auto glass repair and services provider. HB 2197 was re-introduced because:

Abex.com: Currently, if motorists need auto-glass repair, they call their insurance companies and, depending on the insurer, may be referred to Safelite where a third-party administrator will send out an inspector. The vehicle owner then has a choice of shops to do the repair.

The Arizona bill would create a rotating list of repair shops, and the consumer would be given a choice of three providers to use. If the bill becomes law, Arizona would be the only state with a rotating list.

(for the full article, see the Arizona Builders Exchange)

One aspect of this development for consumers is that Chandler, which houses 600 Safelite employees, may see one of its major local business sources downsized. While 600 is a large number, Arizona is sustaining an economic recovery despite a recent similarly-sized General Dynamics layoff and a number of other such reductions in force recently in Arizona. Proponents of HB 2197 include the Arizona Auto Glass Association and say it would preserve consumer choice, level the playing field and increase competition in the state’s industry. Safelite contends that the bill amounts to industry meddling.

Read more about the debate in the Arizona auto-glass industry here.

Amnesty International Finds Arizona Prisons Abuse Solitary Confinement as Punishment

AZCentral.com: Arizona’s state prisons overuse solitary confinement in cruel, inhumane and illegal ways, particularly for mentally ill prisoners and juveniles as young as 14, the human-rights group Amnesty International charges in a report to be released today.

According to the report, which is to be delivered to the governor and state lawmakers, Arizona prisons use solitary confinement as a punishment more than most other states or the federal government.

Arizona Court of Appeals Case Extends Arizona Home Buyers Deficiency Judgment Protection

Arizona Republic: “Homeowners do not lose their legal protections against being sued for debt after foreclosure just because they have refinanced a mortgage, the state Court of Appeals has ruled. In a unanimous decision, the judges overturned a lower- court ruling that said Michael and Kelly Pasquan are liable for more than $1.9 million. That is the difference between what they owed on their mortgage and the value of the home when sold.”

Electronic Billboard Disputes Intensify in Arizona Courts

Arizona Republic: “Gov. Jan Brewer’s veto of a bill that would have permitted electronic billboards on state and federal highways was a victory for billboard foes. But the foes still have a tall hill to climb to reach their goal: no more electronic billboards. The battle continues to be fought in state courts and Phoenix, where billboard opponents have come together. Two cases are active in Arizona courts.”

Arizona Bills Target Landlord Tenant Laws

Arizona Republic: “The Arizona Legislature this year is changing laws regulating landlords. Gov. Jan Brewer signed one of the bills into law this week. The Legislature is expected to pass two others in coming weeks. Supporters say the measures are intended to fix problems with the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Opponents say they benefit landlords and hurt tenants. . . . Brewer signed HB 2129 into law Tuesday. It says that if a tenant has notified a landlord of needed repairs and for some reason the landlord has to come back to the unit a second time”