Tire Bill

A House judiciary committee has approved legislation that would allow school systems and state agencies to choose from two different tire repair methods. The measure could end a tug-of-war between a Wilson tire company that had held the state contract to repair and retread tires for nearly three decades and other companies who use a different method. And provisions in the bill limiting how much the state would pay for spot repairs address concerns raised in a 2005 auditor's report that said the state paid too much for tire repairs. The bill's next stop is the House floor. If it wins approval there, it returns to the Senate for concurrence.
Debate has centered on two methods of retreading tires. One, known as bead-to-bead, is favored by White's Tire of Wilson, the only company in the state known to use the method. Other companies such as Snider Tire Co. of Greensboro say that the more common top-capping method costs less, performs just as well and does not remove manufacturer's information from the tire. In the past three weeks, legislators have argued over a provision that would require that manufacturers' information to remain. Some say that it would be critical in the event of a recall or catastrophic problem. But White's and some legislators said there is no way to do the bead-to-bead process and maintain that information. Bead-to-bead is also more expensive. Workers in some state agencies say the method performs better on rough roads and work sites.
The House panel amended the bill Thursday to require the state to bid two separate contracts -- one for bead-to-bead and one for the top-capping method. Agencies and school systems would then choose between the two methods and be responsible for justifying the extra cost if they picked the more expensive one. When asked whether he was happy with the latest and possibly final version of the bill he has pushed, Rep. Nelson Cole said, "Everything here is a work in progress." The Reidsville Democrat added that he would ask the full House to approve the bill as amended by the committee. (Mark Binker, THE NEWS & RECORD, 7/11/08).