ADALB: Labor Rates, Regulations and Complaints – Oh My!

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

Follow the yellow brick road! Follow the yellow brick road!

The May 13 meeting of the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) mirrored a trip to Oz as the whirlwind discussion left many attendees feeling as though they had encountered the various characters from the renowned film. Although the collision repair industry has become increasingly complex, not everyone on the Board seems to realize “we’re not in Kansas anymore” where everything is simply black and white.

Attorney Michael Powers provided an update on the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board (ABLRAB), which is charged with conducting a survey on body shop labor rates. He indicated the ABLRAB is open to third-party surveys being presented for its consideration, and he also issued a call for testimony to be given in person and virtually during the next public hearing, scheduled June 12. (Don’t fall asleep amid the poppy fields – AASP/MA encourages members to stay tuned for detailed information on how they can participate in this public hearing to make sure the industry’s concerns are addressed!)

The Board’s review of proposed amendments to 212 CMR 2.03 (1) and (2) resulted in a need for additional research and discussion at a future meeting, while the conversation about needed updates to the equipment listed in 2.02(9) brought to mind the words of the Scarecrow: “Some people without brains do an awful amount of talking, don’t they?” 

When Board member Carl Garcia (Carl’s Collision Center; Fall River) suggested adding OEM procedures to the list, Board member Peter Smith (MAPFRE) asked, “How does that requirement play in with the fact that it’s the appraiser’s obligation to specify the damage attributable to the accident or theft? How is that damage?” as he insisted, “I just don’t see where that’s necessary.” 

“You don’t see where it’s necessary to have the knowledge on how to repair a vehicle properly?” Board member Bill Johnson (Pleasant Street Auto; South Hadley/Belchertown) expressed incredulously. 

As Attorney Powers promised at the March ADALB meeting, the Board had plenty of complaints to review this time around, eliciting appearances from a couple more Wizard of Oz favorites as discussions and voting revealed an absence of heart and courage. Meanwhile, the question “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” was clearly answered with the tie-breaking votes that clearly screamed, “I’ll get you my pretty…and your little dog too!” 

Due to insufficient or unclear documentation, six complaints were unanimously dismissed without prejudice, allowing the complainants to resubmit with the appropriate evidence of the allegations. (One complaint elicited an explosion – and quite a bit of profanity – on the part of one Board member!)

The Board also unanimously voted to move forward on Complaint 2025-18, agreeing to seek the appraiser’s side of the story in regard to steering allegations; however, these were the only agreements reached during the review of complaints.

Eleven complaints revealed divided opinions with the two automotive representatives squaring off against the Board members from the insurance industry. In every case, Chairman Michael Donovan cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the insurers. 

AASP/MA Executive Director Lucky Papageorg oiced his frustration. “Why are these being dismissed if someone isn’t following the regulation?” he asked. “We’re two votes, you know; we’re outnumbered,” Garcia claimed, indicating his exasperation with the clear bias repeatedly exhibited by the Board’s leader. (“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”)

The ADALB is scheduled to reconvene on July 22 at 10am. Information pertaining to the ADALB’s meeting schedule and planned agenda is typically posted by the Friday prior to the meeting at bit.ly/ADALBagendas. 

AASP/MA members are strongly encouraged to listen to the recording of the May 13 meeting in the Members Only section of aaspma.org for a glimpse into the inner workings of the ADALB. View the meeting agenda at bit.ly/ADALB051325. More detailed coverage of this meeting appears in the June issue of Damage Report, AASP/MA’s members-only newsletter.

Want more? Check out the July 2025 issue of New England Automotive Report!