Florida Legislator Wants Used Tire Age Bill

Backed by an Orlando law firm, Florida State Rep. Jason Brodeur has proposed a bill that tackles both the sale of used tires and tire aging at the same time.

The still unnamed and un-numbered proposal would require “retail used tire dealers” to inform buyers of the age of the used tires they are buying and provide “certain warnings relating to the age of used tires.”

Specifically, the language of the proposed bill states: “A retail tire dealer shall, no later than the time of sale, before dismounting a tire to be replaced by a used passenger or light truck tire sold by the dealer and before mounting a used passenger or light truck tire sold by the dealer, provide a written disclosure of the age of the replacement used tire to the purchaser. The disclosure must be initialed and dated by the purchaser, who must be given a copy, and the dealer must retain the original for at least three years. The disclosure shall include the following information:

“(a) The week and year the tire was manufactured; and

“(b) The following statement:

“‘Passenger and light truck tires, including spare tires and tires that are stored or have had little or no use, deteriorate as they age and are more prone to sudden failure that can cause a crash. Heat caused by hot climates can accelerate the aging process. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that passenger or light truck tires be replaced after six years, regardless of the remaining tread depth.’”

A violation brings a fine of up to $250 per incident, and Brodeur proposes the bill become law and take effect by July 1, 2013.

Orlando-based law firm Newsome Melton is backing Brodeur’s effort, and has been drumming up support through the Florida media, and its website.

“Despite several efforts in multiple states in recent years, legislators have been unable to establish laws that would require tire manufacturers and retailers to provide consumers with a tire’s age upon sale,” said the website.

“Additionally, a potentially greater problem exists in the used tire retail industry, as new tires are generally safer and experience fewer cases of tread separation than used tires.”

Firm principal Rich Newsome told WFTV-TV in Orlando that he has a “warehouse filled with wrecked cars,” and said the “link in a lot of these cases is the age of the tire. Most people don’t know it, but tires have a shelf life.”

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.