The Texas House Law Enforcement Committee held a recent hearing to discuss various issues such as vehicle key codes. At the hearing, Ron Pyle, president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), presented testimony regarding the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM). Representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) also participated in the panel, according to an ASA release. Pyle discussed the history of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) and its development of the SDRM, defined as a secure method to support immobilizer reset and key code distribution through traditional aftermarket support channels. The creation of this model has been an industrywide effort to ensure that only registered security professionals can gain access to vehicle key codes. The NASTF Vehicle Security Committee has worked with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to create an industry solution for the release of these codes. Development of the SDRM began in 2003 and was fully implemented in January 2008. ASA officials expect membership to steadily increase throughout the rest of the year. Since the 2002 ASA-Automaker Service Information Agreement, both groups have worked together to ensure that independent repairers have access to the same service and tool information, and training, as franchised new car dealers, according to ASA. The Secure Data Release Model, developed by the NASTF Vehicle Security Committee, is the industry solution to this final service information gap. ASA believes that legislation addressing key codes would interfere with the private-sector solution already in place. The Texas House Law Enforcement Committee has not scheduled any further activity regarding vehicle key codes. For more information, visit www.TakingTheHill.com. | 
