The proposed law would ensure new vehicles do not exceed the speed limit by more than 10 mph unless authorized.

Approved by Maine voters last year, the new law cannot fully go into effect until a database and oversight board are formed, among other tasks.

The state passed a first-of-its-kind bill establishing guidelines for the remanufacturing, reuse, recycling and proper disposal of batteries.

The states are the first to introduce such legislation during their 2024 sessions.

The proposed bill would alleviate financial strains faced by independent repair shops grappling with technological advancements.

The bills would require a human operator for any AV weighing more than 10,000 pounds, and approval from a municipality before operating there.

The proposed task force would be tasked with delivering a preliminary report by Dec. 1, 2025, followed by a final set of findings and recommendations by June 1, 2027.

2023 was a banner year for the right to repair movement, with progress at the federal level and in multiple states.

Among the laws going into effect are ones increasing minimum wage and employee sick days, and instituting a new BAR citation and fine program.

Maine Voters Approve Right to Repair Ballot Question

More than 84% of voters answered "yes" to whether or not independent repairers should have access to in-vehicle telematics.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 8, 2023

A referendum question on Maine’s ballot asking voters if independent repairers should have the same access to vehicle data as dealerships received overwhelming support at the polls Nov. 7.

Question 4 on the ballot asked: Do you want to require vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board diagnostic systems and provide remote

Pennsylvania May Strengthen Distracted Driving Laws

State Sen. Rosemary Brown has introduced a bill that would prohibit the use of handheld devices while operating a vehicle.

Written by Lauren Jessop, The Center Square
Published Nov. 3, 2023

A recent report said Pennsylvania's distracted driving laws lag behind other states when it comes to preventing crashes.

And, there's at least one proposal on the table that could improve that ranking and make roads safer.

WhistleOut compared distracted driving laws by state and awarded the commonwealth a grade of “D” because it has only one of the three laws they use as criteria---bans on using handheld devices, young drivers using

White House Holds Round Table Discussion on Right to Repair Efforts

Hosted by the National Economic Council, the event focused on how OEMs’ increasing use of repair restrictions, like patent abuse, hurt small businesses and consumers alike.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Oct. 25, 2023

State legislative leaders and industry representatives from around the U.S. convened at the White

Auto Cruising Legal in CA Starting Jan. 1

Local authorities will no longer be allowed to regulate or ban cruising.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Oct. 24, 2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 436 into law to allow automobile cruising activities to return statewide as of Jan. 1, 2024. Previously, local authorities could pass ordinances that regulated or prohibited cruising. 

Authored by Assembly Member David Alvarez (D-San Diego), the SEMA-supported effort followed a resolution approved

CAA Releases Legislative Update After Session Ends

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills before the Oct. 14 deadline.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Oct. 18, 2023

The California Autobody Association (CAA) released its legislative and regulatory update on proposed bills for October. CAA will continue to review, monitor and report.

Bureau of Automotive Repair

AB 1263: This bill, among other things, would maintain the continuation of the BAR Advisory Committee; require employees, such as service writers, who are involved in a BAR violation to attend remedial training; require a salvage rebuilder selling a revived salvage vehicle to

Maine Car Repair Shops Back State Ballot Right to Repair Question

“They’ve got a plan,” one Maine repair shop owner said of automakers, “and we’re not involved in it.”

Written by Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star
Published Oct. 13, 2023

Adam Stanley opened his auto repair shop, Stanley’s Auto Repair in Stacyville, ME, nine years ago. About four years in, he began noticing a change. Increasingly, he was losing access to the software he needed to repair vehicles.

In recent years, he’s often had to direct his customers in Stacyville, a town in the foothills of Mount Katahdin, over an hour’s drive to Bangor or nearly three hours away to Portland to get their

Maine Legislator Opposes State’s Right to Repair Referendum

State Rep. Tiffany Roberts said Question 4 on this year's ballot is a poorly-written policy that could open the state to litigation and data security risks.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Oct. 10, 2023

Maine State Rep. Tiffany Roberts wrote a commentary for the Portland Press Herald asking voters to oppose Question 4 on this November’s ballot, which will ask them whether or not the state should require automakers to provide remote access

CAWA Members Convene at U.S. Capitol to Promote Right to Repair Legislation

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Oct. 3, 2023

CAWAwas in full force at the Auto Care Association Fall Leadership Days and Legislative Summit, Sept. 20-23 in Washington, D.C., as members were ready to take action to advocate for the federal REPAIR Act, aimed at guaranteeing consumers' right to get their vehicle fixed by the repairer of their choice.

CAWA members attended educational sessions and legislative briefings as well as receptions on Capitol Hill, where they mingled with members of Congress and their staff. The culmination of the summit was a full court press on Capitol Hill.

Summit

U.S. House Subcommittee Hears Comments on REPAIR Act

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Sept. 27, 2023

A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee included the REPAIR Act in a Sept. 27 hearing on more than a dozen bills proposed to enhance product safety and transparency for Americans.

The bipartisan REPAIR Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-FL, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, aims to ensure vehicle owners can access repair data and tools needed to repair their vehicles.

Dunn emphasized during the hearing that when consumers buy a vehicle, they should own that vehicle, including the right to have it repaired: "When I buy a product, a house,

U.S. House Passes Bill to Prevent Internal Combustion Engine Bans

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Sept. 26, 2023

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, prohibiting the EPA from issuing a waiver to California for regulations that would ban the sale of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) in the state by 2035, SEMAsaid in a news release Sept. 21.

The SEMA-supported legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-PA, and passed with bipartisan support---222 to 190, with eight Democrats joining their Republican colleagues.

U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-OK, co-chair of the

EPA Spares Collision Repairers from Reporting Requirements in Proposed Regulation

PublishedSept. 15, 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) excluded collision repair facilities from its proposal to increase required reporting under a revised Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) regulation. 

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) applauded the move. Without the exclusion, ASA said, the rule would inflict considerable economic costs upon many small businesses while providing the government data of negligible value.

The Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel, convened by the EPA to assist in developing the proposal, selected ASA to serve as a Small Entity

CAA Watching Several CA Bills as Legislature Returns

PublishedSept. 13, 2023

The California Legislature has returned from summer recess and the California Autobody Association (CAA) anticipates a surge of legislative activity in the coming weeks. CAA has been following these legislative bills, and will continue to monitor and report.

Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)

AB 1263: The bill, among other things, would maintain the continuation of the BAR Advisory Committee; require employees, such as service writers, who are involved in a BAR violation to attend remedial training; require a salvage rebuilder selling a revived salvage vehicle to provide a consumer with a

Carvana-Led Coalition Passes Home Delivery Legislation in Illinois

PublishedSept. 5, 2023

Carvana Co.on Aug. 28 announced the successful conclusion to its campaign to enact legislation that more formally allows car buyers in the state the convenience of home delivery. 

Legislation sponsored by Illinois State Sen. Patrick Joyceand supported by thousands of Illinois consumers, explicitly permitting vehicle home delivery, passed the Illinois Senate unanimously by a 57-0 vote, the Illinois House of Representatives by a 113-0 margin, and was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

The legislation modernizes existing vehicle sales laws, which were more than 50 years old

U.S. House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Federal Auto Repair Bills

PublishedJuly 18, 2023

The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet on July 18 held a hearing on proposed bills in Congress regarding right to repair issues: the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act, Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act and Fair Repair Act.

Led by U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa, R-CA, chairman of the subcommittee and lead co-sponsor of the SMART Act, which would expand consumer access to reliable auto parts for vehicle repair, members heard from witnesses about the economic impact of expanded repair options. 

“Design

Consumer Survey Shows Strong Support for Federal Right to Repair Bill

PublishedJuly 13, 2023

The CAR Coalition on July 13 released a new survey that demonstrates strong support for federal vehicle right to repair legislation, highlighting the need for the bipartisan SMART (H.R. 1707) and REPAIR (H.R. 906) acts, which will ensure expanded repair options and consumer access to vehicle data. 

The new survey comes as lawmakers are scheduled to hold a hearing on right to repair issues July 18 in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet. 

CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepkasaid the survey suggests consumers are aware

CA Governor Gets $180 Billion Climate Package Approval

By Ria Roebuck Joseph, The Center Square
Published July 10, 2023

The California Senate on July 6 approved Gov. Gavin Newsom's package of up to $180 billion in clean infrastructure, with funds to be disbursed over the next decade. The action is expected to yield 400,000 construction jobs.

The governor’s package, guided by the final report, is a blueprint for regulation changes and steps for various sectors to promote climate action and develop the required infrastructure to support California’s climate goals.

Funding will come from the state’s budget, the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction

Criminal Penalties for Car Thieves Toughen in NJ

Written by Christian Wade, The Center Square
Published July 10, 2023

New Jersey is trying to shake its old reputation as the "car theft capital of the nation" with a new bill that toughens criminal sanctions for auto theft and permits prosecutors to seek harsher sentences.

A package of bills were signed by Gov. Phil Murphy earlier in July, including creating new charges for stealing or receiving a stolen vehicle and updating sentencing guidelines to provide longer prison terms for individuals with multiple convictions for auto theft. It also makes it a crime to possess vehicle master keys and software that can be used to steal

States Enact Legislation Related to OEM Procedures, Labor Rate Studies

Written by John Yoswick, Autobody News
Published July 6, 2023

With this year’s legislative session wrapping up in many states, here’s a round-up of some the new laws impacting the collision repair industry.

Rhode Island

Gov. Daniel McKee signed into law legislation (S 925) making it an unfair claims practice for an insurer to refuse to compensate a shop for “documented procedures identified as necessary by the original equipment manufacturer [or] paint

6 Ways to Take Action During Right to Repair Awareness Month

PublishedJuly 5, 2023

July is Right to Repair Awareness month and the Auto Care Association is calling on the auto care industry to take action this summer by making their voices heard in Washington. 

Following the recent attempt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ...

‘Driving Privileges’ Law for Undocumented Motorists Goes into Effect in RI

Written by Dave Fidlin, The Center Square
Published July 5, 2023

A new law giving undocumented motorists the authority to drive in Rhode Island officially went into effect July 1.

The change comes a year after legislation in both chambers of the General Assembly was passed.

Late last June, Gov. Dan McKee swiftly signed House Bill 7939 and companion legislation Senate Bill 2006, into law, starting the countdown clock to the law’s enactment to the midpoint of this calendar year.

The new law means undocumented motorists will have the opportunity to obtain what state officials are referring to as “driving

Maine Bill Would Raise Inspection Fees to Create Automated System

Written by Brent Addleman, The Center Square
Published July 5, 2023

A bill that would create an online vehicle inspection database run by the state police is the focus of a Maine bill that would raise fees on residents.

Legislative Document 900, sponsored by Rep. Bruce White, D-Waterville, would be taken back to the drawing board in the House of Representatives after the measure passed in a slim 74-68 vote in June. It was defeated in the Senate, 30-2.

If enacted, the bill would raise inspection fees to $20 from $12.50 or $20 from $18.50 for Cumberland County residents. White said nothing would change about what is