The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has formally endorsed the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, designed to safeguard independent auto repair shops' access to diagnostic and repair resources.
NFIB expressed its support for the bill in a letter to U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), who reintroduced the bill in late February, after it stalled in October 2024 when it did not receive the necessary markup from the House Energy and Commerce Committee to advance to the House floor.
In its letter, NFIB urged Congress to support the measure, emphasizing its potential to foster competition in the automotive repair sector and prevent unnecessary cost increases for consumers. The bill, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), would require vehicle manufacturers to provide independent repair shops with the same tools, software and manuals available to their authorized counterparts.
“The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry and keep money in consumers’ pockets,” said Andrea McGee, NFIB principal of federal government relations.
NFIB, which represents small businesses across various industries, highlighted the bill's importance for rural communities, where independent repair shops are often the only option for vehicle maintenance.
“Without access to an independent vehicle repair shop, consumers will be forced to spend more time away from their own businesses and take more money out of their pockets,” McGee added.
NFIB did not mention the Safety as First Emphasis (SAFE) Repair Act, proposed to Congress by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which are looking for sponsors in the U.S. House and Senate to formally introduce it.
The SAFE Repair Act would build upon a 2023 agreement between the same organizations that granted independent repair shops the same diagnostic and repair information available to authorized dealership networks.
It differs from the REPAIR Act, which, in addition to guaranteeing access to diagnostics and repair data, would prohibit automakers from impairing a non-OEM parts manufacturer from producing or selling compatible aftermarket parts.
