Auto Care State Government Affairs Update: Mar. 17, 2023

by Tod Moore, Manager, Advocacy and Grassroots

Scrap metal and catalytic converter theft reduction, salvage certificates, training and education, used parts and more.

What's Moving

Kansas HB 2326, would extend the sunset date on scrap metal theft reduction and add catalytic converters to the act - The bill was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 14 at 10:30am, but no action was taken.
Vermont H 81, an agricultural equipment right to repair bill - In the midst of a multi-day hearing this week in the House Agriculture Committee.
Arkansas HB 1365, would amend current law to create offenses for catalytic converter theft - Has passed both chambers and has been sent to the Governor's office for enactment.
Illinois SB 2399, would repeal language making provisions for reassignment by dealers also applicable to salvage certificates - Will be heard by the Senate on March 21.
Florida SB 422, a right to repair bill for agricultural equipment - Has been introduced in the Senate, and sent to the Agriculture, Commerce and Tourism, and Rules Committees. The Auto Care Association has submitted an amendment request to each committee.
Florida H 533, a right to repair bill for agricultural equipment - Has been referred to the Regulatory Reform and Economic Development Subcommittee in the Commerce Committee. The Auto Care Association has submitted an amendment request to the subcommittee.
Texas HB 515, a right to repair bill for electronic equipment - Has been referred to the House Business and Industry Committee. Auto Care has submitted testimony requesting an amendment to include the automotive aftermarket.
Mississippi HB 588, the MS Workforce Training and Education Act - Has passed both the House and Senate, but the House has declined to concur in conference.
Maryland HB 920, which establishes consumer protections on the repair or replacement of motor vehicle glass or on motor vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems - Has been amended and passed out of the Economic Matters Committee.
Vermont S 48, which regulates the sale of catalytic converters - Has been reported favorably out of the Committee on Transportation.
Rhode Island HB 5731, which puts restrictions on insurers regarding used parts - Was supposed to be heard this week, but has been postponed to be heard on 3/17.

State News This Week

All states are in session, except for Utah, Wyoming, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Virginia.

The West Virginia legislature wrapped up their session with 225 bills heading to the Governor’s office to be signed into law and a balanced budget of $4.8 billion in general revenue funds.

The Georgia House approved a $32.4 billion budget for 2024.It will now move to the Senate for consideration and votes.

The New Mexico Senate Finance Committee approved a substitute bill for the state budget, and the Senate later approved it. Because it was amended, it will return to the House for concurrence.

Governor JB Pritzker (D) signed paid leave legislation into law this week, making Illinois the third state to do so. The bill will require all employers to allow employees paid leave one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 total paid hours per year. It will go into effect by January 1, 2024.

Legislation We're Tracking

We are currently tracking 182 pieces of state legislation.

Here are the bills we are watching closely:

State	Bill Number	Title	Status
Maryland	HB 1193	Consumer Protection - Motor Vehicles - Right to Repair	Auto Care testified in support on 3/8. Votes are still being determined.
Maryland	HB 920	Consumer Protection - Motor Vehicle Glass Repair or Replacement - Advanced Driver Assistance System Recalibration	The Economic Matters Committee passed favorably with amendments.
Georgia	SB 60	Secondary Metals Recyclers; it shall be illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell	Was passed by the Senate and is pending assignment to a House Committee
Georgia	SB 70	Secondary Metals Recyclers; it shall be illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell; provide	Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
California	SB 244	Right to Repair Act	Referred to the Judiciary Committee
California	AB 473	This bill would prohibit additional acts, including allocating vehicles, parts, accessories, and other items inconsistent with specified standards. The bill would also require the board to make a franchisor’s vehicle allocation schedule available for inspection by any franchisee.	Has passed as amended out of the Committee on Transportation.
Colorado	HB 23-1118	Fair Workweek Employment Standards	Has been postponed in the Business Affairs and Labor Committee
Colorado	HB 23-1011	Consumer Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment	Introduced in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Hawaii	HB 53	Right-to-repair; Digital Electronic Equipment; Repairs; Original Equipment Manufacturers	Committee recommends the bill is deferred
Hawaii	HB 1287	Relating to the Right to Repair	Was referred to the House Consumer Protection and Commerce and the Finance Committees
Massachusetts	HD 557	An Act Relative To Disclosure Notice In The Right To Repair Motor Vehicle Data Law	Filed
Massachusetts	HD 2473	An Act Establishing The Fair Calculation Of Labor Rates Paid By Insurance Companies To Auto Repairers In The Commonwealth.	Filed
Massachusetts	S 142	An Act Relative to Digital Right to Repair	Referred to the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Missouri	HB 698	Changes the laws regarding consumer products so that certain individuals and businesses have a right to repair information from certain manufacturers	Referred to the House General Laws Committee
Missouri	HB 532	Modifies provisions relating to keeping records for the sale of certain materials	Was voted out of Committee in Executive Session with a "Do Pass" recommendation
Missouri	HB 555	Establishes the offense of unlawful possession of a detached catalytic converter	Bill has been postponed
Missouri	SB 92	Establishes the Missouri Rural Workforce Development Act	Has been placed on the Senate Informal Calendar
Montana	SB 347	Revise right to repair laws relating to agriculture	Bill is dead as it missed the deadline for transmission
Nebraska	LB 782	Change provisions relating to salvage branded certificates of title and consumer care of motor vehicles	Amended in the Transportation and Communications Committee
New Mexico	SB 50	Right to Repair Act	Has passed the Senate and will now be referred to the House Judiciary Committee
New Jersey	A 3612	Concerns Right to Repair Farm Equipment and Lawn Mowers	Referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee
New York	A 210	In the repair of a collision damaged motor vehicle, no motor vehicle repair shop or insurer shall deviate from the collision repair guidelines, procedures, recommendations and service bulletins...	Referred to the Insurance Committee
New York	A 2263	Requires motor vehicle repair shops to disclose certain information to customers	Referred to the Transportation Committee
Oregon	SB 542	Relating to a right to repair consumer electronic equipment; prescribing an effective date.	Hearing held on 2/14, no action taken
Rhode Island	HB 5731	An Act Relating To Insurance -- Motor Vehicle Replacement Parts (Defines A Used Part And Creates Standards For Use Of Used Parts In Damaged Motor Vehicles, For Motor Vehicle Replacement Parts	Will be heard in the House for consideration on 3/17
Rhode Island	HB 5841	An Act Relating To Commercial Law -- General Regulatory Provisions -- Purchase And Sale Of Precious Metals	Will be heard in the House on 3/17
Vermont	S 46	An act relating to the Vermont Fair Repair Act	Referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
West Virginia	SB 738	Equipment Right to Repair Act	Bill is dead upon legislature adjournment
West Virginia	HB 3384	Agricultural Right to Repair Act	Bill is dead upon legislature adjournment

Statehouse Reports

GOP legislators in Connecticut released a plan which focuses on filling high-demand industries and addressing the state’s workforce crisis. The plan mainly focuses on educators, health providers, and targeting high school students to show them other pathways besides a 4-year college.

With major car manufacturers planning to open locations in South Carolina, the state is looking to ensure its workforce can fill the roles. The legislature is looking to pass a bill that would create an Office of Statewide Workforce Development within the Department of Employment and Workforce.

The Michigan Senate approved the repeal of the right-to-work law that would have made union membership optional for employees in unionized industries, as well as approved a measure that would require employers to pay the union-set minimum wage for employees.

Questions about state legislation? Email govaffairs@autocare.org.

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