advocacy-in-action
March 17, 2023

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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