advocacy-in-action
March 31, 2023

Auto Care Weekly State Government Affairs Update: Mar. 30, 2023

by Tod Moore, Manager, Advocacy and Grassroots

Right to Repair and Digital Electronic Equipment are moving this week in the states.

What's Moving:

  • Montana HB 255, changing regulations on the sale of catalytic converters - Has passed the House and will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 30. 
  • Texas SB 1083, which would allow the beneficiary of an insurance policy to select a repair person or facility to repair a damaged vehicle - Will be heard in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on March 30. 
  • Texas HB 4598, which provides for penalties for catalytic converter theft - Was heard this week in the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, but not action has been taken yet. 
  • Florida SB 306, the Catalytic Converter Antitheft Act - Has been placed on the Senate calendar to be heard on the floor after passage out of Fiscal Policy with a favorable recommendation. 
  • Kansas HB 2326, would extend the sunset date on scrap metal theft reduction and add catalytic converters to the act - The bill has passed the Senate and will be sent to the House for committee assignment. 
  • Idaho H 142, would amend the current law to change penalties for catalytic converter theft - Has passed the Senate this week and will be sent back to the House for final passage. 
  • Minnesota SF 1598, a digital right-to-repair bill - Has passed out of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and is being read for the second time on the Senate floor. 
  • Minnesota SF 834, which prohibits PFAS in specified products including automotive maintenance products - Has passed the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee and will be sent to the floor for a vote. 
  • Missouri HB 37, which amends current law regarding catalytic converter sales and theft - Has been referred to the House Rules Committee this week after passing with a "do pass" recommendation from the Emerging Issues Committee. 
  • Illinois HB 1527, which would amend current law changing the definition of "disablement technology" - Has been re-referred to the House Rules Committee with amendments. 
  • California SB 244, a right-to-repair act for electronics and appliances - Has been re-referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee with amendments and will be heard on April 11. 

State News This Week:
All states are in session except for Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Louisiana, West Virginia and Virginia.

This week is the final week of legislature activity for Georgia lawmakers. So far, the Governor has enacted a $1 billion income tax rebate and a $950 million property tax break. Legislators still have to vote on a $32.4 billion budget. They will adjourn starting on March 30. 

The South Dakota legislature is convening to consider overturning bills that Governor Kristi Noem (R) has vetoed. So far, the legislature has passed 209 proposals and Governor Kristi Noem (R) has signed 83 bills into law. Most of the bills signed into law have been focused on prison reform and the justice system, as well as changes to election processes. 

Idaho's legislative session will continue into next week to consider pending appointments and remaining bills that were backlogged on the legislative calendar. 
 
Legislation We're Tracking
We are currently tracking 182 pieces of state legislation for the Auto Care Association and can provide a full list upon request.

Here are the bills we are watching closely:

 

State

Bill Number

Title

Status

California

SB 244

Right to Repair Act

Referred to the Judiciary Committee, hearing set for April 11.

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 been re-referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Colorado

HB 23-1118

Fair Workweek Employment Standards

Has been postponed indefinitely in the Business Affairs and Labor Committee.

Colorado

HB 23-1011

Consumer Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment

Conference Committee resulted in adopting revised version 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

Has now passed the House.

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.

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.

Maryland

HB 920

Consumer Protection - Motor Vehicle Glass Repair or Replacement - Advanced Driver Assistance System Recalibration

Has passed the House and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Maryland

HB 1193

Consumer Protection - Motor Vehicles - Right to Repair

The bill is dead upon missing the crossover deadline.

Massachusetts

HD 557

An Act Relative To Disclosure Notice In The Right To Repair Motor Vehicle Data Law

Draft Filed

Massachusetts

HD 2473

An Act Establishing The Fair Calculation Of Labor Rates Paid By Insurance Companies To Auto Repairers In The Commonwealth.

Draft 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.

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

The bill has passed both chambers, but has not been signed into law by the Governor. The Senate has concurred with added House amendments.

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 Assembly Transportation Committee.

Oregon

SB 542

Relating to a right to repair consumer electronic equipment; prescribing an effective date.

Will be considered in a Senate work session happening on 3/30.

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

Recommended by the Committee to be held for further consideration.

Rhode Island

HB 5841

An Act Relating To Commercial Law -- General Regulatory Provisions -- Purchase And Sale Of Precious Metals

Recommended by the Committee to be held for further consideration.

Texas

SB 1083

Relating to insurer restrictions and duties regarding repair of a

motor vehicle covered under an insurance policy

Will be heard in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on 3/30.

Texas

HB 3476

Relating to insurer restrictions and duties regarding repair of a

motor vehicle covered under an insurance policy.

Referred to the House Insurance Committee.

Vermont

S 46

An act relating to the Vermont Fair Repair Act

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.

 

Statehouse Automobile Reports

Governor Newsom (D) signed a proposal to create the California Energy Commission, which would communicate with oil companies about transparency, and potentially set profit caps and penalties for companies who exceed it. Some members of the GOP argue that a bill like this could raise drivers' gas prices, however, the Governor's office and Democrats believe they are only asking for increased transparency and do not think the bill will have an effect on prices. 

The Iowa House has passed a measure that would cap lawsuits involving truckers and drivers of commercial vehicles. The House and Senate will go to conference to negotiate differences in versions of the bills. The Senate version, which was passed in February, would cap damages at $5 million in lawsuits. The House version would prevent "nuclear verdicts" for wrongful death or injury lawsuits. 

As the legislature adjourns this week, Georgia lawmakers will be working especially hard to get priorities across the finish line. Governor Brian Kemp (R) is looking to make the state the electric vehicle capital of the nation, however both chambers will be voting on electric vehicle proposals this week and potentially will consider a tax on electric vehicle charging stations. 

For questions, email govaffairs@autocare.org.

 

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