Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: August 28, 2023

what's moving?

• California AB 473 was read a second time and ordered to a third reading. The bill would expand regulations for the motor vehicle industry, adding prohibitions against specific practices, e.g. improper vehicle allocation and unfair exercise of right of first refusal.

•  California AB 727 was read a second time and ordered to a third reading. AB 727 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, delivery, distribution, and offering for sale of cleaning products containing regulated PFAS beginning in 2026. The bill would extend this prohibition to floor sealers or finishes containing regulated PFAS beginning in 2028.
• California AB 641 was read a second time and ordered to a third reading. This bill broadens the definition of an "automobile dismantler" to include individuals possessing nine or more used catalytic converters that have been removed from vehicles.

state news this week:

Eight state legislatures are in regular session. Tennessee is in special session.

• As the legal battle over redistricting in New York drags on, uncertainty shrouds the upcoming House races, leaving both parties without a clear picture of which districts will be competitive until spring. With serious congressional campaigns typically starting well in advance, potential candidates are hesitant to declare their intentions due to the lack of defined district boundaries.

•  Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has made appointments to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board.

• Darren Schlosser, sergeant of the Auto Theft Division - Vehicle Fraud Unit at the Houston Police Department, has been appointed for a term until February 1, 2027.

• Reappointments include John M. Prewitt, president of Tideport Distributing, Inc., Paul R. Scott, president and CEO of Fiesta Motors-Fiesta Acceptance, and Brett H. Graham, owner and CEO of Graham International and Graham Truck Centers, with terms set to expire on February 1, 2029.

statehouse automobile reports

• NHTSA has given the green light for Massachusetts to proceed with its right to repair law, after advising automakers to disregard the law earlier this year. The law, passed by voters in 2020, will allow car owners to choose more repair shops beyond dealerships and access repair data. NHTSA now permits the rollout with certain security modifications, expecting increased competition to bring down car repair costs.

• A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers is advocating for the elimination of the state’s E-Check program, which has required emissions testing for vehicles in northeast Ohio since 1996. Despite its well-intentioned nature, lawmakers argue that there's no substantial evidence of emissions reduction from the program. The legislators are urging Ohio's Environmental Protection Agency to consider ending the program, with legislators suggesting that the allocated $11 million could be better utilized for conservation education or public transit initiatives.

• Illinois is allocating $21 million to law enforcement agencies to combat the surge in car thefts, a problem that has escalated significantly in recent years. The funds will be distributed among six police task forces, including the Chicago Police Department and various auto theft task forces, aimed at addressing the issue. The investment will aid law enforcement in using advanced technology and proven investigative techniques to tackle vehicle-related crimes.
  

• Starting from September 1, electric vehicle (EV) owners in Texas will face an annual fee of $200 when registering or renewing their vehicle's registration. This new fee, implemented by Senate Bill 505, aims to address the perceived disparity between EV drivers and gas vehicle drivers contributing to road construction and repairs. Lawmakers argued that EV owners weren't paying their fair share, as they don't contribute gasoline taxes that fund road infrastructure. The fee is expected to be particularly impactful for new EV buyers who will have to pay $400 upfront for two years of registration.

For questions, email govaffairs@autocare.org.