Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: Feb. 14, 2025

What's Moving

Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:

• NY S4753 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 12, 2025. The legislation requires disclosure and written authorization for replacement crash parts in vehicle repairs, mandates the use of OEM parts for newer vehicles, and holds insurers accountable for additional costs if non-OEM parts are used.

• VT H.204 was referred to House committee on Feb. 12, 2025. The legislation mandates a program for the collection and recycling of waste motor vehicle tires in Vermont, requiring manufacturers to implement stewardship plans by 2027, with specific collection goals and annual fees, while amending existing laws to enforce compliance and facilitate proper tire disposal.

• HI SB 1120 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 11, 2025. The legislation requires Hawaii's Department of Transportation to implement a clean fuel standard to reduce transportation fuel carbon intensity, with phased targets and mechanisms for credits and deficits, effective July 1, 2050.

• NM HB 212, the Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act, was reported by committee on Feb. 10, 2025. The bill seeks to regulate and phase out products containing PFAS in New Mexico, with specific timelines for prohibitions, mandatory disclosures, and penalties for noncompliance.

• RI HB 5017 had a committee hearing postponed on Feb. 10, 2025. The legislation mandates that manufacturers of assistive technology devices, such as wheelchairs and scooters, provide necessary repair resources to independent providers and owners, prohibits restrictive practices, and classifies violations as deceptive trade practices, effective immediately upon passage.

• UT SB 133 had its third reading on Feb. 10, 2025. The legislation establishes new regulations and penalties for metal and catalytic converter theft, mandates documentation of purchases, and amends existing laws to enhance enforcement without allocating new funding, effective July 1, 2025.

• WA HB 1483 was referred to House committee on Feb. 13, 2025. The legislation mandates that manufacturers provide repair information and tools to independent repair providers and owners, aiming to improve access to affordable repairs for digital products in Washington State, with specific exemptions and privacy protections included.

• VA SB 1006 had a second reading in the second chamber on Feb. 12, 2025. The legislation amends Virginia's DWI laws to allow pre-trial ignition interlock installation, mandates participation in alcohol safety programs, and outlines conditions for restricted licenses, with specific funding and administrative provisions.

• OR HB 3512 was referred to House committee on Feb. 7, 2025. The legislation prohibits the sale of products containing PFAS in Oregon, mandates compliance certification from manufacturers, and authorizes penalties for violations, with full implementation by January 1, 2027, and amendments effective January 1, 2028.

Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:

• WV HB 2155 was referred to House committee on Feb. 12, 2025. The bill, called the Electronic Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers to provide repair resources to owners and independent repair providers, excluding motor vehicles, without disclosing trade secrets, effective upon passage.

• WV SB 242 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 12, 2025. The bill mandates that manufacturers provide necessary repair resources to owners and independent repair providers on fair terms, with enforcement overseen by the Commissioner of Agriculture, effective July 1, 2025.

• TN SB 499 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 12, 2025. The legislation mandates that manufacturers of agricultural equipment provide independent repair providers and owners with access to necessary repair resources, prohibits restrictive practices, and outlines penalties for non-compliance, effective July 1, 2025.

• FL SB 412 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 10, 2025. The legislation requires manufacturers to provide necessary repair resources for motorized wheelchairs, protects trade secrets, and applies to devices in use from July 1, 2025.

• WV HB 2373 was referred to House committee on Feb. 13, 2025. The Equipment Right to Repair Act requires manufacturers to provide necessary repair resources to owners and independent repair providers post-warranty, while protecting trade secrets and existing agreements, with enforcement overseen by the Commissioner of Agriculture, effective from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2028.

• NM SB 69 was reported favorably by committee on Feb. 7, 2025. The Right to Repair Consumer Electronics Act mandates OEMs to provide repair resources on fair terms, outlines repair provider duties, and sets penalties for non-compliance, with specific exemptions and timelines for implementation.

• RI HB 5159, the Agricultural Equipment Right to Repair Act, had committee recommend the bill be held for further study on Feb. 11, 2025.  The bill requires manufacturers to provide independent repair providers with access to necessary repair information and tools, while maintaining existing warranty arrangements and allowing for legal recourse in case of violations.

State News

Forty-eight state legislatures are in regular session. Florida is in special session.

• Oklahoma residents pursuing career training could soon benefit from a tax credit of up to $7,500 under House Bill 1092, introduced by Rep. Ryan Eaves (R). The bill passed a House subcommittee, and will work to expand workforce development opportunities and attract businesses to the state.

• North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D) and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt (D) declared February as Career and Technical Education Month during a visit to Wake Tech Community College. Gov. Stein reaffirmed his goal to make North Carolina a top state for apprenticeships, with partnerships between community colleges and businesses mentioned as a means to strengthen workforce training.

• The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and state lawmakers publicized a $600,000 investment in a new Bus Mechanic Apprenticeship Program (BmapPA) at Pennsylvania College of Technology. The distribution addresses workforce shortages in transportation, supporting public transit agencies statewide.

• A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Massachusetts' right to repair law, ensuring that independent auto shops and consumers retain access to critical vehicle repair data. Attorney General Andrea Campbell (D) praised the ruling as a victory for consumer choice and independent businesses.

• A right to repair bill was reintroduced in the Maryland House, with supporters arguing it would ensure independent repair shops can access critical vehicle telematics data. Opponents, including automakers, contend that repair access is already sufficient and warn of security risks.

• A new bill in Oregon would extend right to repair protections to motorized wheelchairs, addressing long repair wait times that leave users without essential mobility.

Questions about state legislation? Email tod.moore@autocare.org.