Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: Feb. 21, 2025

what's moving? 

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:
• SD SB 93 had a hearing scheduled on Feb. 21, 2025.  The legislation prohibits motor vehicle repair contractors in South Dakota from offering or paying insurance deductible rebates, nullifying contracts if violated.
• MT SB 356 was referred to committee on Feb. 21, 2025. The legislation revises insurance practices by prohibiting insurers from mandating specific repair shops and disregarding OEM instructions, while ensuring claimants' freedom to choose repair services and setting standards for direct repair programs.
• TX SB 1429 was filed on Feb. 19, 2025. The legislation mandates the use of original equipment for vehicle repairs under insurance policies for newer vehicles unless opted otherwise, prohibits insurers from limiting repair choices, and sets new disclosure requirements, effective for policies from January 1, 2026.
• MO HB 799 was reported favorably by committee on Feb. 18, 2025. The legislation revises Missouri's motor vehicle registration and inspection laws, exempting newer vehicles from certain inspections, detailing processes for reconstructed vehicles, and introducing voluntary donation options during registration.
• UT HB 522 had its first reading on Feb. 18, 2025. The legislation requires motor vehicle liability insurance to cover the market value difference post-accident, mandates the use of OEM-equivalent parts in repairs, and takes effect on May 7, 2025.
• VT H.238 was referred to House committee on Feb. 18, 2025. The legislation aims to phase out PFAS in consumer products in Vermont by 2028, with enforcement by state authorities and provisions for consumer legal action, while establishing a clearinghouse for information and requiring compliance certifications from manufacturers.
• TX HB 2963 was filed on Feb. 18, 2025. The legislation mandates that manufacturers provide independent repair providers and owners with access to necessary repair resources for digital electronic equipment, with specific exclusions and liability limitations, effective September 1, 2026.
• MO SB 420 was referred to committee on Feb. 17, 2025. The legislation mandates that product owners and independent repair providers have access to repair information and parts on fair terms, with specific exemptions and enforcement measures outlined.
• MN HF 790 was referred to House committee on Feb. 17, 2025. The legislation requires OEMs to provide repair resources for farm equipment, prohibits restrictive practices, and outlines exclusions and liability limitations.
• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:
• WV HB 2373 was referred to House committee on Feb. 14, 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.
• FL HB 807 was introduced in the House on Feb. 20, 2025. The legislation requires Florida motor vehicle repair shops to obtain crash reports or prepare transaction forms for costly repairs, mandates record-keeping and reporting to law enforcement, and introduces penalties for non-compliance, effective July 1, 2025.
• OR SB 550 was passed in the Senate on Feb. 20, 2025. The bill expands Oregon's right to repair law to include electric wheelchairs and complex rehabilitation technology, requiring manufacturers to provide repair tools and parts on fair terms, with compliance reporting due by December 31, 2025.
• WA HB 1826 had a hearing scheduled on Feb. 19, 2025. The legislation requires manufacturers of mobility equipment for individuals with disabilities to provide repair resources to independent repair providers and owners, aiming to improve repair access and reduce wait times, with enforcement under the consumer protection act.

The Complex Wheelchair Right to Repair Act, IL HB 3490, was referred to House committee on Feb. 18, 2025. The bill requires manufacturers to provide repair information and tools for complex wheelchairs, with violations considered unlawful under consumer protection laws, effective January 1, 2026.

state news

 

Forty-eight state legislatures are in regular session.

• California lawmakers are rushing to amend a recently passed lemon law reform before it takes effect on April 1, after backlash from consumer advocates and divided car manufacturers. The law was initially intended to ease court backlogs, and shortened the timeline for consumers to demand car repairs or replacements while shifting more responsibility onto car owners. Critics have argued the rushed changes primarily benefit automakers with high lemon law cases at the expense of consumer protections. With a two-thirds vote needed for immediate changes, lawmakers are facing mounting pressure to act before the deadline.
• The Oregon Senate overwhelmingly passed SB 550, a right to repair bill that would require wheelchair manufacturers to provide users with access to parts and repair information. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Janeen Sollman (D), and would prevent long wait times for simple fixes that can leave wheelchair users stranded for weeks or months. Sen. Sollman described the measure as a necessity, saying that it is "fundamentally wrong" for people to be denied the ability to repair something they own.
• Wisconsin legislators introduced a right to repair bill to give farmers and independent mechanics greater access to parts, tools, and repair data for agricultural equipment. Sponsored by Sen. Brad Pfaff (D) and Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D), the bill would reduce repair costs, increase competition, and protect farmers from relying solely on manufacturers for repairs. The proposal has strong backing from the Wisconsin Farmers Union, whose president, Darin Von Ruden, supported the need to "address the monopoly crisis in agriculture." If passed, Wisconsin would join five other states with right to repair laws.

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