Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: March 7, 2025

what's moving?

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:
• SD SB 93 was signed by the governor on on Mar. 6, 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 had a hearing scheduled on Mar. 6, 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.
• UT HB 522 was reported unfavorably by House committee on Mar. 4, 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.
• FL HB 805 was referred to House committee on Feb. 28, 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.
• UT SB 133 was passed on Mar. 6, 2025. The legislation establishes a new criminal offense for metal and catalytic converter theft, mandates detailed transaction documentation, amends existing statutes, and sets penalties without appropriating additional funds, effective July 1, 2025.
• TX SB 1429 was referred to Senate committee on Mar. 6, 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.
• NY S.6120 was referred to Senate committee on Mar. 6, 2025. The legislation establishes a program for biannual preventative maintenance of wheelchairs in New York, detailing roles for health and social services departments, reimbursement procedures, and definitions, with implementation set for 90 days post-enactment.
• HI SB 1120 was referred to House committee on Mar. 6, 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.
• FL SB92 was introduced in the Senate on Mar. 4, 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.
• OK HB2111 was reported favorably by committee on Mar. 4, 2025. The bill amends the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act to update vehicle classification definitions, title application processes, and fee structures, with an effective date of November 1, 2025.
• TX HB 3682 was filed on Mar. 4, 2025. The legislation mandates that original equipment manufacturers provide independent repair providers and owners with necessary repair resources on fair terms, effective September 1, 2025, while ensuring consumer protection against deceptive practices.
• FL SB412 was introduced to the Senate on Mar. 4, 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.
• MN SF 2081 was filed on Mar. 3, 2025. The legislation modifies the distribution of sales tax revenues from vehicle repair and replacement parts, increasing allocations to the transportation advancement account over several fiscal years and adjusting other fund allocations, with changes effective from sales taxes remitted after July 1, 2017.
• MT HB 813 had a hearing scheduled on Mar. 1, 2025. The legislation requires manufacturers to allow independent repair of agricultural equipment emissions systems, effective April 1, 2026, with retroactive applicability to equipment made from July 1, 2015.

 

• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:
• MT HB 813 had a hearing scheduled on Mar. 1, 2025. The legislation requires manufacturers to allow independent repair of agricultural equipment emissions systems, effective April 1, 2026, with retroactive applicability to equipment made from July 1, 2015.
• NY A.6569 was referred to Assembly committee on Mar. 6, 2025. The legislation mandates that powered wheelchair manufacturers provide independent repair providers and owners with necessary repair resources at fair costs, while protecting manufacturers from liability for independent repairs, effective January 1, 2026.
• WV SB 242 was referred to Senate committee on Mar. 6, 2025. The bill, the Equipment Right to Repair Act, mandates that manufacturers provide independent repair providers and equipment owners in West Virginia with access to necessary repair resources, while prohibiting modifications to certain software and safety features, with enforcement beginning July 1, 2025.
• WA HB 1550 had its second reading on Mar. 4, 2025. The bill, the Electric Vehicle Battery Management Act, establishes a framework for the responsible disposal and recycling of electric vehicle batteries, setting recovery targets, compliance deadlines, and penalties, while funding enforcement through a fee structure.
• FL SB1132 was introduced to the Senate on Mar. 4, 2025. The legislation mandates that manufacturers of portable wireless devices provide repair information and tools to owners and independent repair providers, with enforcement mechanisms and exemptions for trade secrets and FDA-approved devices, effective July 1, 2025.

MN SF 2030 was referred to Senate committee on Mar. 3, 2025. The legislation mandates that original equipment manufacturers provide access to repair resources for farm equipment, prohibits restrictive repair practices, and outlines exclusions and liability limitations.

state news

Forty-seven state legislatures are in regular session.

• California lawmakers are racing to amend a controversial lemon law overhaul that was rushed through the legislature last year to ease court backlogs caused by lawsuits against car manufacturers. The changes were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom (D), cutting the time consumers have to demand repairs or replacements and shifted more responsibility onto car owners. However, the bill has sparked backlash from consumer advocates and legislators, who argue it primarily benefits auto manufacturers facing the most lawsuits. With an April 1 deadline looming, legislators must pass a fix with a two-thirds majority.
• Utah Rep. Colin Jack (R) has put his proposed HB 522 on hold after acknowledging issues with the bill, which sought to require insurers to cover the difference in vehicle market value after collisions and mandate the use of OEM-equivalent parts in repairs. The legislation was scheduled for review by the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee but was pulled from consideration. Similar bills addressing OEM parts and repair disclosures are under review in New York (AB 75) and Texas (SB 1429).
• The Montana Senate has overwhelmingly approved SB 356, a bill ensuring that insurance providers cover OEM-recommended safety inspections after vehicle collisions. Sponsored by Sen. Barry Usher (R), the legislation has gained support from major automotive industry players, including Ford, GM, and the Montana Collision Repair Association (MCRA), who argue that adhering to manufacturer safety protocols is critical for consumer protection. However, opponents have voiced concerns about potential cost increases.

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