Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: March 21, 2025

what's moving?

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:

  • OR HB 3512 had a hearing scheduled on Mar. 13, 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.

  • NV AB 407 was referred to committee on Mar. 13, 2025. The legislation requires OEMs to provide repair resources for certain products, with exemptions and liability protections, effective January 1, 2026.

  • HI SB 1120 was reported by committee on Mar. 20, 2025. The legislation mandates the establishment of a clean fuel standard in Hawaii to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, with a feasibility study due by 2027 and implementation rules by 2028, aiming for significant carbon intensity reductions by 2045.

  • TX HB 1713 was referred to House committee on Mar. 14, 2025. The legislation increases penalties for damaging electric vehicle supply equipment, classifying it as a third-degree felony, effective September 1, 2025.

  • NM HB 212 was reported favorably by committee on Mar. 18, 2025. The bill would regulate and phase out products containing PFAS in New Mexico, with specific timelines for prohibitions, mandatory disclosures, and penalties for noncompliance.

  • VT H238 had its first reading in the second chamber on Mar. 19, 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.

  • MO HB 799 had its first reading in the second chamber on Mar. 13, 2025. The legislation updates Missouri's motor vehicle laws by enhancing privacy protections, revising registration and inspection requirements, and introducing voluntary donation options for vehicle registration applicants.




• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:

  • MD HB 31 passed the House on Mar. 17, 2025. The legislation requires powered wheelchair manufacturers to provide repair resources to independent providers and owners, amending existing law to classify non-compliance as a deceptive trade practice, effective October 1, 2025.

  • WI AB 135 was referred to Assembly committee on Mar. 13, 2025. The legislation mandates that motor vehicle manufacturers provide unrestricted access to repair data and tools, prohibits certain mandates on parts and equipment, and imposes penalties for non-compliance, while allowing necessary cybersecurity measures.

  • VT H.319 was referred to House committee on Mar. 18, 2025. The bill would extend by a year the date by which an assessment of the end-of-life management of certain battery types shall be conducted and requires the battery stewardship organization in the State to complete the assessment instead of the Agency of Natural Resources.

  • IL HB 3677 was placed on House calendar on Mar. 19, 2025. The Complex Wheelchair Right to Repair Act requires manufacturers to provide repair resources for complex wheelchairs and amends insurance and public aid codes to facilitate repairs and ensure health benefits, effective January 1, 2026.

  • TX SB 2748 was filed on Mar. 13, 2025. The legislation mandates that vehicle manufacturers provide unrestricted access to vehicle-generated data and repair information to owners and relevant parties, prohibits certain manufacturer-imposed barriers, and establishes penalties for non-compliance, effective September 1, 2025.

  • MN SF 2484 was referred to Senate committee on Mar. 13, 2025. The legislation expands the Digital Fair Repair Act to include motorcycles, requiring manufacturers to provide repair resources to independent providers and owners under fair terms, with specific provisions on availability, liability, and applicability.

  • OR HB 3512 had its first reading in the second chamber on Mar. 13, 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.

  • RI HB 5017 passed the House Mar. 18, 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.




• Bills on Education and Workforce

  • OK HB 1092 had its first reading in the second chamber on Mar. 13, 2025. The legislation establishes a tax credit for individuals certified by Oklahoma trade schools, effective November 1, 2025, with specific eligibility criteria and a carryover provision for unused credits.

state updates:

Forty-six state legislatures are in regular session.

• Five Maine legislators raised concerns about telematics language in the state’s Automotive Right to Repair Working Group report, questioning its definition, necessity for repairs, and potential data-sharing requirements. Chief Deputy Attorney General Christopher Taub clarified that manufacturers would only need to provide diagnostic and repair-related telematics data, as future vehicles may lack traditional OBD ports, making wireless access essential for independent repairs. The committee will now begin drafting legislation to enforce Right to Repair regulations and establish an independent oversight entity.

• Virginia’s plan to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure has come to a standstill, with 51 of 53 projects frozen after a federal directive halted funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The decision, outlined in a Feb. 6 letter from the DOT, is part of President Donald Trump’s broader review of federal transportation program. Virginia House Transportation Committee Chair Karrie Delaney (D) urged the state to challenge the decision in court, saying “blocking funds dispersed by Congress doesn’t save taxpayer money” and will leave Virginia struggling to meet the growing demand for EV charging.

• One-time vehicle title fees, normally paid when during the purchase of a new vehicle, would increase by $120, or more than 70%, in Wisconsin under Gov. Tony Evers' (D) budget. The governor says the increased fees would generate nearly $282 million for transportation improvements over two years. Republicans are unlikely to approve the increases as part of the state budget, calling the proposal "just another terrible idea."

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