Auto Care Weekly State Government Affairs Update: Mar. 30, 2023
Right to Repair and Digital Electronic Equipment are moving this week in the states.
What's Moving:
- Montana HB 255, changing regulations on the sale of catalytic converters - Has passed the House and will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 30.
- Texas SB 1083, which would allow the beneficiary of an insurance policy to select a repair person or facility to repair a damaged vehicle - Will be heard in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on March 30.
- Texas HB 4598, which provides for penalties for catalytic converter theft - Was heard this week in the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, but not action has been taken yet.
- Florida SB 306, the Catalytic Converter Antitheft Act - Has been placed on the Senate calendar to be heard on the floor after passage out of Fiscal Policy with a favorable recommendation.
- Kansas HB 2326, would extend the sunset date on scrap metal theft reduction and add catalytic converters to the act - The bill has passed the Senate and will be sent to the House for committee assignment.
- Idaho H 142, would amend the current law to change penalties for catalytic converter theft - Has passed the Senate this week and will be sent back to the House for final passage.
- Minnesota SF 1598, a digital right-to-repair bill - Has passed out of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and is being read for the second time on the Senate floor.
- Minnesota SF 834, which prohibits PFAS in specified products including automotive maintenance products - Has passed the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee and will be sent to the floor for a vote.
- Missouri HB 37, which amends current law regarding catalytic converter sales and theft - Has been referred to the House Rules Committee this week after passing with a "do pass" recommendation from the Emerging Issues Committee.
- Illinois HB 1527, which would amend current law changing the definition of "disablement technology" - Has been re-referred to the House Rules Committee with amendments.
- California SB 244, a right-to-repair act for electronics and appliances - Has been re-referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee with amendments and will be heard on April 11.
State News This Week:
All states are in session except for Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Louisiana, West Virginia and Virginia.
The South Dakota legislature is convening to consider overturning bills that Governor Kristi Noem (R) has vetoed. So far, the legislature has passed 209 proposals and Governor Kristi Noem (R) has signed 83 bills into law. Most of the bills signed into law have been focused on prison reform and the justice system, as well as changes to election processes.
Idaho's legislative session will continue into next week to consider pending appointments and remaining bills that were backlogged on the legislative calendar.
Legislation We're Tracking
We are currently tracking 182 pieces of state legislation for the Auto Care Association and can provide a full list upon request.
Here are the bills we are watching closely:
|
Statehouse Automobile Reports
Governor Newsom (D) signed a proposal to create the California Energy Commission, which would communicate with oil companies about transparency, and potentially set profit caps and penalties for companies who exceed it. Some members of the GOP argue that a bill like this could raise drivers' gas prices, however, the Governor's office and Democrats believe they are only asking for increased transparency and do not think the bill will have an effect on prices. The Iowa House has passed a measure that would cap lawsuits involving truckers and drivers of commercial vehicles. The House and Senate will go to conference to negotiate differences in versions of the bills. The Senate version, which was passed in February, would cap damages at $5 million in lawsuits. The House version would prevent "nuclear verdicts" for wrongful death or injury lawsuits.
As the legislature adjourns this week, Georgia lawmakers will be working especially hard to get priorities across the finish line. Governor Brian Kemp (R) is looking to make the state the electric vehicle capital of the nation, however both chambers will be voting on electric vehicle proposals this week and potentially will consider a tax on electric vehicle charging stations.
For questions, email govaffairs@autocare.org.
Mike Chung
is director, market intelligence at Auto Care Association. With more than a dozen years of experience in market research, Chung provides the industry with timely information on key factors and trends influencing the health of the automotive aftermarket to help businesses throughout the supply chain make better business decisions. Chung has earned degrees in chemical engineering, environmental health, and business administration. He can be reached at michael.chung@autocare.org.
Welcome to the new YANG Effect! Your one-stop quarterly newsletter for all things Automotive Aftermarket contributed to and written by under-40 industry professionals.
More posts
Market Insights with Mike is a series presented by the Auto Care Association's Director of Market Intelligence, Mike Chung, that is dedicated to analyzing market-influencing trends as they happen and their potential effects on your business and the auto care industry.
More posts