Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: October 13, 2023

by Tod Moore, manager, advocacy and grassroots

what's moving?

Massachusetts H. 3295 was scheduled for a hearing on October 17, 2023. The bill would establish safety standards for motor vehicle safety glass via amendments.

Massachusetts H. 3580 was scheduled for a hearing on October 25, 2023. The bill establishes guidelines that regulate and address PFAS contamination levels for public health and environmental purposes.

California SB 271 was vetoed by the governor. The bill requires original manufacturers of powered wheelchairs to provide documentation, parts, software, and tools for servicing to owners and independent repair providers.

California AB 473 became public law. The bill would expand regulations for the motor vehicle industry, adding prohibitions against specific practices, e.g. improper vehicle allocation and unfair exercise of right of first refusal.

California AB 126 became public law. The bill extends the increase in smog abatement fees, vehicle registration fees, and identification plate service fees until July 1, 2035. It also modifies the Clean Transportation Program's emphasis on developing and deploying zero-emission technology and fuels.

California AB 641 became public law. This bill broadens the definition of an "automobile dismantler" to include individuals possessing nine or more used catalytic converters that have been removed from vehicles.

California AB 727 was vetoed by the governor. The bill would prohibit the manufacturing, sale, delivery, distribution, and offering for sale of cleaning products containing regulated PFAS beginning in 2026. The bill would extend this prohibition to floor sealers or finishes containing regulated PFAS beginning in 2028.

California SB 244 became public law. The bill mandates that manufacturers of electronic or appliance products, regardless of warranty status, must provide access to repair information and parts to consumers, repair facilities, and dealers.

state news this week

Seven state legislatures are in regular session. Texas is in special session.

This Saturday, Louisiana voters will head to the polls for statewide elections. Among the races is Louisiana’s gubernatorial election, with two-term Governor John Bel Edwards (D) ineligible for re-election due to term limits. The frontrunners for governor are state Attorney General Jeff Landry (R) and former Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson (D). If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election will be held on November 18.

Texas legislature began this past Monday, called by Governor Greg Abbott (R) with the intention of passing school vouchers. However, leaders can’t see eye-to-eye on funding for both vouchers and public schools, leading to uncertainty.

Virginia is set for a state election in less than a month, with all 140 of its legislature seats at stake. The election will likely provide insights into the 2024 political landscape; Democrats only have a slim majority in the Virginia Senate, and Republicans only have a plurality of seats in the Virginia House of Delegates.

statehouse automobile reports

California has long been a state resistant to speed cameras. But that may change as a bill allowing a trial of speed cameras arrives on Governor Gavin Newsom's (D) desk. With pedestrian deaths on the rise, advocates hope the legislation will help improve road safety, while opponents are concerned about privacy.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law regulations that require companies making more than $1 billion in revenue to disclose their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. This would include emissions related to transportation. The law follows a streak of legislation aimed at lowering carbon emissions in the state, but the law has faced pushback from lobbying groups like the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed House Bill 4353 into law. The bill allows the Michigan Department of Transportation to designate HOV lanes on newly constructed highways.

About section background | Auto Care Association

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.

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