Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: Feb. 27, 2025

what's moving?

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:

  • SD SB 93 was passed on Feb. 26, 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 reported favorably by committee on Feb. 26, 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 referred to House committee on Feb. 26, 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.

  • RI HB 5017 had a hearing scheduled on Feb. 21, 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.

  • WA SB 5091 was scheduled for a hearing on Feb. 21, 2025. The legislation revises Washington State's motor vehicle emission standards to align with federal guidelines, prohibits adopting California's standards, updates vehicle registration and emission testing requirements, and repeals the mandate for California certification, without specifying new funding or deadlines.

  • NY S.5663 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 26, 2025. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework for managing electric and hybrid vehicle batteries in New York, mandating producer responsibility for collection and recycling, setting recycling targets, and creating a special fund to support these efforts.

  • 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.

  • MO HB 42 was reported favorably by House committee on Feb. 26, 2025. The legislation amends Missouri law to regulate transactions involving scrap metal and detached catalytic converters, requiring detailed record-keeping, setting penalties for violations, and outlining specific transaction conditions and exceptions.

  • NM HB 310 was reported by committee on Feb. 25, 2025. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework for the responsible management of electric vehicle batteries, prohibiting landfill disposal and assigning specific responsibilities to battery providers, secondary handlers, and recyclers, with an effective date of January 1, 2027.

  • UT SB 133 was referred to House committee on Feb. 25, 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.

  • VT H.319 was referred to House committee on Feb. 25, 2025. The legislation amends environmental regulations to extend deadlines, shift responsibilities for battery management, clarify fuel delivery conditions, revise hazardous waste and paint stewardship programs, and enhance flood safety and wetland management, with significant funding for the Healthy Homes Initiative and a focus on public education and environmental safety.

     

• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:

  • FL HB 807 was referred to House committee on Feb. 26, 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 referred to House committee on Feb. 27, 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 was referred to House committee on Feb. 21, 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.

  • MT HB 813 was referred to committee on Feb. 27, 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.

  • AK SB 111 was referred to Senate committee on Feb. 26, 2025. The legislation requires digital product manufacturers to provide independent service providers and owners with necessary repair resources, amends consumer protection laws, and takes effect on January 1, 2026.

  • MT SB 509 was referred to committee on Feb. 26, 2025. The bill, titled the Agricultural Embedded Software Act, ensures that embedded software in agricultural equipment does not restrict its use or sale, mandates the provision of necessary software and tools to owners and independent repair providers, and prohibits practices that inhibit part functionality, with enforcement starting January 1, 2026.

  • IL HB 1909, the Agricultural Equipment Repair Bill of Rights Act, was referred to House committee on Feb. 25, 2025. The bill requires manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and owners with access to necessary repair resources for agricultural equipment, while ensuring fair terms and protecting trade secrets, without altering existing contracts or allowing illegal modifications.

  • WV HB 2847 was referred to House committee on Feb. 24, 2025. The bill, titled the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to provide repair resources to owners and independent repair providers, promoting repair choice and competition, effective July 1, 2025.

state news

Forty-seven state legislatures are in regular session.

• Wisconsin has become the 50th state to introduce a right to repair bill this year, marking a milestone for right to repair. While only six states have passed laws so far, 20 more are actively considering legislation this session, reflecting growing bipartisan support despite resistance from major manufacturers.

• The Maine Automotive Right to Repair Working Group has finalized recommendations for an advisory oversight body to monitor the state's right to repair regulations. While automakers and independent repair shops remain divided over data access provisions, the Maine legislature is expected to consider new right to repair legislation based on the group's findings.

• North Carolina’s Wake Tech University is expanding its apprenticeship and automotive programs, including EV training, to prepare students for high-demand jobs in North Carolina’s economy. As the Trump administration audits federal EV charging funds, state leaders like Gov. Josh Stein (D) have called for a need for careful oversight without disrupting progress in workforce development.

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