Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: April 18, 2025

what's moving?

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:
• CA AB 872 had a second reading on Apr. 10, 2025. The bill intends to empower the Department of Toxic Substances Control to regulate nonessential consumer products, prioritize actions based on risk, and coordinate with the EPA, without specifying funding or deadlines.
• MO HB 169 had a second reading in the second chamber on Apr. 10, 2025. The bill redefines 'cotton trailer' to allow transportation at speeds up to seventy miles per hour and outlines conditions for securing goods, with violations resulting in a class C misdemeanor.
• NC H882 was referred to House committee on Apr. 10, 2025. The bill establishes producer responsibility for packaging, bans certain toxic substances, and prohibits PFAS in products, with implementation starting in 2025.
• MO HB 42 had its second reading in the second chamber on Apr. 10, 2025. The bill introduces stricter regulations and penalties for transactions involving detached catalytic converters to combat theft and illegal sales, requiring detailed record-keeping and restricting transaction locations.
• RI HB 6205 was referred to House committee on Apr. 9, 2025. The 'Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging and Paper Act' mandates producers to manage the recycling of packaging and paper products, establishes a Producer Responsibility Organization, and repeals certain taxes on beverage containers, with the aim of enhancing recycling and environmental sustainability.

• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:
• TX HB 2963 had a hearing scheduled on Apr. 15, 2025. The Right to Repair Act mandates that electronic manufacturers provide repair resources to consumers and independent repair providers, with penalties for non-compliance, and is effective from October 1, 2025.
• IL HB 349 was referred to House committee on Apr. 11, 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.

FL SB 1132 was placed on Senate calendar on Apr. 9, 2025. The bill mandates manufacturers to provide repair information and tools for portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment, establishing the 'Digital Right to Repair' act, effective July 1, 2025.

state updates

Thirty-seven state legislatures are in regular session. Maine is in special session.

• Oregon lawmakers are weighing changes to the state’s electric vehicle rebate program. HB 3597 would eliminate the Standard Rebate available to all buyers and refocus funding solely on the income-qualified Charge Ahead Rebate. Supporters say the changes would better serve low-income residents, while critics warn they could slow EV sales across the state.
• Legislators in Maine are revisiting the state’s new Right to Repair law following implementation concerns. Five bills introduced this session are seeking to repeal or amend provisions of the data law passed by referendum in 2023, citing cybersecurity risks, legal conflicts, and lack of regulatory oversight. A public hearing was held April 10, but the Joint Committee has not yet voted on the proposals.
• Louisiana is reporting early success with IT fixes to its outdated Office of Motor Vehicles system. Gov. Jeff Landry (R) says software updates implemented last week have stabilized the system after months of outages caused by decades-old technology. The improvements follow a March emergency order directing the modernization of the state’s motor vehicle infrastructure.
• Washington has enacted a new law to curb catalytic converter theft. Effective April 1, ESHB 2153 introduces stricter regulations on the sale and tracking of catalytic converters and provides new enforcement tools to the Washington State Patrol. Prosecutors and lawmakers say the law targets a black market trade that has burdened car owners statewide.

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