Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: May 1, 2025

what's moving? 

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:
• MO HB 799 was referred to committee on Apr. 28, 2025. The bill revises Missouri's transportation laws, focusing on vehicle registration, inspection, and licensing, with new provisions for veterans' plates and a modernized vehicle administration system, contingent on technological feasibility.
• NV AB 407 was referred to Senate committee on Apr. 29, 2025. The bill requires OEMs of mobility devices for individuals with disabilities to provide repair documentation and tools to independent repair providers and owners, prohibits certain OEM practices, and classifies violations as deceptive trade practices.
• CO SB25-163 was passed by the Senate on Apr. 29, 2025. The bill establishes a battery stewardship program in Colorado, requiring producers to manage battery disposal and recycling, with compliance deadlines starting in 2026, and sets performance goals and penalties for non-compliance.
• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:
• CO HB25-1330 had a second reading in the second chamber on Apr. 29, 2025. The 'Entanglement Exception Act' exempts quantum computing and sensing devices from Colorado's 'Consumer Repair Bill of Rights Act,' effective January 1, 2026, unless challenged by a referendum.
• TX HB 2963 was reported favorably by committee on Apr. 25, 2025. The bill mandates that manufacturers provide independent repair providers and owners with access to necessary repair resources for digital electronic equipment, with specific exclusions and liability limitations, effective September 1, 2026.
• Bills on Workforce and Apprenticeships

TX HB 3651 was scheduled for a hearing on May 1, 2025. The legislation allows Texas high schools to offer an elective course on automobile maintenance starting in the 2025-2026 school year, covering practical vehicle maintenance skills and safe working practices.

state updates

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

• Tesla is suing the state of Wisconsin over its decades-old ban on direct-to-consumer vehicle sales, arguing the law unfairly protects traditional car dealerships and blocks competition. The legal fight could reshape how cars are sold in the state, and comes as Tesla pushes to convert its Madison and Milwaukee galleries into fully licensed dealerships.
• The DoT has announced a new national framework for regulating autonomous vehicles, aiming to streamline safety standards, cut red tape, and prevent a patchwork of state laws. The plan modernizes federal safety rules, expands exemptions for domestic AVs, and positions the U.S. to better compete with China in autonomous tech innovation.