Auto Care Association State Government Affairs Update: June 20, 2025

what's moving?

• Bills on Electronic and Appliance Product Repairs; Regulations:
• CA SB 712 was referred to Assembly committee on June 16, 2025. The bill fully exempts motor vehicles at least 35 model years old, with historical plates and collector insurance, from California’s smog check requirements starting January 1, 2027.
• VT H.238 was signed by the governor on June 13, 2025. The new law phases out the use of intentionally added PFAS in a wide range of consumer products, tightens regulatory thresholds, mandates reporting and compliance, and sets a timeline for eliminating PFAS and fluorine-treated containers to protect public health and the environment.
• RI HB 6053 was placed on Senate calendar on June 18, 2025. This act strengthens consumer protections in insurance claims by raising the total loss threshold for vehicles, requiring insurers to compensate for industry-recommended repair procedures, and expanding the definition of unfair claims practices to ensure fairer and more transparent settlements.
• CA SB 615 was referred to Assembly committee on June 18, 2025. The bill creates a statewide system requiring responsible end-of-life management, reporting, and recycling of electric vehicle traction batteries, funded by battery suppliers and overseen by the Department of Toxic Substances Control, to support California’s environmental and circular economy goals.
• RI HB 6207 was passed by the House on June 20, 2025. This act requires Rhode Island to conduct a comprehensive statewide analysis and stakeholder-driven planning process for implementing a beverage container redemption and recycling program, with key reports due in 2026.
• Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:
• ME LD 1228 was sent to the governor on June 18, 2025. The amendment replaces the independent entity with a new Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Commission, clarifies and strengthens requirements for manufacturer compliance and access to vehicle repair information, and mandates equal telematics access for independent repairers and owners, thereby supporting consumer rights and independent automotive repair businesses.

RI HB 5017 was placed on Senate calendar on June 18, 2025. This act requires powered wheelchair manufacturers to provide repair information and tools to consumers and independent repair providers, prohibits prior authorization for repairs, and ensures ongoing service access, thereby expanding consumer rights and repair options for wheelchair users in Rhode Island.

state updates

Thirteen state legislatures are in regular session. Maine is  in special session.

• The New York State Senate passed the Consumer Wheelchair Repair Act, a bill that seeks to shorten long wait times and curtail monopolized repair services for powered wheelchair users. The bill would require manufacturers to provide parts and tools to users and independent repair shops. The legislation now heads to the Assembly for approval.
• Maine’s legislature has approved LD 1228, a bill clarifying the state’s 2023 right-to-repair law for vehicle data access, and it now awaits Gov. Janet Mills’ signature. The law establishes a state commission and reworks technical language to comply with federal standards while preserving consumer access to independent car repair. Critics argue the bill undermines the original voter-approved referendum; the referendum passed with 84% support.
• President Trump signed legislation revoking California’s authority to enforce zero-emission vehicle rules, sparking immediate legal action from the state and ten others. Trump called California’s mandates “a disaster,” while Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the move as an “illegal assault” on clean air and climate leadership. California is doubling down, issuing new executive orders to uphold its EV transition regardless of federal mandates.

Washington state has passed a new law requiring reckless drivers to install intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices to regain driving privileges. The tech caps a vehicle’s speed to posted limits. Washington now joins Virginia and Washington, D.C., in adopting this high-tech road safety measure.

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