Auto Care Association Applauds Maine Governor Mills for Protecting Right to Repair

BETHESDA, Md. – Jan. 7, 2026 – The Auto Care Association applauds Governor Janet Mills for her thoughtful action today to uphold the will of Maine voters and protect the principles of automotive right to repair. On Jan. 7, 2026, Governor Mills vetoed LD 1228, a bill that would have made substantial changes to Maine’s automotive right to repair laws and in doing so would have moved the state away from the intent of the 2023 right to repair referendum that was approved by an overwhelming majority of Maine voters. In announcing her veto, Governor Mills clearly stated that the bill, as passed by the Legislature, “strays too far from the will of Maine people expressed through the ‘Right to Repair’ Referendum in 2023” and could harm local independent auto repair shops.

The Auto Care Association commends Governor Mills for respecting both the expressed will of Maine voters and the vital role of independent repairers in the state’s economy.

Learn more about the Auto Care Association’s government affairs and right to repair efforts at autocare.org/government-relations.