New law requires vehicle manufacturers to provide access to service and repair information to independent automotive and collision repair facilities as well as training providers. Legislation in the Australian Parliament to require vehicle manufacturer and other affiliated data providers to make repair information supplied to dealer repair facilities available to independent repairers and training groups […]
CAPA Applauds Introduction of Legislation Limiting OEM Collision Repair Parts Design Patents
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), the independent non-profit standard-setting and certification organization for automotive crash parts, applauded the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act, recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. “The SMART ACT is a win for consumers,” said Clark Plucinski, CAPA Chairman. “The misuse of design patents on parts […]
Maryland Enacts Revised Auto Glass Safety Law
Law specifies use of Auto Glass Safety Council standards for glass replacement. Legislation to revise Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration regulations governing auto glass replacement will become law in October following its passage by the legislature and Governor Larry Hogan allowing it to become law without signing in May. Maryland House Bill 519 revises Subsection G […]
Legislation to Limit Length of Auto Design Patents Introduced in U.S. House of Representative
Bipartisan legislation seeks to reduce collision repair costs by limiting the length of time vehicle manufacturer exterior parts would be protected from competition. Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet in the House Judiciary Committee, announced June 1 the introduction of bipartisan legislation to limit […]
Rhode Island $15 Minimum Wage Bill Signed into Law
Legislation will gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 over four years. Legislation sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. Ana B. Quezada to raise the minimum wage in Rhode Island from $11.50 to $15 over the next four years was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee on May 20, two days after […]
Rhode Island Legislation Seeks to Clarify Paint, Body and Refinish Materials Payment Regulations
Bills specify examples of materials calculators. Requires vehicle owner written consent if insurer not retaining salvage. Prohibits insurers refusing to pay for sublet services. Two bills introduced in Rhode Island seek to update Unfair Claims Practices laws to provide specific examples of materials calculation systems and add a requirement that insurers get written consent from […]
FTC Report to Congress Examines Anti-Competitive Repair Restrictions
Report recommends ways to expand consumers’ repair options, including more enforcement, and use of voluntary agreements between manufacturers and independent repairers. In a new report to Congress, the Federal Trade Commission identifies numerous types of repair restrictions across industries such as mobile phones and automobiles. Concerns raised in the report and by proponents of an […]
Auto Manufacturer Association Tells U.S. Senate Subcommittee AVs and Electrification Critical to Nation’s Mobility Transformation
The association representing vehicle manufacturers said their are four key areas critical to modernizing and transforming mobility, safety and technology and unlocking American innovation and leadership. Alliance for Automotive Innovation President and CEO, John Bozzella, told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports yesterday indentified supply chain development, electrification, […]
NFIB Warns U.S. House Passage of Paycheck Fairness Act Harms Small Business
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) warned that the U.S. House of Representatives passage of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, would create regulatory and legal issues for small businesses that would need to defend differences in pay across employees. In a statement, NFIB Senior Manager of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant said, “The […]
Insurance Association Warns Florida Senate No-Fault Repeal Legislation Could Lead to More Uninsured Drivers
In a statement April 15 issues in response to the the passage of Senate Bill 54 (Motor Vehicle Insurance) to repeal no-fault insurance by the Florida Senate, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) warned the bill would impact lower-income drivers the most and would increase uninsured drivers. Logan McFaddin, assistant vice president of state […]