The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). “This rule brings long-needed clarity for American workers and employers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “Sharpening the test to determine who is an independent contractor under the Fair […]
Interview, Bob Redding, Automotive Service Association Washington Representative
Redding examines Federal legislation impacting the industry in the wake of the 2020 general election. Examines prospects for coronavirus relief and background of Right to Repair debate on vehicle data access. In the wake of the election day in early November, the automotive service and collision repair industries will see new legislative and regulatory changes […]
NHTSA Seeks Public Comment on Automated Driving System Safety Principles
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comment on the potential development of a framework of principles to govern the safe behavior of automated driving systems (ADS) in the future. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) was submitted to the Federal Register on November 19 and is […]
NADA and SEMA Among Groups Raising Concerns on California Gas-Powered Car Phaseout
Both the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) raised concerns with the announcement last week of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order to require all new vehicles to emit zero-emissions by 2035. The California New Car Dealers Association and Alliance of Automotive Innovators had previously raised concerns about the impact […]
California Governor Announces Plan to Phase Out Gasoline-Powered Cars by 2035
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he will aggressively move the state further away from its reliance on climate change-causing fossil fuels while retaining and creating jobs and spurring economic growth – he issued an executive order requiring sales of all new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035 and additional measures to eliminate harmful […]
Global Alliance for Vehicle Data Access Letter to Auto Manufacturers Raises Concerns on Vehicle Data Control
Disagrees with Auto Alliance position calling for Federal intervention in state vehicle data access regulations. In an open letter to vehicle manufacturers, the Global Alliance for Vehicle Data Access (GAVDA), a group of global stakeholders and united by a goal of maintaining control by motor vehicle owners over personal and vehicle-generated data, detailed their disagreement […]
PPG Launches Waterborne Refinish System in China
PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that its automotive refinish business in China launched a new waterborne coating system consisting of an epoxy primer, primer surfacer and clearcoat. The system complies with new environmental and volatile organic compound (VOC) standards in China that will take effect in December 2020. “PPG is at the forefront of compliance […]
Department of Labor Revises Regulations to Clarify Paid Leave Requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The revisions made by the new rule clarify workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the FFCRA’s paid leave provisions, in […]
Rhode Island Reinstitutes Requirements for Physical Inspection of Collision Repair Claims Following Reopening
Insurance regulator will resume enforcement of regulations requiring physical inspections on claims over $2500. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Insurance Division announced it will resume enforcement of physical inspection requirements that had been paused in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. On July 1, the Division updated its Bulletin Number 2020-2 that had […]
California Regulation to Eliminate Diesel Trucks by 2045
The California Air Resources Board adopted a first-in-the-world rule requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024. By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission. “California is an innovation juggernaut that is going electric. We are showing the world that we can move […]