Independent Auto Shops in Maine Pursue ‘Right to Repair’ Ballot Measure
A right-to-repair ballot initiative is underway in Maine, as members of the state’s Right to Repair Coalition, a group of independent repair shop owners and employees, filed an application for a citizens initiative with the Maine Secretary of State’s office. The initiative asks for a statewide referendum in 2023 that would protect the rights of
Right to Repair Ruling Delayed Again. Here’s How You Can Take Action
More than 18 months after Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure expanding the state’s Right to Repair law to include data access for vehicle owners, the voter-approved changes remain in limbo, as of the beginning of July. Douglas Woodlock, a judge with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, issued a notice
Proposed Legislation Would Give Tax Deduction for Buying Retreads
Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) recently introduced the Commercial Vehicle Fleet Retreaded Tire Utilization Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2022, legislation that would provide a tax deduction to consumers who purchase retreaded tires. According to Bandag, the number of tires retreaded annually has fallen from 20 million to 15 million due to an influx of cheap
Auto Care Association Applauds Passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act
The Auto Care Association says it applauds the enactment of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), which was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. The Auto Care Association says its members have been burdened with onerous shipping delays and costs due in large part to the actions of ocean shipping companies.
What TIA Is Watching In Washington
TIA says it continues to monitor two big pieces of legislation that could see movement this summer from the privately owned and small business perspective. The first of these items is a yet-to-be-negotiated new iteration of the “Build Back Better” legislation. The Build Back Better Act provides funding, establishes programs, and otherwise modifies provisions relating to
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky Orders GAO Right to Repair Study
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, chair of the consumer protection and commerce subcommittee, recently wrote a letter to the General Accounting Office (GAO) requesting examination of competition and cyber security issues related to access to in-vehicle data. The Auto Care Association says it strongly agrees with Schakowsky’s statement in the letter that “when manufacturers take steps
USTMA Supports Decision To List 6PPD As A Priority Product
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association announced that it supports the proposed rulemaking released by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to designate 6PPD in automobile tires as a priority product for review under the state’s Safer Consumer Products green chemistry program. USTMA and its member companies recommended adding 6PPD to the Priority Products Work Plan immediately
Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) Co-Sponsors REPAIR Act
U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) has co-sponsored the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (REPAIR Act). Introduced in February 2022 by U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) to provide consumers rights to their vehicle’s repair and maintenance data and safeguard a free and fair repair market, the REPAIR Act (H.R. 6570) is the
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) Joins Auto Care Association Discussion
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) joined Texas-based auto care industry CEOs for a meeting to discuss the critical issues facing the auto care industry and to share what Congress is doing to address them. Senator Cruz is a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which controls the fate of Right to Repair legislation in the
Massachusetts Right to Repair Court Case Decision Delayed
According to the Auto Care Association, the United States District Judge Douglas Woodlock issued a notice informing of a delay to provide a decision on a ‘Right to Repair’ court case due to “unforeseen and unforeseeable circumstances, principally involving supervening but insistent writing responsibilities in other matters.” While the decision was scheduled for March 7,
Survey Finds Americans Support Right to Repair
Consumer Reports released findings from a nationally representative survey about consumer attitudes toward repairing and replacing broken products and the choices available to them. A strong majority of Americans expressed support for policies that would help ensure consumers have the ability to repair their own products or to have them repaired by the servicer of
USTMA Urging Congress For Sustainable Infrastructure
As the Biden administration begins implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is urging congressional leadership to continue working on tire policy and related transportation sustainability initiatives. While the IIJA includes several provisions that would advance scrap tire markets and improve the resiliency of the nation’s infrastructure,
