Tire Repair Law in N.Y. Dead, RMA to Continue Push

Tire dealers and tire service shops in the state of New York can breathe a sigh of relief – for now – as controversial tire repair legislation died quietly at the close of June 22.

That is when the state’s most recent legislative session ended, taking with it all unfinished business including proposed legislation that had not made to the full Senate or House. That included the RMA-backed bills – Senate 7082 and Assembly 9683 – that would have effectively forced any company performing repairs on consumer tires to follow accepted tire industry standards.

The potential for tire repair legislation – in New York or any other state – remains, however.

“Our members are very serious about addressing this safety issue,” said Dan Zielinski, senior vice president of the RMA. “However, passing legislation is not an easy task. The legislative process is typically a marathon rather than a sprint, and we were happy to see the New York repair measure pass a Senate committee. Clearly we have some support and hope to capitalize on this year’s progress and push harder next year to get across the goal line.”

Zielinski said that over the next few months, the RMA will be “deciding whether to become involved in additional states” in terms of proposing tire repair legislation.
“I do expect that we will be back again in New York to advocate for tire repair legislation,” he added. RMA got as far as seeing S 7082 passed out of the N.Y. Senate Transportation Committee on June 5 and sent to the full Senate.

“Despite years of effort by tire manufacturers, tire dealer organizations and tire repair materials manufacturers to educate repair shops about proper repair, too many improper repairs are performed. RMA supports these bills and urges New York legislators to enact this legislation,” Zielinski said at the time the bills were introduced.

On June 14, TIA offered amendments to the RMA-backed bills, which effectively turned the RMA version around by legislating against improper repairs. “Unlike the current version that regulates the steps constituting a proper repair, the TIA amendments put the focus on improper tire repair practices such as plugging the tire on the wheel without demounting it for inspection and installing a patch on the innerliner without filling the injury,” TIA said.

TIA’s amendments included changing the name of the bill from the “Proper Tire Repair Act” to the “Tire Repair Act” and removing specific repair steps in favor of a firm statement of what would constitute an improper repair.

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