Small Business
AV Association Releases Report Touting AV Road Record
AV Association Releases Report Touting AV Road Record The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) has released a report that touts the safety record and recent milestones in the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) industry. The report notes that AVs have now driven nearly 70 million miles on roads in the United States. It also notes that the…
Read MoreKentucky Governor Vetoes AV Legislation
Kentucky Governor Vetoes AV Legislation For the second year in a row, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) has vetoed a bill passed by the legislature that would have allowed autonomous vehicles to operate on the roads in the state. The State House passed the bill – HB 7 – on a 61-31 vote, while the…
Read MoreUS EPA Issues Final Rule on Vehicle Tailpipe Emissions
US EPA Issues Final Rule on Vehicle Tailpipe Emissions The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its finalized rule on vehicle emissions. It requires that, across an automaker’s entire fleet, the vehicles’ emissions are reduced 49 percent on average from 2027 to 2032. This rule was initially proposed in the spring of 2023.…
Read MoreFTC to Hold Virtual Informal Hearing on Proposed Rule Prohibiting Junk Fees
FTC to Hold Virtual Informal Hearing on Proposed Rule Prohibiting Junk Fees The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it will hold an informal virtual hearing on April 24, 2024 at 10AM E.T. as part of its review of its proposed rule prohibiting “junk fees.” ASA provided comments to the FTC on this proposal in…
Read MoreBipartisan Lawmaker Duo Explains Flaws in R2R Law in Maine
Bipartisan Lawmaker Duo Explains Flaws in R2R Law in Maine The Democratic Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business in the Maine House of Representatives and a Republican colleague co-authored an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald. In their piece, Reps. Tiffany Roberts (D-District 149) and Amanda Collamore (R-District…
Read MoreU.S. House Passes Bill that could Limit China’s Access to Drivers’ Sensitive Data
U.S. House Passes Bill that could Limit China’s Access to Drivers’ Sensitive Data The U.S. House unanimously approved H.R. 7520, the Promoting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024. This bill would make it illegal for a data broker to sell, lease, rent, trade, transfer, release, disclose, provide access to, or otherwise make available…
Read MoreFTC and DOJ Support Renewing and Adding Exemptions to Copyright Law for Repair Purposes
FTC and DOJ Support Renewing and Adding Exemptions to Copyright Law for Repair Purposes The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) submitted a joint comment to the U.S. Copyright Office in support of renewing and expanding exceptions to copyright law to facilitate the right to repair. An exemption currently exists, for…
Read MoreVirginia Legislature Advances Bill that would Increase Insurers’ Obligation to Act in Good Faith
Virginia Legislature Advances Bill that would Increase Insurers’ Obligation to Act in Good Faith The Virginia House of Delegates’ Courts of Justice Committee: Civil Subcommittee advanced SB 256 with 8 votes in favor and none opposed. It passed the full state senate on a 25-15 vote. If enacted into law, SB 256 would obligate auto…
Read MoreU.S. House Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill Supported by ASA
U.S. House Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill Supported by ASA The United States House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024). It easily surpassed the two-thirds vote threshold needed to pass under the expedited rules. The bill received 357 votes in favor and 70 opposed.…
Read MoreASA Launches “Repair Policy Scan Tool” Legislative Newsletter
ASA Launches “Repair Policy Scan Tool” Legislative Newsletter Lawmakers rely on constituent feedback to make good decisions. Staying informed about the laws they are considering that could impact an auto repair shop owner or operator’s ability to run a successful business empowers repairers to speak up in crucial moments. But it’s hard to keep up…
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