Vehicle Safety
US 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 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 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 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…
Read MoreRhode Island Bill would Redefine “Unfair Insurance Practice” in Insurers’ Favor
Rhode Island Bill would Redefine “Unfair Insurance Practice” in Insurers’ Favor A bill – known as S. 2210 – introduced in the Rhode Island State Senate would make it harder to hold insurance companies liable for unfair insurance practices. Under the state’s current law, failure to have a licensed appraiser conduct an appraisal on a…
Read MoreAV Bill in Washington State Scheduled for Jan. 30 Hearing
AV Bill in Washington State Scheduled for Jan. 30 Hearing A bill introduced in the state of Washington’s legislature would create a new comprehensive regulatory framework that allows autonomous vehicles (AV) to operate on roads in the state without a human driver. Currently, AVs may only operate in the state under limited testing purposes. The…
Read MoreRhode Island Bill would Limit Insurers’ Ability to Deny Coverage for OEM Repair Parts
Rhode Island Bill would Limit Insurers’ Ability to Deny Coverage for OEM Repair Parts A bill was introduced in the Rhode Island Legislature that would restrict insurance companies’ ability to refuse to cover OEM repair parts in certain situations. Under the current law in Rhode Island, insurers are not allowed to require the use of…
Read MoreNHTSA Begins Effort to Require Impaired Driving Prevention Tech in New Cars
NHTSA Begins Effort to Require Impaired Driving Prevention Tech in New Cars The United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has formally launched an effort to require that drunk or impaired driving prevention technologies come standard in new vehicles. In its advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency requests the public’s…
Read MoreU.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws
U.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws United States Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have sent a letter to Elon Musk following a report from Reuters on Tesla vehicles’ safety flaws. In their letter, the Senators note that, “[t]he report details complaints about suspension connection points, including fore and aft…
Read MoreU.S. Senate Bill would Weaken Federal Insurance Office’s Authority
U.S. Senate Bill would Weaken Federal Insurance Office’s Authority A bill titled the “Insurance Data Protection Act” (S. 3349) introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) would restrict the Federal Insurance Office’s (FIO) ability to collect information directly from insurance companies. It would also rescind the director of FIO’s subpoena authority. Housed…
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