Vehicle Safety
Missouri Bills Pre-Filed Ahead of Legislative Session would Impact Auto Repairers
test title State legislative lawmakers in Missouri have already introduced a number of bills that could impact automotive repair shops directly or indirectly if they become law. Missouri’s next legislative session doesn’t start until January 8, 2025, but the state allows their legislators to “pre-file” bills before the session begins, which makes it easier for…
Read MoreMaine Right to Repair Working Group Debates Suggestions it should Provide to the Legislature
test title The Maine Right to Repair Working Group met this week to review a draft report with legislative suggestions that the Maine attorney general would send to elected officials in the state legislature. The attorney general is required by law to submit the report to the legislature by February 28, 2025. At issue in…
Read MoreASA Leaders Provide Insight on Rising Cost of Auto Repairs in Wall Street Journal Article
test title ASA Board Chairman Scott Benavidez and Incoming Chair Dan Stander provided insight on the causes behind the rising costs of automotive repairs in an article published today in the Wall Street Journal. The owners of Mr. B’s Paint and Body Shop in Albuquerque, NM and FIX Auto Highlands Ranch in Littleton, CO, respectively,…
Read MoreU.S. Department of Commerce Proposes Ban on Chinese Auto Hardware and Software used in Vehicle Connectivity Systems
test title The United States Department of Commerce has proposed a rule that would ban imports of Chinese vehicles as well as automotive hardware and software components involved with an automobile’s vehicle connectivity systems (VCS). VCS allows vehicles to communicate externally through Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi telematics. Some U.S. government officials have expressed concern…
Read MoreBill Introduced that would Bar DOT from using Chinese LiDAR
test title A bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from engaging with LiDAR technology affiliated with the Chinese Government. Specifically, the “Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act” would prohibit DOT from: Procuring LiDAR from a covered company. Contracting with entities using LiDAR from…
Read MoreCalifornia Legislature Passes AV Bill Similar to one Vetoed by Governor Last Year
test title The California Legislature passed a bill – AB 2286 – that would prohibit heavy duty vehicles autonomous vehicles (AVs) from driving on roads in the state unless a licensed operator is present in the vehicle. The bill is very similar to a bill that Governor Newsom vetoed last year. The bill passed in…
Read MoreU.S. DOT Unveils Plans for V2X Deployment
test title The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled plans for the deployment of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology on roadways in the country. Titled, “Saving Lives with Connectivity: A Plan to Accelerate V2X Deployment”, the plan “will guide the implementation of vehicle-to-everything technologies across the nation and support USDOT’s commitment to pursue a comprehensive approach to…
Read MoreFederal Agency Issues Warning on Substandard Aftermarket Airbags
test title The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a consumer alert regarding substandard replacement airbag inflators that have killed three people and severely wounded two others. In its alert, NHTSA explained that these defective parts were installed after the vehicle in which it was installed was involved in a crash, replacing the OEM…
Read MoreRhode Island State Senate Passes Pro-OEM Parts Bill
test title The Rhode Island State Senate passed a bill 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 non-OEM parts on vehicles that are less than 48 months beyond their manufactured…
Read MoreNY Bill Would Require Safety Inspection Update Study
test title A bill introduced in the New York State Legislature – Assembly Bill (AB) 8190/ Senate Bill (SB) 9436 – would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to “conduct a study to examine and update the requirements of safety inspections conducted on motorcycles, gasoline, zero emissions and alternative fuel vehicles to ensure safety and…
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