Issues
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 lawmakers to…
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 the report…
Click here to read the latest edition of ASA’s Repair Policy Scan Tool newsletter.
ASA is partnering with the TechForce Foundation on a survey that could help auto repairers recruit and retain the next generation of highly trained technicians. The industry needs auto repairer shops to help with finding technicians and students who will complete the survey. Click here to access the survey Why this survey is so important:…
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, Benavidez and…
The Michigan State Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 867 on a 38-0 vote last week. It now awaits consideration in the State House. State Senator John Cherry (D) originally introduced SB 867 earlier this year for the primary purpose of making it easier for auto repairers to operate auxiliary facilities. Under current law, repair shops…
The United States Treasury Department has announced that it is awarding $75 million across fourteen states to support state-run programs that help small businesses access credit. The funding comes from the State Small Business Credit Initiative’s (SSBCI) Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP). This competitive grant program aims to connect underserved and very…
Click here to read the latest edition of ASA’s Repair Policy Scan Tool newsletter.
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 that adversarial…
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 a covered…