U.S. House committee to meet next week on Right to Repair legislation

If Congress does not act soon, over 900,000 independent repairers risk being locked out from vehicle data access. Aftermarket is urged to contact policymakers.

Bethesda, Md.—With the current United States Congress coming to a close after this year, the Auto Care Association is urging automotive aftermarket businesses from every part of the supply chain to take immediate action to protect drivers’ Right to Repair by contacting their members of Congress, even if they have done so before.

A House subcommittee hearing on the bipartisan REPAIR Act, a federal Right to Repair bill, was just announced for Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m.

The hearing builds on growing momentum for the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566/S. 1379) from last year, including:

First-time introduction in the Senate, led by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

Support from nearly 50 bipartisan co-sponsors across both chambers, led by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) in the House, with backing also from Reps. Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Brendan Boyle (D-PA) and Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Endorsement from 20-plus organizations, including the Auto Care Association, CAR Coalition, National Federation of Independent Business, and National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, who have urged Congress to incorporate the REPAIR Act into the motor vehicle safety title for surface transportation reauthorization legislation.

Data access is increasingly being restricted

As vehicles become more connected and software-driven, access to repair information is increasingly being restricted. The REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566 and S. 1379) protects access to vehicle repair data and ensures American vehicle owners get to have the final say in: who gets to repair their car; how the car is repaired; and when it can be repaired.

If Congress does not act soon, over 900,000 independent repairers — and the 289 million American drivers they serve — risk being locked out.

“This is a critical moment,” said Auto Care Association President and CEO Bill Hanvey. “Lawmakers need to hear from the industry now. If we wait, it may be too late this Congress.”

Maine governor vetoes bill

Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed LD 1228 on Wednesday, a bill that would have made substantial changes to Maine’s automotive Right to Repair laws and in doing so would have moved the state away from the intent of the 2023 Right to Repair referendum that was approved by an overwhelming majority of Maine voters.

In announcing her veto, Governor Mills clearly stated that the bill, as passed by the legislature, “strays too far from the will of Maine people expressed through the ‘Right to Repair’ Referendum in 2023” and could harm local independent auto repair shops.

Send a letter to legislators in support of Right to Repair