The year began with more than 2,600 new bills which have started making their way through the legislative process — here’s where ones affecting auto repair presently stand
Sacramento, Calif.—The State Legislature began the year with more than 2,600 new bills, which have started making their way through the legislative process, and as the session moves forward, the California Autobody Association (CAA) is monitoring the bills, including amendments, and will add to the list. Here’s the CAA’s breakdown of where bills presently stand.
Catalytic Converter Theft Bills
• AB 641 — Catalytic Converters — Makes it a misdemeanor for someone to possess 6 or more used catalytic converters that have been cut from a vehicle unless they are a licensed dismantler. Status: Assembly
• AB 1519 — Catalytic Converters — Makes it a misdemeanor to remove, alter or obfuscate any VIN engraved, etched or otherwise marked on a catalytic converter, or from possessing a catalytic converter that has been so altered. Status: Assembly
• SB 55 — Prohibits a motor vehicle dealer from selling a vehicle equipped with a catalytic converter unless the converter has been permanently marked with the VIN, the vehicle is sold for dismantling or salvage, the vehicle is sold at a wholesale auction or a buyer declines the marking offered by the dealer. Status: Senate.
Career Technical Educational
• AB 290 — Career Tech Education — Increases funding to $450 million each year. Status: Assembly.
• AB 377 — Career Tech Education — Support. Increases funding to $450 million each year. Status: Assembly.
• AB 1189 — Career Technical Education — Requires each school district maintaining grades 7-12, to offer Career Technical Education to all pupils in those grades. Status. Assembly.
• AB 1346 — States the Intent to enact legislation relating to Career Education and Career Guidance. Status: Assembly.
Bureau of Automotive Repair
AB 1263 — Bureau of Automotive Repair — Requires the BAR to send specified newsletters at least three times a year. Place holder for BAR Sunset Review legislation. Status: Assembly.
Employment
• AB 518 — Paid Family leave — Expands the definition of “family member” for purposes of the Paid Family Leave Program to allow workers to take time off to care for a seriously ill designated person. Status: Assembly.
• AB 1100 — Employment Workweek — Concerns. Establishes the 32-hour workweek pilot program. Status: Assembly.
• SB 616 — Paid Sick Days — Modifies employer sick leave and requires an employee have no less than 56 hours of accrued sick leave. Status: Assembly.
• SB 703 — Support. Permits a nonexempt employee to request a flexible work schedule providing up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek without obligation to pay overtime. Status: Assembly.
Hazardous Waste
• AB 407 — Used Oil — Deletes the criterion that used oil not be subject to regulation as used oil under federal law. Status: Senate.
• AB 493 — Relates to the California Oil Recycling Enhancement Act. Status: Assembly.
• AB 1614 — Gas Fueling Stations — Requires State Water Resources to conduct a study on how to phase out the existence of gas fueling stations. Status: Assembly.
• AB 1716 — Hazardous Waste Management — Makes various technical changes to the six unified hazardous waste and materials management regulatory program that are overseen by the Certified United Programs Agencies (CUPAs). Status: Assembly.
Vehicle Batteries
• AB 1579 — Vehicle Batteries — Requires the state, beginning in 2035, to establish a bid specification for the acquisition of motor vehicles and determining the lowest bidder to consider whether the vehicle is equipped with lithium-ion batteries produced with the least environmental impact. Status: Assembly.
• SB 615 — Requires an automotive repair dealer that removes a battery from a vehicle that is still in service to participate in a core exchange program established by the battery supplier and be responsible for either returning a removed battery to the battery supplier or sending it to a qualified facility. Status. Senate.
Zero Emissions Aftermarket
SB 301 — Zero-Emission Aftermarket — Requires CARB to establish the Zero Emissions Aftermarket project to provide an applicant with a rebate for a vehicle that has been converted to a zero-emission vehicle. Status: Senate.
Other Bills of Interest
• AB 473 — New Motor Vehicle Board — Prohibits additional acts by new vehicle manufacturers. Status: Assembly.
• SB 670 — Vehicle Miles Traveled — Requires CARB to develop a methodology for assessing and spatially representing vehicle miles traveled and to develop maps to display average vehicle miles traveled per capita in the state. Status: Senate.
Regulatory
California Energy Commission — Replacement Tire Efficiency Regulations —Concerns
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is in the process of creating new regulations to require all tire retailers including all automotive repair shops to post signs, provide disclosures to consumers who are purchasing replacement tires and take training to sell replacement efficient tires. The automotive repair industry is concerned about the proposed tire regulations and impacts on small businesses. Comments and concerns have been provided to the CEC. CAA will continue to monitor and report.
Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)
• BAR Advisory Group Committee meeting. The BAR Advisory Group Committee is meeting on April 27, in Sacramento. Among, other things, the agenda includes a presentation by the California Energy Commission regarding the proposed tire efficiency regulations. CAA plans on attending the meeting and reporting. See link below for meeting information.
https://www.bar.ca.gov/bar-advisory-group/2023-april
• BAR Regulatory Workshop — Vehicle Inspection Systems Program Regulations. The BAR is also holding a third workshop on April 27, to discuss regulation development for the proposed Vehicle Systems Inspection and Certification Program for salvage titled vehicles. CAA plans in attending the workshop and reporting. See link below for workshop information.
https://www.bar.ca.gov/public-workshops/202304-vehicle-safety-inspection
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