Issues
The California Legislature opted not to pass Senate Bill (SB) 615, which would have required an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer to recycle its EV batteries that are no longer in use and pay for all expenses associated with ensuring the battery’s proper end-of-life management. Governor Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed similar legislation in 2024. Under SB…
The United States Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education published a joint report detailing the Trump Administration’s strategy and plan to address workforce shortage issues through workforce development. The plan places a heavy emphasis on the Registered Apprenticeship program. The Trump Administration aims to add one million more apprentices to the country’s workforce. The federal…
DEKRA–a Europe-based automotive testing, inspection, and certification company–released its Road Safety Report 2025, which it has titled, “Changing the Face of Mobility.” The report asserts that innovation in the automotive sector has significantly improved roadway safety. However, new technologies present new safety challenges. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles (AV) represent two such…
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new guidance to on-road and off-road vehicle diesel-powered vehicle manufacturers that will give drivers more time to get their engines fixed. Since 2010, the EPA has required the use of diesel exhaust fluid for diesel vehicles to combat smog. When the vehicle needs to be replenished…
The Pennsylvania House’s Transportation Committee voted 26-0 to advance HB 649, which would give drivers more time to complete required repairs and inspections on vehicles deemed to be operating in an unsafe condition. Under current law, a police officer or other qualified employee of the state can determine that the condition of a vehicle makes…
In Rhode Island, insurers can no longer force drivers to accept total loss settlements for vehicles for which the repair costs don’t exceed 80 percent of the vehicle’s pre-collision value (actual cash value/ACV). In other words, the consumer can demand the insurer pay for the repair if the repair is less than 80 percent of…
United States Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) introduced legislation that would make it possible for automotive repairers to receive compensation from the federal government for helping them confront catalytic converter theft. S. 2238, also known as the “PART (Preventing Auto Recycling Theft) Act,” aims to tackle catalytic converter theft in several ways.…
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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy testified before the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in mid July as part of the committee’s departmental oversight responsibilities. During the hearing, Secretary Duffy discussed a wide range of topics, including electric vehicles (EV), autonomous vehicles (AV), and other areas of importance to the independent auto repair community.…
Before returning home for Congress’ August recess, the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee advanced legislation aimed at supporting small businesses in rural areas. S. 1703, also known as the Rural Small Business Resilience Act, would require the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience to take necessary actions to ensure…