Posts by bsharp@reddingfirm.com
New Tariffs Announced on Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Buses, and Parts
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 Last week, President Trump signed orders creating new tariffs related to medium-duty vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and buses. These tariffs will go into effect on November 1, 2025. Medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles and some of their parts imported from abroad will be subject to a 25 percent import tax.…
Read MoreCA Governor Newsom Signs Bill Restricting Certain Auto Storage Fees
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 987 into law following its unanimous passage in the State Assembly and State Senate. AB 987 will allow insurers to waive responsibility for “unreasonable” storage fees, which the bill defines as including administrative or filing fees, security fees,…
Read MoreUtah Legislature Sends Bill to Governor Exempting Fewer Vehicles from Emissions Inspections
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 The Utah State House and State Senate both unanimously approved HB 1003. It now awaits Governor Spencer Cox’s (R) signature for final passage. If Governor Cox signs HB 1003 into law, fewer vehicles will be exempt from emissions inspections. Currently, vehicles that weigh less than 14,001 pounds are…
Read MoreU.S. Small Business Administration will Relax Job Requirements for its 504 Loan Program
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it plans to change the job creation or sustaining requirements to qualify for a loan under the SBA’s 504 Loan Program. Currently, a small business can qualify for the 504 Loan Program if, among other conditions, the project funded by…
Read MoreCalifornia Delays Start Date for Heavy-Duty Public Fleet EV Mandate by Several Years
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 The California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved changes to its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation that will delay its implementation until 2030. Under ACF, the state must ensure that electric vehicles (EV) comprise all new vehicle purchases for state-owned heavy-duty vehicle fleets. This rule was originally slated…
Read MoreASA Repair Policy Scan Tool Newsletter: September 25, 2025
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 Click here to read the latest edition of ASA’s Repair Policy Scan Tool newsletter. Categories Auto Repair Automotive Parts Clean Air Watch EPA Featured Information Availability Insurance Issues New Vehicle Technologies Replacement Crash Parts Service Information Small Business Uncategorized Vehicle Inspections Vehicle Safety Archives Archives Select Month February…
Read MoreU.S. Senate Confirms President Trump’s Nominees to Lead Federal Vehicle Safety Agencies
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 The United States Senate voted to confirm Jonathan Morrison as the new Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Senate included Morrison’s confirmation within a package of dozens of other presidential nominations in an effort to quicken the confirmation process. The confirmations package received 51…
Read MoreCalifornia Bill Requiring OEMs to Recycle EV Batteries Fails to Pass
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 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)…
Read MoreFederal Departments Publish Joint Workforce Development Strategy
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 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…
Read MoreDEKRA’s 2025 Roadway Safety Report Says ADAS Increases the Need for Periodic Safety Inspections
ASA Driven By Policy Newsletter: February 2026 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)…
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