Issues

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a July 21 open meeting. On the agenda is: Proposed Policy Statement on Repair Restrictions Imposed by Manufacturers and Sellers: The FTC Act authorizes the Commission to adopt policy statements. The Commission will vote on whether to issue a new policy statement, following the Commission’s “Nixing the Fix” report which was unanimously…

Marty Walsh, the Secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spoke in front of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies regarding the FY 2022 budget for the U.S. Department of Labor. In his submitted statement, the secretary noted that the Department of Labor’s worker…

President Joe Biden signed an executive order this afternoon aimed at promoting competition in the United States economy. Included in this executive order is a directive to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address right to repair issues for owners of farm equipment and small electronics. The order “encourages the FTC to limit powerful equipment…

To date, 37 states have legalized medical or recreational cannabis use for adults. However, testing for drugged driving has remained negligent, which is correlated to an increase in accidents involving impaired drivers. THC can remain in a person’s system for weeks after use, which means there is no real-time test to determine the “intoxication” level…

Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) withdrew his proposed amendment to H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act. The amendment would have “established a right to repair for motor vehicle owners”. Congressman Rush withdrew the amendment prior to debate early this week after it faced opposition from motor vehicle manufacturers. The INVEST in America Act is the…

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) released an order on Tuesday requiring all manufacturers and operators of autonomous vehicles to report crashes to the agency. This requirement will force manufacturers of autonomous vehicles, such as Tesla, to send information regarding crashes to the government. This information has previously been withheld or has been difficult…

After months of negotiation, President Joe Biden has signed off on an infrastructure framework proposed by a bipartisan group of 10 senators. The bipartisan framework, which was led by Senator Kristen Sinema (D-AZ), and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), will include a total $600 billion in new spending for roads, bridges, and other traditional infrastructure.  …

A new section was added over the weekend to the surface transportation reauthorization bill currently making its way through the U.S. Senate. This legislation, which must pass by September 30, when current funding for surface transportation expires, also includes funding for electric vehicles and other transportation programs. The new safety title includes a requirement that…

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee passed the 2021 INVEST in America Act late last night, after hours of debate. The INVEST Act, which is the surface transportation reauthorization, must pass through Congress before September 30, when the previous surface transportation funding runs out. This legislation includes $547 billion for transportation,…