Recent congresses have not been known for bipartisan initiatives. Unique to this analysis has been this fall’s autonomous vehicle (AV) legislation. The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a package of 14 separate bills, titled the SELF DRIVE Act…
Congressional leaders and the administration are…
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Services has passed the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017. This bill, approved along party lines 34-26, replaces the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that attempted to address…
House passes repeal of McCarran-Ferguson Act for health insurers. Two major national issues have pushed insurance reform back in the national spotlight. First, efforts to reform or repeal Obamacare have produced a renewed interest in the repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson…
When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its Federal Automated Vehicles (AV) Policy in September 2016, the focus was on NHTSA issuing a guidance document and its four key sections: vehicle performance guidance; model state policy; NHTSA’s current…
What do the changes mean for the auto repair industry? The final U.S. House and Senate races have been called, and President Donald Trump’s new administration is moving forward with thousands of political appointments. There are some 2.8 million federal…
Increase in traffic fatalities prompts interest in preparing guidelines for federal and state policymakers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released policy guidelines for automated vehicles. Although NHTSA has communicated with the automotive industry and other manufacturers, states…
Pennsylvania legislature considers bill requiring consumer notice. State vehicle safety inspection programs have seen good times and bad since the Highway Safety Act of 1966. This law mandated that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) prescribe uniform standards for mandatory…
FTC workshop cites need for independent shops to get involved in repairs. In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it was expanding and accelerating the recall of Takata air-bag inflators. This…
Senate Committee emphasizes safety, federal regulation and cybersecurity. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, convened a hearing titled “Hands Off: The Future of Self-Driving Cars,” chaired by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. The hearing explored advancements in autonomous…
Panelists question why repairs limited to dealers only. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a one-day public workshop to explore competition and related issues in the context of state regulation of motor vehicle distribution and to promote more informed…
Insurance committee considers ASA position on parts procurement bill. The Michigan legislature is back in session and has insurer-mandated parts procurement legislation on its agenda. Michigan State Sen. Joe Hune, R-22, chairman of the…
How will it impact automotive repair shops? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its new air quality standards for ground level ozone. The level had been established at 75 parts per billion…
At the request of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently conducted a study of state vehicle safety inspection programs. The GAO did a similar review in 1990 at the request of John Dingell, D-Mich.,…
Congress continues examining impact of proposed new EPA regulations. The U.S. Congress continues its oversight responsibility of the Obama Administration’s proposed update of air quality standards for ground-level ozone. The Clean Air Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)…
House subcommittee questions use of postal vehicle maintenance facilities. The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Government Operations Subcommittee held a hearing May 21 on “Issues Facing Civilian and Postal Service Vehicle Fleet Procurement.” There has been much congressional…
Policy proposal presents opportunity for safety improvements. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has prioritized the task of urging states to adopt periodic motor vehicle safety inspection programs in its policy objectives. This action has included annual events on the subject…
Public hearings set for proposed NAAQ ground-level ozone standards. On Nov. 25, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new regulations designed to strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAAQ) for ground-level ozone. According to the EPA, the…
