MA Legislature Eyes Action on Automotive Right to Repair bill
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BOSTON – Following its approval by a legislative committee in May, the
Right to Repair bill is now gaining momentum on Beacon Hill as
legislators consider making Massachusetts the first state in the nation
to adopt the landmark measure. The legislation (HB 4892) would provide
independent repair shops the same access to diagnostic repair
information and tools that car companies made available to their
franchised dealers. That access means that consumers will have a choice
about where to service their cars rather than be forced back to dealer
shops. The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure voted in May to report the landmark legislation out of committee favorably despite an intense lobbying effort by car manufacturers. Co-sponsored by state Rep. Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester, and state Sen. Mark C. Montigny, D-New Bedford, the legislation is picking up support among other legislators across the state. Manufacturers continue to claim – with no basis – that the Right to Repair bill is really an effort by the aftermarket parts industry to “reverse engineer” carmakers’ proprietary parts by gaining access to repair information. The so-called “trade secret” claim is how manufacturers are trying to undermine an effort that is all about getting basic repair information. “We have been clear from the beginning of this process that what we want – and what consumers want – is repair and diagnostic information that many of these manufacturers are selectively withholding,” said Stan Morin, who manages a repair business and serves as the lead advocate for passage of the legislation on behalf of the Massachusetts Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP). “We don’t want or need their trade secrets or any information that could even vaguely be described as proprietary. If they are providing this repair information to dealers, then it isn’t the secret recipe for Coca-Cola and they can provide that information to us.” Joining the Massachusetts Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) in its longstanding support of the legislation (House Bill 296) is the New England Service Station & Automotive Repair Association, Inc. (NESSARA); the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA); and the Central Mass. Auto Rebuilders’ Association. "We want to make sure that our members, and the industry as a whole, retain the ability to locate the information needed to repair all vehicles. We fully support this legislation’s effort to keep the choice of where to have your vehicle repaired in the hands of the consumer,” said NESSARA Executive Director Paul F. O'Connell. “The Massachusetts Auto Body Association fully supports House Bill 4892. This legislation would ensure fair and equitable competition in the marketplace, which ultimately benefits consumers by providing greater choice at lower prices,” said MABA president Ed Boermeester. CMARA President Tom Ricci concurred, saying “it is time to deal with this issue and bring some integrity back into the process. Saying there isn’t a problem doesn’t make the problem go away, and this issue is becoming more serious and affects local jobs and the consumer’s satisfaction.” -end- |
Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition 
