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Letter to the Editor
Friday June 4
100th Congressman Sponsors Right to Repair Act Legislation
Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., this week became the 100th member of Congress to sign on as a sponsor of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2735), the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has announced."This is an important and exciting milestone in the battle to enact this legislation so critical to the future competitiveness of the independent aftermarket," said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. "We must guarantee that independents have full access to the information and tools necessary to compete with the new car dealers."
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act prevents vehicle manufacturers and others from unfairly restricting access to the information and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair, re-program or install automotive replacement parts. The act would require that the Federal Trade Commission promulgate and enforce regulations that ensure competition in the vehicle repair business.
"While 100 sponsors is encouraging, we need to keep up the pressure at both the national and grassroots level to obtain more congressional sponsors," said Schmatz. "We have worked non-stop with the coalition of supporters since introducing the initial legislation in August 2001."
National organizations that support the Right to Repair Act include:
- Alliance of Automotive Service Providers
- Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations
- American Automobile Association
- Associated Locksmiths of America
- Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association
- Automotive Oil Change Association
- Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association
- Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association
- Coalition for Auto Repair Equality
- Consumers Union
- Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association
- National Federation of Independent Businesses
- Service Station Dealers of America
- The 60 Plus Association
- Tire Industry Association
Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., introduced H.R. 2735 in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 17, 2003. The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and currently has 100 cosponsors. A Senate companion bill (S. 2138) was introduced on Feb. 26, 2004 by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for consideration.
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