2015 House Bill 4344

Revise regulation of auto repair shops

Introduced in the House

March 12, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R-106)

To revise many details and definitions in a law that imposes a “registration” mandate on motor vehicle repair facilities. House Bill 4343 would authorize fines for failing to register a facility. Among other things the bill would prohibit a repair shop from replacing a part with one not made by the vehicle's maker without customer notice and permission.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

May 12, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 17, 2015

Amendment offered by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-66)

To delete a section that prescribes details of what kind of replacement parts repair facilities may use.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Feb. 10, 2016

Amendment offered by Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-56)

To replace the allowable replacement parts provision deleted by the Nesbitt amendment, but modify it to only apply to parts replaced on a vehicle that is still under warranty.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-56)

To replace the allowable replacement parts provision deleted by the Nesbitt amendment, but modify it to only apply to parts replaced on a vehicle that is still under warranty, which could be waived at the owner's request.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 84 to 22 (details)

To codify into law a comprehensive regulatory regime that is currently imposed on vehicle repair facilities through administrative regulations, including a state registration mandate. The bill also revises some details and definitions in these requirements. Among other things the bill would prohibit a repair shop from replacing major parts on newer vehicles with one not made by or certified as equivalent to original parts installed by the vehicle's maker.

Received in the Senate

Feb. 11, 2016

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

April 12, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 17, 2016

Amendment offered by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-37)

To revise certain complaint-related record-keeping requirements imposed on repair shops.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 33 to 4 (details)

To codify into law a comprehensive regulatory regime that is currently imposed on vehicle repair facilities through administrative regulations, including a state registration mandate. The bill also revises some details and definitions in these requirements. Among other things the bill would prohibit a repair shop from replacing a major part on a newer vehicle with one not made by the vehicle's maker, which has been criticized as protectionism benefitting the Big Three and other car makers.

Received in the House

May 17, 2016

May 31, 2016

Amendment offered by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R-106)

To permit a repair shop to install parts that are not made by the vehicle maker if the customer directs this to be done in writing.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 86 to 23 (details)

To codify into law a comprehensive regulatory regime that is currently imposed on vehicle repair facilities through administrative regulations, including a state registration mandate. The bill also revises some details and definitions in these requirements. The bill was amended late in the process to permit repair shop from replacing a major part on a newer vehicle with one not made by the vehicle's maker, if the customer directs this to be done in writing. Note: Previous descriptions of this vote here and on Votespotter did not make this last detail clear. The version of the bill that originally passed the House and Senate would have prohibited mechanics from using non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts on newer vehicles, but with its adoption of the Pettalia amendment, the House allowed non-OEM parts to be used at the customer's discretion.

Received in the Senate

June 1, 2016

Passed in the Senate 33 to 3 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Received in the House

Sept. 7, 2016

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure