The Ohio Legislature is considering legislation that would require mechanical repairers to register with the state’s Motor Vehicle Repair Board (MVRB). Under current law, only collision repair facilities are required to register with the MVRB.
The Ohio Senate’s Transportation, Commerce and Labor Committee held a second hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 37 Oct. 14th. If enacted, S.B. 37 will extend the jurisdiction of the MVRB to include mechanical repairers.
According to the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the fact that mechanical repairers have historically not been required to register has allowed “backyard” operators to undercut legitimate businesses by avoiding compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) laws and Ohio’s environmental standards. Because many of these backyard shops do not pay taxes or workers’ benefits, ASA states that there is an uneven playing field in the marketplace between these operators and law-abiding shop owners. S.B. 37 would ensure that all automotive repair professionals are adhering to a uniform set of service and safety standards.
The ASA strongly supports this legislation. ASA is encouraging Ohio’s mechanical repairers to visit ASA’s legislative website, www.TakingTheHill.com, click “Alerts,” then select “Ohio – Ohio Legislature Considers Mechanical Registration” and send a letter to state legislators in support of S.B. 37.
