Arizona Senate Approves Texting While Driving Ban
Forty-seven states have made it illegal to text while driving unless using a hands-free device, and Arizona may be next.
Bill Aimed at Repealing Florida’s No-fault Auto Insurance System Advances in Senate
The bill, which would require vehicle owners to buy bodily injury coverage, was opposed by insurance representatives who predicted premiums and lawsuits would increase, reported the Sun Sentinel.
Ohio Bill Prohibits Installing Unsafe Used Tires
The legislation is supported by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), which has deemed the passing vote as an important step towards consumer protection from worn-out, damaged or improperly repaired used tires.
Christie Signs New Jersey Legislation Prohibiting Sales of Unsafe Used Tires
Championed by Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter and Sen. Nicholas Scutari, the new law imposes a fine on businesses selling tires that exhibit any one of several unsafe conditions, such as worn-out tread, visible damage or improper repairs.
U.S. House Subcommittee Approves Automated-Vehicle Bill
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protections approved a bill aiming to advance the testing and deployment of highly automated vehicles.
Consumer Watchdog Urges Congress to Let States Set Safety Standards for Autonomous Vehicles
As a House subcommittee considered more than a dozen bills proposing various federal standards for self-driving vehicles, the group Consumer Watchdog expressed concern that a federal proposal to pre-empt state safety regulations “would leave a regulatory void without meaningful safety protections.”
Wisconsin Bill Would Allow Collision Repairers to Remove, Replace VIN Labels Without Risk of Prison Time
Under current Wisconsin law, collision repairers in the Badger State risk a maximum $10,000 fine and/or six years in prison if they remove and replace VIN decals from vehicles. However, that might be about to change.
Pennsylvania Bill Would Require VIN Recall Search During Vehicle Safety Inspections
Introduced by state Rep. Madeleine Dean, Pennsylvania House Bill 1182 would require the mechanic to notify the vehicle owner if there is an outstanding recall on the vehicle.
Michigan State Senator Introduces Parts Procurement Bill
Michigan Senate Bill 291 would prohibit insurers from requiring body shops to use specific vendors for parts.
Nevada Bill Would Increase Total-Loss Threshold for Damaged Vehicles to 80 Percent
For a damaged vehicle to be considered a total loss, the actual or estimated cost of parts and labor required to repair the vehicle would have to be 80 percent or more of the vehicle’s retail value.
California Insurers Bemoan State’s New Collision Repair Labor Rates
Two trade associations representing California auto insurers assert that new collision repair regulations are adding to the “skyrocketing repair costs” in the state, and warn that insurers will have no choice but to pass those costs on to consumers.
Orrin Hatch on PARTS Act: Americans Shouldn’t Have to Pay ‘Unreasonably High Prices to Repair Their Cars’
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch has reintroduced a bipartisan bill that would reduce the 14-year time period that OEMs can enforce design patents on crash parts such as bumpers, fenders and door panels against suppliers of aftermarket parts.
