WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine Legislative Bill 1210, regarding Right to Repair legislation, will not be considered in 2007. Maine’s legislative session was scheduled to end June 20,2007. The session was extended for a day and ended June 21 without further action on Legislative Bill 1210. The next session will begin in early January 2008. ME L.B. 1210 was introduced March 8, 2007, by state Sen. Dennis Damon. It was referred to the Joint Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development where it remained until the session ended. The bill would have required an automobile manufacturer to provide the owner or lessee and repair facilities with the information necessary to diagnose, service or repair, certify, and activate or install equipment in a motor vehicle it has manufactured. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) says the group believes such legislation would interfere with the voluntary, industry-supported service information process already in place that protects independent repairers and consumers. Specifically, the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) already provides for the identification and correction of gaps involved in the access of automotive service information, diagnostic tools and equipment, and training. In addition to acquiring information from third-party providers, independent repairers also have access to automaker Web sites to obtain service information. ASA encouraged Maine repair shop owners to contact their state legislators and urge them to oppose L.B. 1210. Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive, also submitted testimony in a public hearing in opposition to the Right to Repair legislation. In recent months, Right to Repair legislation has failed to move forward in both Oklahoma and Florida. Such legislation has also failed in the past few congresses. To learn more about ME L.B. 1210, visit ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com.
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