• Enactment of GOP’s Big Beautiful Bill with Electric Vehicle Implications
• Automakers Push Competing Right-to-Repair Legislation
• New Developments Related to Heat Illness Rulemaking
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Issues Brake Failure Warning for Select Volvo Vehicles

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

PAMA is pleased share with its members that yesterday, the REPAIR Act (S. 1379), was introduced in the United States Senate by Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Josh Hawley (R-MO). The Senate bill, which would protect the ability for consumers to control their vehicle data and cement the abilities of PAMA members to provide maintenance services without OEM interference, comes on the heels of a companion REPAIR Act bill introduced in the House earlier this year. The House bill, H.R. 1566, is led by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA). The introduction of a Senate-led bill lends additional credibility to PAMA’s ongoing advocacy efforts in Washington and increases the likelihood that auto right-to-repair legislation may pass this Congress. PAMA will continue to keep its members apprised on the latest developments relating to the bill and urges its members to reach out to their congressional representatives and request that they support the REPAIR Act (S. 1379/H.R. 1566)!

Please see below for PAMA’s quote, provided by Justin Ciallela, in the bill’s press release:

“PAMA's member companies and independent automotive maintenance shops around the country play a vital role, ensuring that consumers have access to timely and cost-effective repair options for their automobiles,” said Justin Cialella, former PAMA President and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “We commend and applaud Congressman Dunn for his leadership on the REPAIR Act, a critical milestone in our industry's effort to protect consumers rights, preserve a fair marketplace with regard to vehicle telematics, and combat deceptive marketing practices."

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

Read the official press release to learn more: https://www.automaintenance.org/page/RepairActReleaseFebruary25

• What to expect in the early days of a Trump 2.0 Administration 
•  PAMA files comments on OSHA’s Heat Illness and Injury Prevention Rule 
• Status update on federal & state right-to-repair efforts 
• Federal “midnight” rulemakings in the waning hours of the Biden Administration 
• And More!

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

• Federal & State Right-to-Repair Updates
  •  Right to Repair is Heating up in 2025

• New Automotive Vehicle OEM Standards & Proposals 
• Federal Labor Policy Update  
  •  Dept of Labor Overtime Rule Gets Invalidated—What you need to know.  

• NHTSA Issues Final Whistleblower Rule 

•  Federal PFAS Update 
  • Final Rule Amending Regulations Announced 
    
• California Vehicle Emissions Standards 
  •  Supreme Court Weighs in and EPA Grants California Waivers 

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

• DC Fly-In Recap
• Election Recap & PAMA Policy Outlook
• Right-to-Repair Updates
• State Actions – California Bureau of Automotive Repair
  • Readiness Monitor Limits 
  • Tear Down Disclosure Requirements for Automotive Repair Dealers
  • Omnibus Clean Up of Related Regulations 
• Heat Illness Prevention Rules – Federal & State
• FTC Virtual Workshop on Predatory Pricing

• Federal PFAS Update

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

• November Federal Elections Preview

• State Minimum Wage Hikes

• State and National Heat Illness Standards

• Right-to-Repair Updates

- Federal PFAS Update

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

Watch the Recording NOW!

• National Right-to-Repair Legislation Update
• DOL Tax Exempt Employees Wage Rule
• Electric Vehicles (EV) Activity
• Federal PFAS Update

Members, please log into your account to read the update. 

PAMA supports an effort by a colation of New York operators who seek a review of inspection fees and regulations. The fees for safety inspections are set by the state and have not had adequate adjustments in nearly 20 years. To download a support letter to submit to the relevant representative, please click the link below.

DOWNLOAD SUPPORT LETTER TEMPLATE BY CLICKING HERE

*Feel free to customize with your own company header and address.

You can mail a physical copy of your signed letter to:

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

ATTN: Rebecca Wood

6 Empire Plaza

Albany, New York 12228-0001.

Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. For indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness. Some of the requirements include providing water, rest, cool-down areas, and training.

Additional requirements, where feasible, apply where the temperature reaches 87 degrees such as cooling down the work area, implementing work-rest schedules, and providing personal heat-protective equipment. Where workers wear clothing that restricts heat removal or work in high radiant heat areas, the additional requirements apply at 82 degrees.

Employers may be covered under both the indoor and outdoor regulations if they have both indoor and outdoor workplaces. For more information, see the Comparison Chart of Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Standards.

Local and state correctional facilities as well as emergency operations directly involved in the protection of life or property are exempted from the regulation for indoor heat. Cal/OSHA is in the process of developing an industry-specific regulation for local and state correctional facilities to protect their workers from indoor heat hazards. In the interim, for these exempted employers, Cal/OSHA will continue to inspect potential indoor heat violations under existing regulations such as the Injury and Illness Prevention Program ( Title 8, Section 3203) and Water Supply (Title 8, Section 3363). 

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers and workers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can  call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424. 

There are more resources for employers and workers on Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention web page and the 99calor.org informational website, as well as a Heat Illness Prevention online tool. The advisory includes a toll free number for workers who have questions about heat illness prevention in indoor and outdoor places of employment can speak with a Cal/OSHA representative, 1-833-579-0927, and information on how to file confidential complaints with  Cal/OSHA district offices about workplace safety and health hazards.

• The Federal Trade Commission & Deceptive Trade Practices

• Public Research Interest Group files lauded petition for rulemaking to create a Right to Repair regulation.
• FTC proposes to create a service fee disclosure rule that would impact how shop-related fees can be charged

• New federal “Beneficial Ownership Information” disclosure requirement kicks in this year—find out if you’re covered.

• Potential engine defect alert for Mazda models with engine problems blamed on aftermarket oil filters.

Members please log in to read the latest government affairs update. 

• H.R. 906, the “REPAIR” Act, passed the House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee by voice vote last week without adding certain undercutting amendments opposed by PAMA, the American Alliance for Vehicle Owners’ Rights, and the CAR Coalition.
• Members operating in Maine: Vote “YES” on Maine Right to Repair Ballot Question 4 on November 7^th.
• New information request for PAMA’s Hyundai/Kia oil drain plug defect petition research: Are customers arriving for service with loose plugs?
• 2022-2023 Nissan Rogue plastic pan oil drain plug-out cases are adding up.

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

• Remember when Hyundai/Kia blamed engine knock on non-OEM oil filters? Here’s the latest on Kia’s rampant engine knock & excessive oil consumption problems:
  • Kia finally joins Hyundai in publishing a connecting rod bearing clearance test-related TSB.
  • Kia owners have until November 4th to get a free Knock Sensor Detection Update or they will not be eligible for engine damage protection per recent class action settlement.
  • Kia issues “silent recall” on models with the Lambda 3.3L GDI engine, which may have a faulty oil pressure switch.
  • Want to see all of that in one place? PAMA’s working red flags chart gives the big picture of Kia engine problems often blamed on aftermarket parts and services.
• PAMA seeks additional clarification from Connecticut Commissioner of Motor Vehicles regarding amendment requiring that aftermarket service providers provide OEM recall information to consumers.

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

• AOCA submits 5^th update for the Hyundai/Kia oil drain pan assembly defect petition raising the complaint total to 166.
• OSHA issues new Hazard Alert for heat—Be ready!
• Ticking, clicking, tapping, and other engine problems in 2020-2022 Ford Super Duty vehicles with the 7.3L engine, like the Ford F-450, blamed on aftermarket oil filters.
• California
  • The California Privacy Protection Agency opens an investigation into automakers’ collection of vehicle data.
  • The California Bureau of Automotive Repair creates an online license printing option for ARDs.

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

• Automotive Service Association signs agreement with Automakers while Massachusetts AG continues to wrestle with the Alliance for Automotive Innovators and NHTSA.
• 14 new Hyundai/Kia defective oil drain pan assembly cases—one citing a dealer claiming a “weld crack” defect.
• Red flags prompt a hard look at the 2018-21 Chevy Silverado 1500—is there a defect, maintenance issues, or both?
• AOCA joins the National Part 279 Coalition to protect the federal used oil management standards against EPA’s upcoming amendments.

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

• Automakers lose motion for temporary restraining order against Massachusetts Attorney General’s enforcement of Right to Repair Vehicle Data Law but NHTSA steps in to protect them.
• Hyundai/Kia Service Reminder: The OEM oil filter kits have a potential defect, and their updated TSB indicates a problem with the filter cannister itself.
• NCWM Focus Group on Transmission Fluid Labeling Update—Are your shop container labels and customer receipts in compliance?

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

• AOCA submits fourth set of cases to NHTSA on the petition for defect investigation against Hyundai/Kia oil drain pan assemblies.
• Speaking of oil drain pan defects, do some late model Nissan models have one too?
• California Fast Lube operators are organizing a response to DTSC’s refusal to acknowledge the statutory Hazardous Waste Generator Fee Exemption for certified used oil collection centers. If you qualify, contact info@aoca.org asap to get involved.

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

The Texas State Inspection Association (TSIA) warns that pending legislation – HB 3297 – will eliminate the $7 safety inspection fee collected by safety and emission station owners. It is critical to call your state representatives and urge them to VOTE NO on HB 3297. Find your representatives easily at Who Represents Me? (texas.gov).

TSIA has provided these talking points for your calls:

• Ask for your state representative or their chief of staff, tell them you are a constituent in their district (advise them of the location of your business)

• You are opposed to HB 3297 and explain to them what it would do to your business if safety inspections were to go away in your own words

• The bill would eliminate safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles and impose a replacement fee.

• Talk about the vehicles that fail inspection at your station.

• Bald tires and bad brakes can go bad very quickly and by not checking them will not keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

• High risk of misapplication and Magnuson Moss violations due to Subaru switching to identical drain plugs for engine oil and CVT fluid in 73 recall-impacted models.
  
• Center for Auto Safety hosts podcast on AOCA’s petition for defect investigation of Hyundai/Kia oil drain pan assemblies.
• Illinois & Indiana Attorneys General ask Congress to pass Right to Repair legislation.
• California Fast Lubes meeting May 8th at iFLEX in Las Vegas.

AOCA members can click here to view this month's You Auto Know

Sacramento – March 27, 2023

(Excerpt) - "The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) has augmented its petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for defect investigation of Hyundai/Kia oil drain pan assemblies to include three sets of case submissions (July 2022, January 2023, and March 2023) totaling 137 complaints from consumers to NHTSA, consumer forums online, and aftermarket automotive maintenance experts. The cases submitted cover the following models..."

click links below for full documentation

Download PDF of Press Release Here

Download Supporting Documentation Here