advocacy

Weekly Legislative Update
October 2, 2023

  • Release Date: October 02, 2023

Right to Repair Heard in U.S. House Subcommittee Hearing
 

On September 27th, the United States Congress House Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce, which is a part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, conducted a legislative hearing focusing on the topic of "Proposals to Enhance Product Safety and Transparency for Americans." During this hearing, particular attention was given to H.R. 906, also known as the "REPAIR Act."

The REPAIR Act is a comprehensive piece of federal legislation with bipartisan support. Its primary objectives are to preserve competition, affordability, accessibility, and a robust supply chain within the independent market. This legislation aims to ensure that vehicle owners have the freedom to choose where they get their vehicles repaired and maintained without facing obstacles from vehicle manufacturers.

This hearing, which spanned nearly three hours, witnessed the active engagement of over a dozen members of Congress, all seeking detailed insights into this widely supported legislation. It marked a significant milestone in the legislative process, shedding light on the crucial importance of the REPAIR Act.

TIA is a strong advocate for the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act (H.R. 906), emphasizing the importance of protecting the right to repair on a national scale.

Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced technology that controls various functions, from brakes and steering to airbags and emission controls. Both vehicle owners and repair facilities require full access to information, parts, and tools to accurately diagnose, repair, or reprogram these complex systems.

Right to repair remains a top priority for TIA members and a national law would provide for much needed clarity and direction in vehicle repair.

The overarching goal is to provide clarity and direction in the realm of vehicle repair, making it a top priority for TIA members and the broader automotive industry.

TIA Presses DOL for More Comment Time on Overtime Plan
 

More than 100 business groups including TIA want more time to provide input on the US Department of Labor’s proposal to update overtime pay regulations, citing the “massive impact” of the rulemaking. 

In a letter sent last week to Wage and Hour Division head Jessica Looman, business organizations including the TIA, Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the National Restaurant Association, and the National Retail Federation, among others, requested an additional 60 days to comment on the proposal. 

 

“Additional time is needed in the comment period to allow the regulated community to analyze the rulemaking, fully assess the potential impact the changes will have on the economy, business operations, and workers, and develop comprehensive comments,” the letter said. 

The proposal, released at the end of August, is estimated to make 3 million workers newly eligible for overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week. Business groups have already warned of potential legal challenges to the future rule, based on litigation over previous attempts to raise the overtime threshold. 

The Biden administration rulemaking would ensure workers making less than about $55,000 annually are automatically owed overtime pay. It would also include automatic updates to raise the salary threshold every three years. 

The proposed rule was released with a 60-day comment period, so if the extension is granted, the public would have 120 days total to provide feedback on the regulation. 

?But pushing the public comment deadline another two months could be risky for the DOL, potentially butting up against the next election cycle. 

If Democrats were to lose the White House in 2024, any policy issued by the outgoing administration could be delayed or canceled all together through another rulemaking or via the Congressional Review Act.