U.S. Legislative Updates
Right to Repair Act Introduced
Representatives Todd Platts (R-PA) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) have introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act. HR 1449 requires the manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold, leased, or otherwise introduced into U.S. commerce to: (1) provide to the vehicle owner and service providers all information necessary to diagnose, service, maintain, or repair the vehicle; (2) offer for sale to the vehicle owner and service providers any related tool or equipment; and (3) provide the information that enables aftermarket tool companies to manufacture tools with the same functional characteristics
Legislation Would Require On-Board Recorders
U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) have introduced legislation to improve highway safety by requiring commercial truckers to use devices that accurately monitor their hours on the job. The Commercial Driver Compliance Improvement Act (S 565) requires universal installation of electronic on-board recording devices in commercial motor vehicles. The Department of Transportation will be responsible for issuing regulations within 18 months of the bill's enactment, as well as setting design and performance standards for the devices. The tamper-resistant devices must be capable of communicating with the engine's control module, identifying the individual operating the vehicle, recording driving time, providing real-time recording of a vehicle's location and enabling law enforcement to access the information contained in the device during roadside inspections.
Natural Gas Incentives Legislation
Representatives John Sullivan (R-OK), Dan Boren (D-OK), John Larson (D-CT) and Kevin Brady (R-TX) have introduced the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2011 (HR 1380). The NAT GAS Act aims to boost the use of natural gas fuel in the transportation sector by offering limited tax credits to encourage the production and purchase of NGV's. The bill provides incentives for the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel; the purchase of natural gas fueled vehicles; and the installation of natural gas vehicle refueling property. Each of these incentives would be in place for five years.