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Automotive industry, repair shops clash in Economic Matters hearing over HB 843 right-to-repair bill
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Summary
Delegate Kevin Hornberger told the House Economic Matters Committee that HB 843 would require automakers to make repair information, telematics and diagnostics available to independent repair shops and consumers.
Delegate Kevin Hornberger presented House Bill 843, a proposal he said would “protect consumers' rights to decide where and with what parts they can use to repair and maintain their vehicles.” Hornberger told the House Economic Matters Committee the bill would give independent repair shops and aftermarket-parts providers access to vehicle telematics, diagnostic tools and repair information at a fair price.
“This legislation protects consumers' rights to decide where and with what parts they can use to repair and maintain their vehicles,” Hornberger said in his opening remarks.
Supporters included Kirk McCauley, who spoke for service stations, convenience stores and automotive repair shops, arguing the measure would preserve consumer choice once factory warranties expire. “When the warranty's up, the consumer ought to have access to the repair shop that they want to use,” McCauley said.
Industry groups representing automakers and franchised dealers urged the committee to reject HB 843 or to proceed cautiously. Josh Fisher of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation said automakers already provide independent repair shops “all the information needed to diagnose and service a vehicle” and pointed to the Massachusetts right-to-repair law and a national memorandum of understanding (MOU) established in 2014 and updated in 2023.
“Automakers already make available to independent repair businesses all the information needed to diagnose and service a vehicle,” Fisher said during testimony.
Leaders of dealer associations and regional auto groups likewise said the memorandum of understanding and recent national agreements address telematics and repair access; they argued a state-level statute could produce inconsistent rules across states and risk legal and operational complications. Dealer representatives also emphasized that warranty arrangements between manufacturers and franchised dealers involve negotiated pricing for tools and parts, and said requiring identical pricing for third parties could interfere with existing franchise agreements.
Committee members pressed both sides on whether specific providers fail to share data. One member raised a recent dispute reported between Safelite and Subaru over windshield systems; automaker and dealer witnesses said they would investigate and follow up with details. Several members questioned whether a state statute was necessary where national agreements and federal initiatives are in play.
The committee did not take a roll-call vote on HB 843 at the hearing. Members heard multiple witnesses for and against the measure and asked staff to gather additional information, including details about which manufacturers participate in the national MOU and what gaps remain.
