Attorney General, repair shops push bill to implement Maine's right-to-repair; automakers warn of cybersecurity risks
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Summary
LD2211 would implement unanimous recommendations of an AG-led working group that followed the 2023 voter-initiated right-to-repair law. Supporters say it preserves consumer choice and local repair jobs; automakers and dealers urged stricter limits on direct access and raised cybersecurity and litigation concerns.
Representative Chip Curry opened the public hearing for LD2211, saying the bill implements recommendations of the Automotive Right to Repair Working Group convened by the Attorney General’s Office. Chris Taub, chief deputy attorney general, testified that the bill largely reflects unanimous working-group language and is intended to make the 2023 voter-approved law workable.
"In November 2023, over 84% of Maine voters approved an initiated bill," Taub said, adding LD2211 largely removes an independent third-party entity and creates a motor vehicle right-to-repair commission under the attorney general to advise and monitor implementation. Taub said the bill clarifies enforcement authority and allows the attorney general to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
Witnesses for independent repair shops and the aftermarket said the bill preserves Mainers' ability to choose repair providers and protects local jobs. "LD2211 represents a fair and measured approach to vehicle right to repair issues where all voices can be heard," said Jeffrey Groves, who represented aftermarket interests and served on the working group.
Industry representatives, including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and dealer associations, opposed aspects of the bill. Wayne Weichel of the Alliance said the bill could enable "direct access" pathways that raise cybersecurity and safety concerns and compared the proposal to litigation-plagued models in other states. "Every single one of these connections, every single repairer, will now be a potential hack site," he said.
Other witnesses described technical points before the committee: the bill corrects drafting errors in model-year language, adds a definition for owner-authorized independent repair facility, replaces an "and" with an "or" for allowed compliance methods, and delays a telematics access requirement until 09/01/2027 to give manufacturers more time.
Committee members asked about the provenance of the added definition and whether changes in drafting alter the working-group intent. Taub and supporting witnesses said the changes are drafting or clarifying edits except for the delayed effective date and the added definition, which Taub said was sensible though not part of the working-group text. Automakers urged the committee to refine any language that could be read to require direct command-and-control access to vehicle systems rather than mediated access through OEM servers.
The committee closed the public hearing after extensive testimony from repairers, aftermarket vendors, dealerships, and the attorney general's office. No final committee vote on LD2211 was recorded in the transcript.