BETHESDA, MD -- The Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) was reintroduced to Congress yesterday. This time, the bill includes new language clarifying what would be the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) role in enforcement of the legislation, as well as clarified language on car company trade secrets.

Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), which spearheaded and actively lobbies for the Right to Repair campaign, commented on the news.

“Early introduction of the legislation in the 109th Congress reflects a sense of growing support within the aftermarket industry and on Capitol Hill,” said Schmatz. “Rep. Barton expressed optimism that the bill would pass this session when he addressed aftermarket businessmen at the recent AAIA Aftermarket Legislative Summit.”

The legislation would require the car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independents that they provide their franchised dealer networks. Architects of the Right to Repair Act added new language to clarify that car company trade secrets are protected unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealer. New language also provides more detail on the role of the Federal Trade Commission’s role in enforcing the legislation.

“The bill was never intended to steal the car company proprietary information, as opponents continually allege, however the language changes should help provide the car companies with the confidence that they will only be required to provide the information and tool capabilities that they had committed to in their September 2001 letter to Congress,” said Schmatz. “Passage of this legislation will ensure that the car company promises to make information available are actual commitments over the long term”

“There never has been a better opportunity to pass this legislation than during the 109th Congress,” said Aaron Lowe, AAIA vice president of government affairs. “In the last Congress we succeeded in signing 118 cosponsors and received a very favorable hearing by the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of House Energy and Commerce. In order to continue this momentum and achieve our goal of enactment during this Congress, all aftermarket companies are urged to write their elected official urging them to sign on as sponsors of the legislation.”

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