[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mr. Brownback):
  S. 3181. A bill to protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, 
service, maintain, and repair their motor vehicles, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, I am proud to join Senator 
Brownback in introducing bipartisan automotive right to repair 
legislation.
  Our bill, the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act, allows 
consumers the freedom to choose which repair shops they use for auto 
repairs and routine vehicle maintenance.
  Consumers today have many choices when it comes to the vehicle they 
drive, but not necessarily when it comes to the maintenance or repair 
options for those vehicles.
  Most cars today rely on computers to perform many of the automobile's 
vital functions including brakes, airbags, ignition and other operating 
systems.
  If an electronic component of a car fails or needs tuning, an access 
code is often needed in order to repair or replace the necessary part. 
These codes are currently provided on a voluntary basis to repair shops 
by car manufacturers.
  Unfortunately, many local independent repair shops are provided only 
limited or incomplete information by manufacturers to access and repair 
most elements of those vehicles. This lack of information puts 
consumers at a disadvantage, forcing many to pay premium prices to 
repair simple parts at dealerships or travel long distances to reach 
repair shops that take valuable time away from families and work.
  There are over 219,000 employees working in over 26,000 independent 
repair shops in California, providing those workers with good paying 
jobs. In this economy, we can't afford to disadvantage small businesses 
working hard to support their families.
  The Boxer-Brownback bill will require car manufacturers to provide 
all information and tools necessary to diagnose, service, maintain and 
repair a motor vehicle, including all safety alerts, access codes and 
recalls. This information must be provided to all repair shops, not 
just dealers or manufacturers' designated shops.
  Our bill also protects the integrity of manufacturers' concepts and 
systems by not requiring manufacturers to make public any information 
that is entitled to protection as a trade secret.
  As cars become more complex and expensive to repair, consumers 
deserve to have choices when it comes to repairing their auto vehicles. 
This bill provides consumers that choice, while ensuring small 
businesses have the information they need in these difficult economic 
times.
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