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Right to Repair Movement Made Strides in 2023, Looks Forward to 2024 As 2023 comes to a close, the CAR Coalition is looking back on key milestones in the effort to pass the federal REPAIR and SMART acts, as well as state bills that would address the right to repair issue.
majority—more than 80%—of Mainers voted “yes” on the state’s automotive right to repair referendum, adding momentum to the growing national push for right to repair protections.
Credit: Shutterstock.
December: REPAIR and SMART Act co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Sophie Shulman, warning that the agency’s proposed guidance for implementation of Massachusetts’ Data Access Law might unfairly harm independent repairers. November: Members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce unanimously voted to advance the REPAIR Act to the full committee for consideration. Less than a week later, an overwhelming
October: At a White House National Economic Council (NEC) roundtable, key administration officials, state legislative leaders and industry representatives—including Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, NEC Director Lael Brainard and Allstate’s Senior Vice President Don Jones, representing the CAR Coalition—highlighted growing bipartisan support for right to repair protections. September: During a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing, lawmakers and auto industry professionals expressed their support for federal right to repair legislation like the REPAIR Act. Earlier that month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
42 YEARS
Vol. 42 / Issue 2 / February 2024 REGIONAL NEWS
Oklahoma Auto Body Association Hosting Inaugural Trade Show The Oklahoma Auto Body Association (OKABA) is hosting its first major event, Feb. 2-3 at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, OK. This Trade Show and Education Forum brings a host of relevant and exciting industry information to Tulsa. The event kicks off the evening of Feb. 2 with a Vendor Social Event. Attendees can meet with vendors and check out new equipment and ideas for the future of their shops. To add to this vendor experience, OKABA is making this a comedy late night feeling with nationally known comedian Billy D Washington, who has performed on HBO Comedy Festivals, BET and “Last Comic Standing.” Feb. 3 is packed full. The Trade
Show is open all day to facilitate attendees’ participation in the education programs and the vendor show. The world class education brings keynote speaker Allison Massari, burn survivor and top speaker for motivation and personal development. The luncheon topic will be “Triumph Through Change.” On her website, participants claim her programs are life-changing, and OKABA is bringing her to Tulsa. Massari will be speaking on the showroom floor, so everyone will be part of this great presentation. Rounding out the significant education program are well-known industry names. l CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
REGIONAL NEWS
Repairify Institute Opens First Training Facility in Texas The Repairify Institute’s first Center of Excellence technician training facility is now open in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Chris Chesney, vice president of training and organizational development for Repairify, Inc., made the announcement Jan. 11 on LinkedIn. “In the midst of a technician shortage heavily affecting our industry, it’s never been more important to provide opportunities for
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Artist rendering of the first Repairify Institute Center of Excellence
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 20
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PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA
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Columnist Mike Anderson: Increase Your Auto Body Shop’s Closing Ratio by Countering Customer Concerns Columnist Toby Chess: You Can Teach Old Dogs New Tricks
Columnist Stacey Phillips: CCC Brings in 2024 With New AI Solutions, Google Collaboration Columnist John Yoswick: Unique Collision Repair Training Program Shows Results
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