The U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee had a hearing last week involving discussions around the REPAIR Act, where different groups in the automotive industry were present to make their voices heard.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) released details on Board of Directors Chairman Scott Benavidez’s testimony to the subcommittee during a hearing titled “Proposals to Enhance Product Safety and Transparency for Americans.” 

Benavidez argued that an earlier agreement made with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will ensure that independent shops maintain access to the data they need to operate on newer vehicles, and effectively “nullifies the need for the REPAIR Act.”

“Newer vehicle technologies, with an increasing number of sensors, will present challenges to our shops without access to repair data,” said Benavidez. “That is why, in July of this year, ASA proudly announced it had reached a landmark agreement with automakers that ensures independent repair shops can diagnose and repair their customers’ vehicles without hindrance from telematics nor any other innovation.”

The agreement Benavidez is referencing has been met with great criticism from right-to-repair advocates, who have claimed the agreement does not sufficiently guarantee access to that data.

Also present at the hearing were proponents of the REPAIR Act, such as CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka, who argued that the REPAIR Act will help maintain affordable car repairs and freedom of choice, according to a press release.

Also speaking in support of the REPAIR Act was bill co-sponsor Representative Diana Harshbarger, REPAIR Act lead sponsor Representative Neal Dunn, Representative Lori Trahan, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky.

“The REPAIR Act allows the free market to work by prohibiting competition-busting barriers that vehicle manufacturers use to protect their competitive advantage,” argued Kathleen Callahan, owner of Xpertech Auto Repair. “It will guarantee that our shops, chosen by the vehicle owner, can access the data they need to safely diagnose and repair vehicles today and in the future.”