AUGUSTA, Maine (March 11, 2013) — Maine Rep. Bernard L.A. Ayotte (R-District 3) is introducing a version of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act in the Maine House of Representatives.
According to an Automotive Service Association (ASA) press release, the bill—designated House Bill 539—would require auto makers to make available to vehicle owners and independent repair shops the same diagnostic and repair data they make available to their franchised dealers, at fair market price and in a way that does not give unfair advantage to dealers.
The Maine bill follows closely on Massachusetts Right to Repair legislation, which was both passed by the Massachusetts legislature and approved by a wide margin by voters in the 2012 Massachusetts election.
The ASA, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and other associations oppose Right to Repair, while the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, the Tire Industry Association and other groups support it.