WASHINGTON (Oct. 15, 2015) — The Ohio Senate's Transportation, Commerce and Labor Committee held a second hearing on Oct. 14 for legislation that would extend the jurisdiction of the state's Motor Vehicle Repair Board (MVRB) to include mechanical repairers.
Under current law, only collision repair facilities are required to register with the MVRB. The loophole for mechanical repairers has allowed “backyard” operators to undercut legitimate businesses by avoiding compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) laws and Ohio's environmental standards, according to the Automotive Service Association (ASA). The trade group said there is an uneven playing field in the marketplace between these shade-tree operators and law-abiding shop owners “because many of these ‘backyard' shops do not pay taxes or workers' benefits.”
If enacted, Senate Bill (SB) 37 would ensure that all automotive repair professionals in Ohio are adhering to a uniform set of service and safety standards, the ASA said.
The association “strongly supports” the legislation and is encouraging Ohio's mechanical repairers to visit the ASA's Taking The Hill legislative website, click “Alerts,” then select “Ohio — Ohio Legislature Considers Mechanical Registration.” The ASA is suggesting members send a letter to state legislators in support of S.B. 37.