AASP/NJ Applauds Passage of Right to Repair Bill in New Jersey
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) is proud to announce that the New Jersey Assembly’s Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously voted to pass the NJ version of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act at a public hearing for the bill on October 19, 2006. The hearing was held at the state Capital in Trenton.
The New Jersey “Right to Repair Act” gives motoring consumers the ability to choose where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired, whose parts they wish to purchase, even work on their vehicles themselves.
AASP/NJ and CARE (The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality) have led the charge for the bill over the last few years. Supporters who testified on behalf of the bill’s passage included technical expert and Mechanics Education Association (MEA) Director Dave Scaler and AASP/NJ Past President Bob Everett, who has been a key figure in the fight to pass the bill.
“Today’s decision was very encouraging to those of us who are fighting for passage of Right to Repair legislation,” Everett said. “It was great to see so many people showing up in support of the bill, and I think that helped send a message to the committee members about how many people are consistently affected by a lack of information access. I commend the members of the Consumer Affairs Committee on their progressive attitude towards this bill, and hope that they continue to support us as Right to Repair legislation makes its way through the Legislature.”
CARE President David Parde added “Despite misleading and anti-consumer testimony from car company representatives, the Committee today voted for the rights of motoring consumers by unanimously passing the bill.”
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), who introduced the legislation, felt strongly about the ramifications of the bill on consumers as well as repair shops. “This bill just merely creates an even playing field to get your car serviced and repaired,” he said.
Also among those supporting passage for A-931 are: the Service Station Dealers of America, the Tire Industry Association, the American Automobile Association, the Consumer Electronics Association, NFIB, Keystone Automotive, and others.
There are over seven thousand independent repair shops throughout New Jersey. The next stop for A-931 is a second reading on the Assembly Floor. A date has not yet been scheduled.
“We are in this for the long run,” Everett added. “AASP/NJ was there at the start and we will be there at the end. We refuse to let our shops and customers down.”
