MaineLD 2211132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Automotive Right to Repair Working Group

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger enforcement for vehicle repair rights

The law creates a 12-member Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Commission appointed by the Governor. It monitors compliance, tries to resolve owner and repair-shop complaints, and refers unresolved matters to the Attorney General. It must notify the Attorney General when it has reason to believe a manufacturer broke the law. The Attorney General can also act independently and seek court orders and civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. Owners and owner-authorized independent shops can sue over denied access and recover three times their damages or $10,000, whichever is greater. The commission includes three manufacturer representatives and three independent repair-shop representatives, with heavy-duty vehicle representation in both groups. Manufacturer seats include an association representative; repair-shop seats include an owner or operator. It also includes one representative each from parts manufacturing, diagnostic-tool manufacturing, parts distribution or retail, and new vehicle dealers. One automotive cybersecurity expert and one Maine-resident public member fill the remaining seats; the public member chairs the commission. Members serve three-year terms, with staggered initial appointments, and meet at least quarterly. The commission can recommend best practices, seek privacy input, and designate technical experts to help enforcement. The Attorney General can support it using existing resources. Reports go to the Governor, Attorney General, and legislative business committee by January 15, 2028, and annually afterward. Reports cover activities, compliance problems, and recommended changes; the committee can consider legislation that same year.

More repair access for vehicle owners

Maine law requires standard vehicle diagnostic systems that owners and independent repair shops can access. Manufacturers can require approval only through a standard process across all makes and models they sell in Maine. For model year 2002 and newer vehicles, manufacturers must make repair tools, parts, software, and components available on fair and reasonable terms. These must offer the same capabilities available to authorized repair shops, including what is needed for a full repair. Manufacturers can supply repair information through licensed scan-tool and service-information providers or their own online systems; supplying qualified providers satisfies that duty. Direct subscription access must offer daily, monthly, and yearly options. For model years 2002–2017, owners and shops they authorize get the same on-board repair information access and updates as dealers. For model year 2018 and newer vehicles, dealer-level information and updates must work with an ordinary computer and specified standard interfaces or integrated systems. An independent shop needs the owner's permission to access that vehicle's data for diagnosis or repair.

Vehicle owners control wireless repair data

By September 1, 2027, manufacturers using telematics—systems that send vehicle data remotely—must equip vehicles sold in Maine with a standard access platform. The platform must work across makes and models and securely give owners mechanical and diagnostic data through a mobile app. Owners can authorize an independent repair shop or licensed dealer to access the same data available to authorized repair shops. Access lasts for the repair or another period the owner agrees to. The platform must support sending data and commands to vehicle components when needed for maintenance, diagnosis, or repair.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Glenn Curry
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 108 • No: 70

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS REPORT

Yes: 32 • No: 2

House vote • 4/2/2026

ACC MAJ OUGHT TO PASS REP

Yes: 76 • No: 68

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 660
4/13/2026
PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/6/2026Senate
PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/6/2026House
Reports READ.On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the Majority Ought to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 726(Yeas 76 - Nays 68 - Absent 6 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Senate Amendment "A" (S-616) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-616) In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/2/2026House
Reports READ. On motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo The Majority Ought to Pass Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 843 Yeas 32 - Nays 2 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 READ ONCE. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME On motion by Senator FARRIN of Somerset Senate Amendment "A" (S-616) READ and ADOPTED PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Senate Amendment "A" (S-616) Sent down for concurrence
4/2/2026Senate
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/10/2026House
Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
2/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

Amendment S-A (S-616), adopted by House & Senate
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Enacted
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Introduced
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