NYS Seal

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Testimony by Invitation Only

SUBJECT:
S.7302/A.6634-A - Establishes the "New York state consumers' Right to Repair Act of 2010"

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this hearing is to (1) assess the availability of information necessary for the diagnosis, service, and repair of motor vehicles; (2) acquire information regarding the current manner in which automobile dealers and independent repair facilities diagnose, service, and repair motor vehicles; (3) gauge the impact this bill may have on consumer ability to obtain access to adequate and competent motor vehicle diagnoses, service, and repair; (4) understand the impact this bill may have on the aftermarket parts industry; and (5) determine if the agreement between the Automotive Service Association and the automakers in 2002 adequately guarantees the availability of information necessary for the diagnosis, service, and repair of motor vehicles.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
New York State Legislative Office Building
Van Buren Hearing Room A, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY

Contradictory claims have been made regarding the access to information necessary to diagnose service and repair a motor vehicle and whether both independent automobile repair shops and service centers within automobile dealers have equal access. Legislation similar to S.7302/A.6634-A, commonly called "Right to Repair" legislation, has been introduced in many states and on the federal level. At this hearing the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and the Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection will receive testimony regarding the current state of the motor vehicle repair industry and consider what measures are needed to protect the safety and fair choice of consumers.

Additionally, this hearing will examine the impact and effectiveness of the 2002 agreement between motor vehicle manufacturers and the repair industry to guarantee the supply of diagnostic and repair information to auto repair businesses and determine the need for legislative intervention in this arena.

The Committees would like to hear from representatives from government, consumer groups, motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle repair shop owners and technicians, motor vehicle dealers, and aftermarket parts manufacturers.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only and limited to ten (10) minute durations. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact persons listed on the reply form. In order to publicize the hearing further, please inform interested parties of the Committees' interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Senate and Assembly, in accordance with their policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate and Assembly facilities and activities.

Senator José Peralta, Chair,
Committee on Consumer Protection
Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer, Chair, Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on the Right to Repair to be held on June 9, 2010, or who wish to submit written testimony only, are requested to complete and return this reply form to:

Margarita Perez
Office of Senator José Peralta
Senate Consumer Protection Committee
Legislative Office Building, Room 944
Albany, New York 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2529
Fax: (518) 426-6909

Eric Jacobsen
Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
Alfred E. Smith Office Building,
80 South Swan St., Floor 22
Albany, New York 12248
Phone: (518) 455-4355
Fax: (518) 455-7250

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I plan to attend the public hearing on the Right to Repair to be conducted by the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and the Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection on June 9, 2010.
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I have been invited to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.
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I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.
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I would like to be added to the Committees' mailing lists for notices and reports.
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I would like to be removed from the Committees' mailing list.
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I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:

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