Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Hearing Entitled "Right to Repair: Industry Discussions and Legislative Opinions"
Statement of Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE,
AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
HEARING ENTITLED "RIGHT TO REPAIR: INDUSTRY
DISCUSSIONS AND LEGISLATIVE OPTIONS"
November 10, 2005
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased that we are holding this hearing today. H.R. 2048, "The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2005" was reportedly introduced to help small independent repair shops, however, the bill may impede the competitiveness of American manufacturing at a precarious time for the automotive industry. While the bill represents a clear improvement over the version we considered last Congress, I am of the belief that legislation of this kind may be ill-advised.
This issue is not as simple as it appears. The publicly stated objectives of the legislation are laudable. Consumers should be able to choose who repairs their automobiles. It is not, however, the bill's stated objectives that I am concerned about. It is the means through which this legislation seeks to achieve its stated objectives, and the consequences, whether intended or not, that give me pause.
It is possible to help consumers and assist independent repair shops without jeopardizing the rights of automobile manufacturers and their suppliers. Independent service stations across the Nation have joined with the world's automobile manufacturers to create the National Automobile Service Task Force. This task force has designed a non-legislative means through which the bill's stated objectives are being achieved. I am told that independent service stations are now receiving the information they need to repair all makes and models of motor vehicles.
No one should expect an undertaking of this magnitude to be perfect upon its inception. There will be errors and there will be flaws. It requires communication, perseverance, and most importantly, the willingness of all stakeholders to succeed.
Mr. Chairman, to the extent the effectiveness of this program remains in doubt, I suggest that we engage in suitable oversight to discern the facts from mere rumor and innuendo, and to encourage all parties involved in the task force to work together more diligently. Not only would this be consistent with the traditions of this Committee, but the findings would certainly illuminate our legislative process. A thorough examination of how intellectual property and international competitiveness may be implicated may also prove to be quite useful.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, and to further work on this matter.
http://www.house.gov/commerce_democrats/Press_109/109st59.shtml