Data Access Bill Pushes for Independent Repair Input

The bill would create a stakeholder committee at the U.S. Department of Transportation, which would include a representative of the independent repair sector.

Jan. 10, 2018

Jan. 10, 2018—U.S. Congressman Earl “Buddy” Carter, R-Ga., is currently developing an automotive data access bill that will create a stakeholder committee at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be involved with the committee.

If enacted, Carter’s bill would establish a congressional advisory committee comprised of representatives of the automotive aftermarket and other affected stakeholders.

The committee is tasked with producing a comprehensive report on vehicle data, intellectual property protections, customer privacy, cybersecurity, vehicle safety, etc., within two years’ time.

One of the advisory committee’s members would be a representative of the independent repair sector.

"This bill acknowledges the rapidly changing nature of automotive technology and would provide much needed insight to Congress, as well as federal regulators," the Automotive Service Association wrote in support of the bill.