Ohio Legislature Considers Extending Motor Vehicle Repair Board Jurisdiction

Oct. 15, 2015—On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate’s Transportation, Commerce and Labor Committee held a second hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 37, a bill that, if enacted, would extend the jurisdiction of the Motor Vehicle Repair Board (MVRB) to include mechanical repairs.

Under the current law, only collision repair facilities are required to register with the MVRB. This has created a problem for legitimate businesses when certain “backyard” operators avoid compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) laws and Ohio’s environmental standards. Many of these “backyard” shops do not pay taxes or workers’ benefits, causing an uneven playing field in the marketplace between these operators and law-abiding shop owners. S.B. 37 would ensure that that all automotive repair professional are adhering to a uniform set of service and safety standards.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced on Wednesday that it supports this legislations. To support, visit ASA’s legislative website (( www.Taking TheHill.com)) and click “Alerts” and then select “Ohio- Ohio Legislature Considers Mechanical Registrations” to send a letter.