Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-359-R1

Redraft ECO 359

Special Commission on Heavy Duty Vehicles

Mr. Kennedy moved that the proposed new text be amended <w:p><w:r><w:t xml:space="preserve">moved that the bill be amended by inserting after section __, the following new section:-

“SECTION __.  There is hereby established a special commission to study the availability of heavy duty vehicle repair information for independent repair shops throughout the Commonwealth. The commission shall be responsible for determining whether independent repair shops have the same access to information, tools and equipment to service heavy duty vehicles as manufacturer dealerships. The commission shall determine as part of its investigation whether the costs and accessibility of the tools, information and equipment is equally available to both independent repair shops and manufacturer dealerships.  The commission shall determine if independent repair shops are able to provide heavy duty vehicle owner’s equal opportunity for repair work at fair market cost to the heavy duty vehicle owner.  The commission will consist of an appointee from: Governor’s Office; Senate President; Speaker of the House; Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network; Engine Manufacturers Association; New England Service Station Association; and one of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association, who sells and services heavy duty trucks.

The commission may recommend further legislation to ensure Massachusetts independent heavy duty vehicle repair shops have all the tools, information and equipment at fair market value necessary to provide safe and responsible repairs.

The commission shall meet once a month and shall be required to file a report by June 15, 2015.  The report shall include any recommendations, legislative or otherwise, that will ensure equal access to tools, information, and equipment for independent repair shops and manufacturer dealerships at fair market value.”