An Act to Establish Standards for Independent Motor Vehicle
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1468
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: COLLAMORE
Amends: 29-A MRSA §1801, 29-A MRSA §1812

Legislative Document
No. 1468
H.P. 960
House of Representatives, April 3, 2025
An Act to Establish Standards for Independent Motor Vehicle 
Repair Facilities in Maine
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative COLLAMORE of Pittsfield.
Cosponsored by Representatives: QUINT of Hodgdon, ROBERTS of South Berwick.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the automotive repair industry is increasingly reliant on advanced 
technologies and original equipment manufacturer standards to ensure motor vehicles are 
repaired safely and efficiently; and
Whereas, independent motor vehicle repair shops must be aligned with original 
equipment manufacturer repairer standards to maintain safety, reliability and consumer 
trust; and
Whereas, a lack of standardized training and certification may lead to inconsistent 
repair practices, which could undermine vehicle performance, safety systems and warranty 
compliance; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §1801, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
1-A.  Continuing education.  "Continuing education" means ongoing training for a 
repair technician to be current with advancements in motor vehicle technology and repair 
methods.
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §1801, sub-§2-B is enacted to read:
2-B.  Independent motor vehicle repair facility.  "Independent motor vehicle repair 
facility" means a repair facility that is not affiliated with a motor vehicle manufacturer or 
motor vehicle manufacturer's authorized dealer and includes a motor vehicle 
manufacturer's authorized dealer or other entity within the motor vehicle manufacturer's 
certified repair network if the dealer or other entity is engaged in repair of a motor vehicle 
that is not affiliated with the motor vehicle manufacturer.
Sec. 3.  29-A MRSA §1801, sub-§2-C is enacted to read:
2-C.  Original equipment manufacturer.  "Original equipment manufacturer" means 
a manufacturer of a motor vehicle part or other motor vehicle equipment that is used by 
another company or entity that integrates the part or equipment in the other company's or 
entity's product.
Sec. 4.  29-A MRSA §1801, sub-§2-D is enacted to read:
2-D.  Original equipment manufacturer repair facility.  "Original equipment 
manufacturer repair facility" means an independent motor vehicle repair facility authorized 
by an original equipment manufacturer to perform repairs in compliance with original 
equipment manufacturer standards.
Sec. 5.  29-A MRSA §1801, sub-§2-E is enacted to read:
2-E.  Original equipment manufacturer standards.  "Original equipment 
manufacturer standards" means specifications, protocols and requirements established by 
a motor vehicle manufacturer for the repair and maintenance of a motor vehicle 
manufactured by the motor vehicle manufacturer.
Sec. 6.  29-A MRSA §1801, sub-§5-A is enacted to read:
5-A.  Technician certification.  "Technician certification" means a certification by a 
nationally recognized organization dedicated to automotive service excellence or an 
interindustry conference on automobile collision repair verifying a motor vehicle 
technician's proficiency in performing repairs to original equipment manufacturer 
standards or an original equipment manufacturer-specific certification by a motor vehicle 
manufacturer.
Sec. 7.  29-A MRSA §1812 is enacted to read:
§1812.  Original equipment manufacturer repair facilities
1. Original equipment manufacturer repair facility standards; technician 
certification; training and continuing education. An original equipment manufacturer 
repair facility shall:
A. Meet minimum equipment and infrastructure requirements under original 
equipment manufacturer standards, including:
(1) Diagnostic tools and software;
(2) Welding and structural repair equipment; and
(3) A climate-controlled paint booth and refinishing system compliant with 
environmental laws, rules and regulations;
B. Ensure all motor vehicle technicians of the original equipment manufacturer repair 
facility have received a technician certification; and
C. Ensure all motor vehicle technicians of the original equipment manufacturer repair 
facility participate in ongoing training in original equipment manufacturer-approved 
programs and continuing education, including:
(1) Annual training by a nationally recognized interindustry conference on 
automobile collision repair;
(2) Updates on advanced driver assistance system repairs; and
(3) If the original equipment manufacturer repair facility repairs an electric vehicle, 
electric vehicle-specific repair.
2. Registration. An original equipment manufacturer repair facility shall register 
annually with the Secretary of State and demonstrate compliance with subsection 1. 
3. Directory. The Secretary of State shall maintain and make available, including on a 
publicly accessible website, a registry of all registrants under subsection 2.
4. Inspections and audits. The Secretary of State shall conduct random inspections 
and audits of original equipment manufacturer repair facilities to ensure compliance with 
this section and respond to a complaint about an original equipment manufacturer repair 
facility by a member of the public.
5. Penalties. A person in violation of this section is subject to:
A. A penalty of up to $5,000 per violation;
B. An order by the Secretary of State for mandatory corrective action and a timeline 
for compliance; and
C. Revocation of registration for repeated violations.
The Secretary of State shall establish an appeals process for a person subject to a penalty 
or finding of noncompliance under this subsection.
6. Rules.  The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this 
section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules under Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 8.  Secretary of State to adopt rules for original equipment 
manufacturer repair facilities.  By January 1, 2026, the Secretary of State, in 
consultation with stakeholders and other interested parties, shall adopt rules under the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 1812, subsection 6, including:
1. Defining acceptable certifications and training programs;
2. Establishing clear criteria for facility audits and inspections; and
3. Developing an appeals process for a facility contesting a penalty or finding of 
noncompliance.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a registration process and mandatory standards for original 
equipment manufacturer repair facilities, which are independent motor vehicle repair 
facilities authorized to perform repairs by an original equipment manufacturer, aligning 
those standards with original equipment manufacturer certifications, repairs, equipment 
and infrastructure and training and continuing education. The bill requires the Secretary of 
State to administer the registration process and enforce compliance with the provisions of 
this bill.