Big Week, Big Advocacy for Dealers in Week 4

February 3, 2025

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Capitol Briefs 2025, Week 4

Don Direction Capitol Steps Dan Carrigan

The fourth week of Virginia’s General Assembly was an intense and advocacy-filled one for VADA. After numerous tough debates, both the House and Senate versions of our warranty bills received very strong votes from their respective Transportation committees.  

  • The House version, HB1683, received its first vote from the House of Delegates’ DMV Subcommittee on Tuesday (January 28), where legislators voted in favor of our bill in a 7-1 vote.
  • On Thursday, HB1683 took a vote from the House Transportation Committee, where 21 members voted in support and one voted in abstention. The Senate Transportation Committee also saw SB1308 on Thursday, and all 15 members voted unanimously in support.

Both bills soon head to the House and Senate floor before the bills cross over to the opposite chambers for their final vote. 

We want to extend a special thanks to VADA Chairman Dan Banister, who testified in favor of SB1308 in front of the Senate Transportation Committee (see video below). His voice helped drive home the issues Virginia’s dealers, their employees, and their customers are facing, and how the bill seeks to rectify these issues.

We also want to thank Tony Kaminski, service director at Richmond's Parks Chevrolet, for his testimony in favor of HB1683 in front of the House DMV Subcommittee. He provided invaluable testimony about how warranty pay issues impact service departments and dealerships in Virginia.    

In the final weeks of Virginia’s 2025 legislative session, the VADA team will continue to build upon this momentum in efforts to turn HB1683 and SB1308 into Virginia law.

 

As a reminder, the legislation:

  • Prohibits manufacturers from slashing part prices for recall repairs, and allows dealers to return unused parts for those repairs
  • Ensures technicians are fairly paid for diagnostic and communication time when working directly with manufacturers
  • Allows dealers to request timely reimbursement for extended rental car expenses incurred due to parts delays

Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William) is carrying HB1683, and Senator Jeremy McPike (D-Prince William) is carrying the identical SB1308. Virginia's auto dealers thank both of these legislators and their staff for the support.

Photo Gallery: January 29 was DEALER DAY in Virginia

Dealers on the steps of the Thomas Jefferson-designed Virginia State Capitol for VADA's Dealer Day on the Hill, on January 29, 2025.

More than 100 representatives from Virginia's franchised car and truck dealerships showed up in Richmond this week to "lead from the front" and support our legislation to bring greater protections and fair pay to our Commonwealth's automotive technicians. In addition to that, over the last few weeks dealers and techs have sent 700 letters to legislators in support of HB1683 and SB1308.

The commitment and advocacy in support of fair compensation for Virginia dealers and their technicians is truly invaluable, and our successes are a direct result of VADA’s members’ collective passion, determination, and unwavering support.

Special thanks to Armatus Dealer Uplift, LLC. for sponsoring our luncheon prior to visiting the Hill, and to Armatus team members Jordan Jankowski and Ryan Hammer for joining us on these visits.

Additional Legislation VADA is Tracking

HB2659 (Milde, R-Stafford): Buyer's Orders.

This legislation would permit, but not require, dealers to use a separate Buyer's Order for a lease transaction that includes terms and language more appropriate to a lease transaction. This bill is pending before a subcommittee of the House Transportation Committee.

VADA's Position: The VADA asked Del. Paul Milde (R-Stafford) to carry this bill, and we are in full support.

The latest: Passed the House Transportation Committee, 20-2. 

HB2515 (McClure, D-Arlington) and SB1212 (Pekarsky, D-Fairfax): Virginia Consumer Protection Act prohibited practices; mandatory fees or surcharges disclosure

These bills would amend the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to make it mandatory for any seller of consumer goods to include all fees in the price in all advertising. We are pleased that the patrons included amendments to exclude auto dealers from the legislation. This past week, McClure’s HB2515 was referred to House Labor and Commerce Committee, and Pekarsky’s SB1212 passed unanimously in the Senate General Laws Committee.

VADA's position: During last year's session, VADA successfully secured an amendment to the Senate Bill so that it would not impact auto dealers. This exemption was crucial for maintaining fair advertising practices. Last year's legislation ultimately died in a conference committee because the House and Senate could not agree on the bill language. We are happy to announce that the current language in this year’s bills includes an exemption for auto dealers. 

The latest:  McClure's HB2515 passed in the House Labor and Commerce Committee 12-9, and will soon be considered on the House Floor. Pekarsky’s SB1212 passed unanimously on the Senate floor. 

HB2334 (Batten, R-Williamsburg): Vehicle safety inspections

This bill would revise safety inspection requirements to provide that new vehicle safety inspections are valid for two years. This bill was introduced last year but failed to pass. It includes a delayed effective date; if passed, Virginia would not see any impact until July 2026. Batten’s bill is currently awaiting consideration by a subcommittee of the House Transportation Committee.

VADA's position: Support

The latest: The bill died in the House Highway Safety Subcommittee.  

HB2080 (Austin, R- Buchanan) / SB1061 (Diggs, R-York County): Discontinued registration decals

This bill will discontinue the current requirement for vehicle registration license plate decals. Both bills passed out of their respective Transportation Committees this week.

VADA's position: Support

The latest: Austin’s HB2080 passed on the House floor in a 96-1 vote, however, Diggs’ SB1061 died in Senate Finance and Appropriations.