U.S. Congressman Earl Carter, R-Ga., is currently developing an automotive data access bill that will create a stakeholder committee at the U.S. Department of Transportation, allowing policymakers to hear from all sides of the automated vehicle discussion and ensure the independent repairer has a seat at the table.

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.

ASA says this bill acknowledges the rapidly changing nature of automotive technology and would provide much needed insight to Congress, as well as federal regulators. ASA supports this bill and encourages all interested parties to visit TakingTheHill.com to send a letter in support of Carter’s bill to their member of Congress.