Maine Gov. Janet Mills on Jan. 7 vetoed LD 1228, a bill that would have altered the state's automotive Right to Repair law by allowing automakers to decide how vehicle telematics data is shared with independent repair shops.
In her veto letter, Mills wrote that the bill "strays too far from the will of Maine people expressed through the 'Right to Repair' Referendum in 2023" and would harm local independent auto repair shops.
The Auto Care Association applauded the decision, with President and CEO Bill Hanvey commending Mills "for respecting both the expressed will of Maine voters and the vital role of independent repairers in the state's economy."
What LD 1228 would have changed
The November 2023 ballot measure, which passed with 84% voter support, required all vehicles sold in Maine to have a standardized data platform allowing car owners and owner-authorized independent repair shops access to all vehicle mechanical data via mobile application.
While Mills said she supported the Automotive Right to Repair Working Group's unanimous recommendations that formed the basis of LD 1228, she objected to a provision — added at the urging of automakers — that would have let manufacturers decide how telematics data is made accessible to independent shops.
"As enacted, LD 1228 is a finger on the scale in favor of auto manufacturers and against local businesses and the will of Maine voters, and I cannot support it," Mills wrote.
Industry reaction split along familiar lines
Independent repairers and aftermarket industry representatives had criticized LD 1228 as contradicting the will of Maine voters. Tommy Hickey, director of the Maine Automotive Right to Repair Coalition, told Autobody News in August that the legislation removed key provisions voters had supported.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers, had supported LD 1228, arguing the original ballot measure's standardized platform requirement raised cybersecurity concerns.
What happens next in Maine
Mills' veto means the original 2023 voter-approved law remains in effect. Mills encouraged legislators to pass LD 292, a pending bill that would enact the Working Group's recommendations without the provision she objected to.
Maine and Massachusetts are currently the only two states with automotive Right to Repair laws on the books.
Federal legislation still pending
At the federal level, the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566 and S. 1379) remains pending in Congress. The Auto Care Association is urging industry stakeholders to contact their members of Congress before the current session ends, noting that without federal action, independent repairers risk being locked out as vehicles become increasingly software-driven.
Those interested in supporting federal Right to Repair legislation can send a pre-written letter to their representatives at repairact.com.
