The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) last week called on small business owners to urge Congress to pass the REPAIR Act, ramping up its campaign for federal right-to-repair legislation after submitting testimony to a House subcommittee earlier this month.
"Each second spent driving to a dealership or waiting for a repair is time not spent growing a business," said Louis Bertolotti, NFIB's principal of federal government relations, in testimony submitted ahead of a Jan. 13 hearing. "For a small business operating on tight margins, this time is money pulled from their livelihood."
The testimony was delivered to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade as part of a hearing examining motor vehicle safety legislation. In a follow-up analysis published Jan. 20, NFIB said local repair shops "deserve an equal playing field" and urged its members to share how lowering auto repair costs would benefit their businesses.
89% of NFIB members back right-to-repair legislation
NFIB represents approximately 300,000 small businesses across industries — not just automotive — making its active lobbying a signal that right-to-repair has become a mainstream small business priority. According to NFIB, 89% of its members support right-to-repair legislation, placing it among the organization's top 10 federal priorities. Right to Repair is also on NFIB's 2026 federal legislative agenda.
The organization first endorsed the REPAIR Act in March 2025, telling lawmakers that independent shops in rural areas are often the only option for vehicle maintenance. "Without access to an independent vehicle repair shop, consumers will be forced to spend more time away from their own businesses and take more money out of their pockets," the group said at the time.
Bill would require access to diagnostic codes, repair info
The REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566), introduced by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), would require automakers to provide independent repair facilities with access to diagnostic codes, calibration tools, and essential repair information. Supporters say the bill would help independent shops access the diagnostic data and tools needed to complete modern repairs, including work on vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems.
The bill has more than 40 bipartisan cosponsors, according to the Auto Care Association. A national poll conducted last year found 83% of Americans support the measure, according to the CAR Coalition.
Dealership repairs cost 36% more on average, association says
Auto Care Association President and CEO Bill Hanvey, who testified at the same Jan. 13 hearing, told lawmakers that manufacturer-imposed data restrictions are forcing vehicle owners into franchised dealerships, where repair costs are on average 36% higher and wait times significantly longer, according to the association. Independent facilities perform more than 70% of out-of-warranty vehicle repairs nationwide, the association said.
"The need for the REPAIR Act is critical and real," Hanvey said in his submitted testimony. "Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly restricting access to critical repair and maintenance data to owners and independent repair shops."
Supporters eye September deadline for surface transportation bill
Supporters are pushing for the REPAIR Act to be included in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, which Congress must pass by Sept. 30yt according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. A competing approach, the SAFE Repair Act, backed by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the Automotive Service Association, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, is also under consideration.
Shop owners who want to weigh in can send a letter to their representatives through the Auto Care Association's campaign at repairact.com.
