Automotive repair.

Existing law, the Automotive Repair Act, establishes the Bureau of Automotive Repair under the supervision and control of the Director of Consumer Affairs. A violation of the act is a crime. Existing law provides for the registration and regulation of automotive repair dealers and makes it unlawful for any person to be an automotive repair dealer unless registered with the bureau. Existing law defines an automotive repair dealer and an automotive technician as a person who, among other things, repairs motor vehicles. Existing law defines the repair of motor vehicles to mean all maintenance of and repairs to motor vehicles, as specified, and excludes from the definition, among other things, repairing tires, changing tires, lubricating vehicles, installing light bulbs, batteries, windshield wiper blades, and other minor services. This bill would delete repairing and changing tires from that exclusion list. However, the bill would exclude tire services provided by or on behalf of a motor club holding a specified certificate of authority or by an operator of a tow truck owned or operated by a person possessing a valid motor carrier permit from the definition of motor vehicle repair. Because the failure of a person repairing and changing tires to register as an automotive repair dealer with the bureau would constitute a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.