Could this be the year right-to-repair legislation finally gets passed in a state legislature or nationally?

The chances appear better than ever of this happening, with three states having introduced their own versions of bills for what’s officially known as the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.

This is not to mention the intense efforts that have continued to get such a law passed nationally.

Should right-to-repair legislation become a reality, either federally or in an individual state or states, it would be a boon for independent automotive repairers.

No longer would they have to worry about not being able to compete fairly with franchised car dealerships that have ready access to all the technical information and equipment needed to repair today’s increasingly complex vehicles.

The Right to Repair Act would ensure the availability of this and level the playing field between independent auto service providers and car dealers.

It would do so by establishing stiff penalties against auto manufacturers that fail to make available at a reasonable price the same non-proprietary repair and diagnostic information they give their franchised dealers.

Consumers would benefit by having more options as to where they can take their vehicles for repair and not being locked into having to return to a franchised car dealer.

At the same time, state passage of the legislation would serve as strong encouragement for other states to follow with their own version of right to repair.

The states considering right-to-repair bills are Massachusetts, Connecticut and Oregon, the latter two having introduced proposed legislation just this year.

Of the three, Massachusetts seems to have the best shot of passing what would become the nation’s first right-to-repair law.

It narrowly missed doing so last year, after legislation was approved in the state Senate by a unanimous voice vote. Before the bill could come to a vote in the House, the legislature adjourned for the year, deeply disappointing its proponents.

Still, momentum and support for the bill remains strong and it has gained even more co-sponsors than it had in 2010, so the likelihood of its passing this year is more than just idle hope.

For tire dealers and other independent repair shops in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Oregon, now is the time to be heard. If the Right to Repair Act is important to you, let your state and national representatives—and state dealer groups—know how you feel.

This could be the year when right-to-repair legislation finally becomes law. It’s time to make that a reality.