Re: News Release - Maybe this will make life a little easier

[Len Sabatine <sabatine@epix.net>]

This is great news , however I wouldn't hold any breath for a drastic
change  in what diagnostic , programming
information actually gets released to the public domain. Interesting, in
the fact that during the lobbing effort to 
afford this bill to pass into California Law the ONLY auto manufacturer
to oppose it in the final stages was G.M.
OBD1 service  and software  detail , release  to the
Aftermarket have been tied up in various court proceedings
since 1981. OBD2 information is likely to continue to be a money maker
for lawyers and not for the Aftermarket. All
that's necessary is for an auto maker to tie it up in the courts , for
years or decades . Interestingly , Ford has made
some OBD2 programming and calibration information available to the
Aftermarket , prior to the California  Law enactment.
We applaud the APSA , SEMA  and others for their efforts , still
there's much work to be done. 
Len

Just came across this. I wonder what the process is to get the information.
Bob
 News Release
For Immediate Release
October 2, 2000
For more information, contact Rich White, (301) 654-6664.

---

Aftermarket Wins Three-Year OBD II Battle
Governor Gray Davis Signs SB 1146

BETHESDA, MD - October 2, 2000 - After three years of relentless grassroots campaigning by state and national aftermarket groups, California Governor Gray Davis signed SB 1146 into law on Saturday, September 30, announced the Automotive Parts Service Alliance (APSA).
This is a monumental victory for the aftermarket and consumers. SB 1146 ensures that car owners will continue to have access to the most convenient and affordable vehicle aftermarket in the world, said Al Gaspar, President and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

Specifically, the bill mandates that the independent aftermarket will have access to service information and tools necessary to repair and maintain vehicles equipped with on-board diagnostic computers. The bill further requires that independents have access to information necessary to ensure that replacement components are compatible with the on-board computers.
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Our job is only three-quarters complete, cautioned Jim Eady, President of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association. The Alliance now looks forward to working with the California Air Resources Board in developing regulations in order to implement the SB 1146 requirements. With a January 1, 2002 deadline, there s still a great deal of work to be done.
The bill, which passed by a 70-3 vote on August 29 in the California Assembly, passed the Senate by a vote of 36-1 the next day. In June, the California Transportation Assembly unanimously passed the bill 17-0. Governor Davis signed the bill into law on September 30.

Specifically, SB 1146 would provide:

• Full access to all emissions related service information, enhanced diagnostic tools and reprogramming capabilities.
• Disclosure of information which will assist aftermarket manufacturers build parts that work properly with OBDII systems.
• Yearly reports by the California Air Resources Board and the Bureau of Consumer Affairs to the State Legislature regarding the availability of competitive parts and repairs for emissions related systems.
• Ability of manufacturers to petition courts for trade secret protection, while still requiring disclosure if necessary to provide for competition in the aftermarket.
• Prohibition against the use of any encryption or defeat devices that would prevent the installation of a non-original equipment part.

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