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PROPOSEDWashingtonDeadline Sep 23, 2026Watch

Repair-shop workers’ compensation classifications are under proposed revision

CheckIf your Washington shop reports workers under classifications 3411, 6405 or 1109, review L&I’s proposed classification language and submit comments by September 23, 2026 if it would affect how your operations are classified. Do not treat the proposal as adopted yet.

Details & evidence

Washington L&I proposed revisions to its workers’ compensation classification rules. The proposal rewrites the automobile service/repair classification language and continues to distinguish repair shops that sell and install tires and towing performed for hire. The comment deadline is September 23, 2026; intended adoption is November 3, 2026.

Applies to: General mechanical, Tire shop, Transmission, Mixed servicesWashington State Register — WSR 26-17-087 ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

UPCOMINGCaliforniaDeadline Jan 1, 2027Watch

Cal-VIS prepared for 2027 vehicle-noise compliance requirement

CheckIf your work depends on BAR Referee noise inspections, review BAR's implementation information before January 1, 2027.

Details & evidence

BAR's Spring 2026 newsletter says AB 2496 will require courts to verify a BAR Referee certificate of compliance for cited excessive-noise vehicles beginning January 1, 2027, and Cal-VIS has been updated in preparation.

Applies to: General mechanical, Mixed servicesCalifornia BAR — Automotive Repair and Smog Check News, Spring 2026 ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

EFFECTIVECaliforniaSep 3, 2026Medium

Equipment-manufacturer decertification rule adopted

CheckReview the approved BAR text if your station relies on certified inspection equipment from an affected manufacturer.

Details & evidence

BAR lists an approved amendment to section 3340.17.1 concerning decertification of equipment manufacturers, adopted and effective September 3, 2026.

Applies to: General mechanical, Mixed servicesCalifornia BAR — Regulatory actions ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

EFFECTIVECaliforniaJul 1, 2026High priority

Business license information update deadlines changed

CheckReport a business address change within 14 days and specified other business-license changes within 30 days.

Details & evidence

California BAR's approved regulation changed reporting deadlines for automotive repair dealer business information. BAR's current guidance says business address changes must be reported within 14 days and other listed business-license changes within 30 days.

Applies to: All shop typesCalifornia BAR — Regulatory actions / News and updates ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

EFFECTIVECaliforniaJul 1, 2026Medium

Biometric device and inspection manual updates took effect

CheckUse the updated BAR inspection manuals and follow the current approved biometric-device requirements if your licensed activity is covered.

Details & evidence

BAR updated its biometric-device regulations and says updated Smog Check and Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection manuals must be followed beginning July 1, 2026.

Applies to: General mechanical, Mixed servicesCalifornia BAR — Regulatory actions / News and updates ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

EFFECTIVECaliforniaJan 1, 2026High priority

New vehicle storage and towing law took effect in 2026

CheckReview storage and towing fee practices against BAR's 2026 law summary and the underlying statute if your shop charges those fees.

Details & evidence

BAR's 2026 law summary says AB 987 expanded categories of presumptively unreasonable vehicle storage and towing fees, including certain state-holiday storage charges and emergency-related towing charges.

Applies to: General mechanical, Collision / body, Tire shop, Transmission, Mixed servicesCalifornia BAR — News and updates ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

PROPOSEDCaliforniaSep 17, 2026Watch

Airbag safety regulation remains proposed after modified-text comment period

CheckNo final compliance action is asserted. Monitor BAR for adoption or further modification before treating the proposal as an effective requirement.

Details & evidence

BAR proposed an amendment to section 3367 on airbag safety. A modified-text public-comment period ran September 2–17, 2026. The proposal is not labeled approved on BAR's regulatory-actions page as of verification.

Applies to: General mechanical, Collision / body, Mixed servicesCalifornia BAR — Regulatory actions ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

PROPOSEDCaliforniaAug 28, 2026Watch

Storage-fee regulation remains proposed after second modified text

CheckTreat this as a watch item, not an effective rule. Review BAR's final action before changing shop policy solely because of this proposal.

Details & evidence

BAR's proposed storage-fee rule went through a second modified-text comment period ending August 28, 2026 and is still shown under proposed regulations as of verification.

Applies to: General mechanical, Collision / body, Tire shop, Transmission, Mixed servicesCalifornia BAR — Regulatory actions ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026

PROPOSEDFederalMay 6, 2026Watch

EPA is still considering new HFO-1234yf retrofit options for some heavy-duty MVAC systems

CheckNo new retrofit permission is asserted yet. Shops that retrofit heavy-duty pickup or complete heavy-duty van A/C systems should monitor EPA’s SNAP Rule 27 for a final rule and follow only refrigerants and use conditions that are currently approved.

Details & evidence

EPA’s April 2026 supplemental SNAP Rule 27 proposal would list HFO-1234yf as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for retrofit of motor-vehicle A/C systems in heavy-duty pickup trucks and complete heavy-duty vans. EPA’s current SNAP regulations page still lists the action as a supplemental proposed rule, not a final rule.

Applies to: General mechanical, Mobile repair, Mixed servicesU.S. EPA — SNAP proposed and final rules ↗ · verified Sep 19, 2026