BAR News and Updates
Sunset Review
Sunset review is an operational review of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) regulatory boards and bureaus conducted every four years by the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development and the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions (Committees). The process provides the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) the opportunity to engage with the Legislature, DCA, and stakeholders to review Bureau operations and collaborate on potential improvements.
To begin the 2023 sunset review process, BAR submitted its 2022 Sunset Review Report to the Committees on January 3, 2023. The comprehensive report provides an overview of BAR, including its licensees, programs, regulatory functions, and responses to issues impacting consumers and the automotive repair industry.
On March 14, 2023, DCA Director Kimberley Kirchmeyer and BAR Chief Patrick Dorais testified during a joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing before the Committees. The hearing included an overview on BAR and discussion on issues identified in BAR’s report and the Committees’ background paper. Public comment was provided in support of BAR and its continued oversight of the automotive repair industry.
BAR submitted a written response to the issues identified in the Committees’ background paper on April 14, 2023 and looks forward to collaborating with the Legislature and other stakeholders on potential solutions to the issues raised. Legislation to extend BAR’s sunset date, which may include both substantive reforms and technical cleanup of the Bureau’s authorizing statutes, is expected to be introduced later this year.
2023-2027 Strategic Plan
On January 3, 2023, BAR released its 2023 - 2027 Strategic Plan. Based on feedback and insight from staff and Bureau stakeholders, the plan establishes BAR’s mission, vision, values, and key goals for the next five years. The all-digital 2023-2027 Strategic Plan is available at www.bar.ca.gov.
DCA Introduces a New Logo
DCA recently unveiled a new logo. Effective January 3, 2023, the new blue and gold logo features a shield, the outline of the state, and a star—symbols representing DCA’s longstanding consumer protection mandate and commitment to serve all Californians. The transition to the new logo will take place in various stages throughout 2023. Licensees will begin to see the new logo on licensing documents such as wall licenses. During the transition, existing items that have the previous DCA logo are still valid and do not require replacement or updating.
For more information, visit DCA’s logo webpage at www.dca.ca.gov.
