20 states file Right to Repair bills as momentum grows

This article is dated Feb. 7, 2023. For the most up-to-date information, check out our campaign homepage. 

Coming off a signature year, during which two states enacted Right to Repair legislation, in 2023 so far, 20 states have already filed Right to Repair legislation. 

Colorado bills clears committee, heads for house floor

Lawmakers heard from farmers and advocates on Monday, Feb. 6, about how people are restricted from repairing farm equipment, and why John Deere’s recent promise to improve access to their repair software tools is not enforceable and not enough. Lawmakers voted 9-4 to advance the bill, and it now heads to the full House. 

Washington holds two hearings, 31 repair shops speak out for reform

Technology experts, a legal intellectual property expert, small business owners, environmental advocates, consumer advocates, school officials and students all gave testimony in support of the Fair Repair Act (SB 5464/HB 1392) last week. Meanwhile, a group of 31 repair shop owners, organized by WashPIRG, sent a letter calling for action to the committees hearing our bills. The committee votes will take place over the next week or so. 

The full rundown of state action so far in 2023:

1. CA – SB 244 – Covers consumer devices. 
2. CO – HB1011 – Farm Equipment. Passed committee on Feb. 6. 
3. CT – Two wheelchair bills HB 5755 / HB 6083 – Wheelchair Right to Repair, and H.B. 6512, a broader template (exact limitations to be determined). 
4. DE – HB41 – all but farm and heavy equipment, but an amendment filed to include such devices. 
5. FL – HB 533 / SB 422 – Ag Right to Repair. 
6. HI – 5 bills – HB53 – Full right to repair (only minus cars) was heard this week and action was deferred, SB 1172 – medical devices; SB 1105 and HB 645 – full right to repair minus heavy equipment and most medical devices (devices over $100,000). There is a new bill HB 1287 which is the full template and includes medical. 
7. MA – HD 3826 / SD 793 – mobile electronics (cell phones and tablets). Kick off press conference set for 2/16. 
8. MD – HB 712 – farm equipment. 
9. MO – two bills, one Farm Equipment (HB 698) and one full template (HB 217). 
10. MN – NEW – HF 1337 – General template, no medical. 
11. MT – HB 195 – wheelchair bill, which did not clear committee. Coverage here. 
12. NH – HB73 – home appliances. 
13. NJ – AB 1538 – broad template – and AB 3612, which concerns “farm equipment and lawn mowers.” 
14. OK – SB869 – general template bill. 
15. OR – SB542 – personal electronics / consumer devices. 
16. SD – SB 194 – full template (includes medical, excludes cars). 
17. TN – SB0077 – Wheelchair bill.
18. TX – HB 515 – farm and heavy equipment and HB 1606, a full template bill. 
19. WA – SB5464 / HB1392 – laptops, tablets and cell phones.  
20. VT – H. 81 – farm equipment and H. 79 / S. 46 – broader template but excludes medical equipment. 

None of the bills on this list cover cars, but Right to Repair measures concerning automobiles continue to advance as well. The coalition of independent auto shops in Maine has successfully qualified a ballot measure to ensure car owners can control which repair shops can view the vehicle maintenance data their car sends out, which is now only available to the dealership.