Farm equipment Right to Repair bill passes Colorado House

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DENVER – The Colorado House of Representatives passed the farm equipment right to repair bill, HB23-1011, which would require manufacturers of agricultural equipment to make available all materials needed to repair tractors and combines.

The bipartisan bill was sponsored by Democrat Brianna Titone and Republican Ron Weinberg. A broad coalition supported the bill including CoPIRG, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado Corn Growers Association, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.

Nationally, Colorado has been a leader in the Right to Repair space. Last year, Colorado passed a Right to Repair for wheelchairs bill, which went into effect last month.

In reaction to the House vote, the following statements were released:

“For decades, if something you owned broke, you could fix it yourself, take it to an independent repair shop or go back to the dealer or manufacturer. Unfortunately, as more of our stuff, including agricultural equipment like tractors and combines, runs on software, manufacturers are able to lock us out, undermining the repair marketplace and leading to longer delays and inflated repair bills. With fields to be plowed, planted and harvested, farmers don’t always have the time to wait for whoever the manufacturer designates can fix their stuff. They should have the freedom to get help from someone they trust, whether that’s themselves, a family member, a friend, an independent repairer or a dealer.” – CoPIRG Executive Director Danny Katz

“Thanks to technological advancements in modern equipment, less than 2% of the U.S. population not only feeds the rest of the country but exports surplus to world markets. However, when this equipment breaks down, farmers and ranchers should have the ability to diagnose and repair their equipment themselves or through independent mechanics, not just through manufacturer authorized mechanics which are no longer located in small rural communities. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union applauds the passage of HB23-1011 by the Colorado House of Representatives.” – Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Chad Franke

“Colorado farmers wake up early, they work into the night, and they endure and adapt to environmental challenges outside of their control. Fixing their equipment shouldn’t be another barrier. This bill helps them have one less burden in their difficult and challenging profession to have more options to fix their equipment.” — State Representative Brianna Titone, one of the prime sponsors of HB23-1011

“The right to fix and maintain your own property, that’s what this bill ensures for farmers and ranchers. The right to have access to the tools and software they need to make timely repairs of their equipment or take it to someone they trust.” — State Representative Ron Weinberg, one of the prime sponsors of HB23-1011

The bill will head to the Senate and has until May 10th to pass before the Colorado General Assembly adjourns.

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