Pennsylvania holds informational Right to Repair hearing, Committee Chair signals support

On Monday, March 25, the Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee held an informational meeting on pending “Right to Repair” legislation to be introduced by Rep. Kyle Mullins. Commerce Committee Chair Scott Conklin has since signaled his support for the Right to Repair in a press release. You can watch a full recording of Monday’s informational meeting here.

While not yet in bill form, this legislation would require manufacturers of consumer electronics and appliances with embedded software make available the parts, tools, and information needed to repair them. If approved, Pennsylvania would join New York, California, Minnesota, and Oregon in protecting the Right to Repair for consumer electronics. 

Lawmakers heard arguments in favor of the legislation from Nathan Proctor (Senior Director for U.S.PIRG’s Campaign for the Right to Repair) and Gay Gordon Byrne (Executive Director of Repair.org). Representatives from TechNet, AdvaMed and Hoober Inc., a chain of agricultural equipment dealerships, voiced concerns about Right to Repair. 

Right to Repair continues to be an important issue for local repair shops. As part of the hearing, 33 repair professionals representing repair and information technology businesses from across Pennsylvania signed on to our letter in support of Rep. Mullins’ Right to Repair legislation.