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Committee approves right‑to‑repair bill to give farmers access to diagnostic software and specialty tools
Summary
Lawmakers advanced a bill meant to require manufacturers to provide software and specialty tools to farmers and independent mechanics at fair, reasonable rates; dealer groups warned of safety and emissions risks while farmers and right‑to‑repair advocates said the bill protects farm productivity and lowers costs.
Representative Jeremiah Moore told the committee his bill extends to farmers and independent mechanics access to diagnostic software and specialty tools manufacturers use to service equipment.
“This just says they must provide it at fair and reasonable rates,” Representative Jeremiah Moore said, summarizing the measure’s intent to convert a nonbinding industry memorandum of understanding into statute to guarantee access.
Testimony was a mix of farmers who said access is necessary to avoid excessive dealer service fees, and dealer representatives who cautioned about safety, emissions and tampering concerns. Nathan Reed, a farmer and former Arkansas Ag Council chairman, recounted needing a specialty tool and software calibration after replacing injectors on a cotton picker and said the dealer network had limited options for outside mechanics.
“We had to get on the internet and order a tool from a shady Internet site,” Reed said. He said dealer call‑out and service fees can exceed $1,000 before work begins and described instances where independent mechanics charged a few hundred dollars to enter calibration codes.
Scott Waller, regional service manager of field operations for United Ag and Turf, which operates John Deere dealerships in Arkansas, said dealers support customers but opposed giving independent shops access that could allow modifications or deletions of emissions controls or increases in horsepower. “We support right to repair, but we do not support the right to modify or tamper with software,” he told the committee, citing safety and emissions concerns and potential impacts on parts inventories and pricing.
Committee members asked whether the bill addresses warranty status and pricing. The sponsor and supporters said the bill does not change warranty law and that it requires a fair and reasonable rate rather than a prescribed price. Representative Moore also said the bill was narrowed to exclude construction equipment in an amendment the committee adopted earlier in the hearing.
After testimony, Representative Moore closed and the committee approved the bill to advance.
