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Vermont lawmaker introduces two 'right to repair' bills for hospitals and consumer products
Summary
Representative Anne Donahue introduced two right-to-repair bills—one focused on hospitals and independent repair of medical equipment and a broader consumer protection bill—citing waste and repair restrictions such as parts pairing. A video presentation and committee discussion accompanied the introductions; no committee vote was recorded.
Representative Anne Donahue told the Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on April 1, 2025, that she had filed two bills under the right-to-repair umbrella: one aimed at allowing hospitals and independent organizations to repair medical equipment they have purchased, and a broader consumer-rights version that would apply to a wider range of products.
Donahue said the two bills were drafted to align with changes the committee made in the prior session and to expand coverage beyond earlier, narrower measures such as last year's farm-equipment bill. "Rather than going piecemeal, this is presenting. We really need to address all of these products and, try to try to get it all the way through this this year," Donahue said.
Committee members played a short recorded presentation during the hearing that traced the history of interchangeable parts and argued that modern manufacturers can limit repair by gluing parts, withholding schematics, using serial-number "parts pairing," or setting device end-of-life schedules. The recorded narration said that in 2022 "we discarded about 62,000,000 tons of e waste," and described examples including smartphones and farm equipment; the presentation cited independent repair efforts such as iFixit.
Donahue referenced past action on right-to-repair issues in other states and in the federal arena, saying Colorado and Oregon have enacted laws addressing parts-pairing practices and that federal agencies have examined repair restrictions. A committee member asked whether there is a national organization tracking the movement; Donahue identified it as the National Right to Repair group and pointed committee members to repair.org for status in other states.
Donahue said one prior bill that targeted farm equipment passed the House with broad support but stalled in the Senate after amendments. She described these two bills as technical and ready for expert review; the transcript records no committee vote, amendment, or referral during the April 1 presentation.
Committee discussion included questions about how mandatory electronics recycling programs interact with right-to-repair efforts; Donahue said recycling helps disposal but that the bills aim to prevent unnecessary replacement and waste.
