Senate committee advances bill to expand right-to-repair for devices and farm equipment
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Summary
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee reported favorably on SB 806, which would expand repair access for portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment while preserving trade-secret protections. Dealers and independent repair advocates clashed over whether voluntary memoranda of understanding are sufficient.
Senate Bill 806, described by sponsor Senator Trudeau as a dual-purpose measure, would create a portable wireless device repair act and an agricultural 'fair repair' provision intended to increase consumer choice and broaden access to diagnostic software and repair data. "It also establishes the agricultural fair fair repair act, ensuring farmers and independent mechanics can access necessary diagnostic software and repair data to maintain and fix equipment," Trudeau told the committee.
Industry witnesses urged caution. "Our company was founded over 75 years ago," Jackie Fleetwood, general manager of Tidewater Ag and Construction Equipment Company, said in opposition. Fleetwood said her dealership—26 locations across the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama—already makes diagnostic manuals, parts and software available and that the bill's requirement that costs and terms be "equivalent to the most favorable cost and terms under which the manufacturer offers" parts and tools could force manufacturers to compete directly with authorized dealers. "I respectfully ask that senate bill 8 0 6 not pass out of committee," Fleetwood said.
Adam Bassard, who also testified against the bill, cited an American Farm Bureau report and said roughly "75% of agricultural machinery in the country is covered by the memorandum of understanding," arguing the MOU is working for many machines.
Senator Smith, speaking in support, called right-to-repair measures "very, very pro consumer" and noted prior committee work expanding repair access for mobility devices. Trudeau said the MOU covers only a subset of manufacturers and noted that rental companies and owners of less-common brands lack the same access; he said those users are the bill's intended beneficiaries.
The committee took a roll call on SB 806 and Chair Lee announced the bill was "reported favorably." No amendments were adopted in committee. Next steps: SB 806 heads to its next committee assignment or the full Senate calendar as determined by Senate rules.
Actions recorded in committee: SB 806 was reported favorably by roll call. The transcript does not provide a detailed recorded vote tally by name beyond the oral roll-call confirmations.