Senate agriculture committee reports SB 806 favorably after amendments, hears opposition from dealers and tech groups

The Senate Committee on Agriculture voted to report favorably a committee substitute for SB 806, a right-to-repair bill covering portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment, after adopting two amendments Wednesday.

The measure, explained to the committee by Senator Trudeau, is intended to "increase customer choice, lower repair costs, support small repair businesses and reduce electronic and equipment downtime," while preserving protections for trade secrets and proprietary information, he said.

In committee debate, members adopted amendment barcode 474598, offered by Senator Drew, clarifying that the definition of "portable devices" does not cover motor vehicles or products sold by motor-vehicle manufacturers or dealers. The committee also adopted a technical staff amendment, barcode 948932. Both amendments were adopted by voice vote.

Ally Schechter Reitz, who identified herself as representing Everglades Equipment, a John Deere dealership, testified in opposition. Reitz said she supports farmers' ability to repair equipment but warned the bill could "undermine the local dealer support system" and could lead to "fewer jobs, fewer parts available locally and longer downtime when time matters most." She also raised compliance concerns, saying emission systems and regulatory obligations could expose farmers to liability even when a problem was not intentional.

Christian Camara of the Consumer Technology Association also opposed the bill in its current form. Camara said CTA is worried the measure would create a patchwork of state repair laws and, unlike other states' laws, "enables consumers to file private lawsuits against manufacturers." He urged the committee to consider enforcement by the attorney general rather than a private right of action.

Other organizations were recorded as waiving positions: Adam Bassford, Associated Industries of Florida (waiving against); Katie Kelly, TechNet (waiving against); and Trey Price, Repair Association (waiving in support). The transcript shows no recorded roll-call opposition during amendment adoption; votes were taken by voice.

Senator Trudeau closed by stressing the bill's aim to give consumers and farmers more repair options and to continue incremental progress on access to repair data. The clerk called the roll on the committee substitute; Senators Bernard, Burton, Roussan, Trudeau and Chair Graw were recorded as voting "Yes," and the committee substitute for SB 806 was reported favorably.

The committee reported CS for SB 806 favorably; the bill will proceed through the Legislature according to their rules.