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Right‑to‑repair debate splits dealers, manufacturers and environmental advocates
Summary
Lawmakers heard competing testimony March 12 on multiple right‑to‑repair bills, including measures for agricultural equipment and digital electronics. Dealers and manufacturers warned of safety, emissions and federal compliance problems and asked for carve-outs; environmental groups and repair advocates argued the bills reduce e‑waste and preserve consumer choice.
Members of the House Committee on Corporations heard extensive, often sharply differing testimony March 12 on right‑to‑repair proposals covering agricultural equipment and digital electronics.
Proponents — including environmental advocates and farm-owners — said giving owners and independent shops access to parts, tools and diagnostic information would reduce waste and create local repair jobs. "If I own a product, if I own a phone, if I own a tractor, I should be able to repair those pieces of equipment," testified Rex Wilmout of Environment Rhode Island.
Dealers, manufacturers and trade associations pressed for amendments or carve-outs. Kim McGuire (North American Equipment Dealers) described voluntary memoranda of understanding between manufacturers and farm-bureau groups and urged inclusion of language other states use to address safety and business concerns. Rick McCoy (service manager at Milton Cat) and Nate Riggins (Associated Equipment Distributors) highlighted safety risks if embedded software and safety interlocks are exposed and urged exemptions for non‑road and heavy equipment.
Xerox and other imaging-device witnesses asked legislators to amend parts-pairing provisions to preserve federal traceability and law‑enforcement requirements; Susan Tavenin said imaging devices are subject to federal mandates that would make some parts-pairing provisions impossible to implement without tailored language.
Several witnesses called specific legislative fixes: carve-outs for off‑road equipment, narrow definitions of "parts pairing" where federal rules apply, and explicit treatment of dealer inventory and business costs under any "fair and reasonable" pricing mandate. Opponents argued that vague language (for example, undefined "fair and reasonable terms") could force dealers to sell at cost, disrupt distribution networks and increase delays for customers.
Committee members requested the proposed amendments provided by industry for review and suggested working toward targeted exemptions that preserve repair access while protecting safety and federally mandated functions. No vote was taken at the hearing.
