Last week, a Right to Repair bill specific to agricultural machinery was introduced in Oregon. The bill sponsor is Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro) who previously introduced and passed Right to Repair legislation for consumer electronics. The bill, SB 1163, has been referred to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, which the bill sponsor chairs.
The bill specifically applies to agricultural equipment and attachments. In a somewhat novel wrinkle, the legislative requirements only apply to owners defined by the bill as public bodies who purchase or lease equipment, which means state and local government entities. The bill includes price fixing that requires manufacturers to sell parts to owners at the same cost they make parts available to an authorized dealer, and has troublesome parts pairing prohibition language that is unworkable.
NAEDA had a call with Senator Sollman today to gauge her intentions with the legislation. We received every indication that she will be trying to pass this bill. When asked why she was going back on the agreement to exempt off-road equipment from the Right to Repair statute, she sidestepped and claimed we were exempted because that bill focused on consumer electronics. She alleged that this bill was identical to Colorado (false) and gave the impression that safety and emissions concerns were exaggerated. When asked if she would be interested in a dealer demonstration to show the tools available and accessible, she related a story about Apple inviting her to their headquarters for a presentation and afterwards telling them that she was still going to pass the bill.
We will be strongly opposing this bill. In the coming weeks, dealers will need to engage to prevent this bill from passing. NAEDA will keep you updated with any scheduled hearings or status changes, and information on how to engage. If you have any questions or concerns about this legislation, please contact me directly.
