US Lawmakers Introduce 'Right To Repair' Bills To Spur Competition

U.S. lawmakers are introducing "Right to Repair" legislation this week to ensure consumers can get vehicles, electronic devices and agriculture equipment serviced by independent outlets. Reuters reports: Representative Bobby Rush, a Democrat, said Thursday he had introduced legislation to ensure vehicle owners and independent repair shops have equal access to repair and maintenance tools as automakers' dealerships. Representatives Mondaire Jones, a Democrat, and Republican Victoria Spartz introduced separate legislation Wednesday dubbed the Freedom to Repair Act to reform copyright law to make it easier for consumers to get repairs. Public Knowledge Policy Counsel Kathleen Burke said the bill would allow "consumers to repair their own devices without needing to get the Copyright Office's permission every three years." Rush's bill would require all tools and equipment, wireless transmission of repair and diagnostic data and access to on-board diagnostic systems needed for repairs be made available to the independent repair industry. Rush said it would "end manufacturers' monopoly on vehicle repair and maintenance and allow Americans the freedom to choose where to repair their vehicles." Rush's bill would create a committee to provide recommendations to the FTC on addressing barriers to vehicle repairs. Yesterday, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced a bill to allow farmers to fix their own equipment. Specifically, the bill "would require agriculture equipment manufacturers to make spare parts, instruction manuals and software codes publicly available, allowing farmers to fix devices by themselves or hire third-party mechanics of their own choosing," reports NBC News.

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