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SALT LAKE CITY — Repairing broken farm equipment seems like it would be as easy as taking it to the nearest mechanic for a new part.
In reality, it can be a lot more complex, according to Sen. Ronald Winterton, R-Roosevelt, who has received complaints from several constituents who say they're being hurt by equipment manufacturer policies.
Some manufacturer agreements require customers to take broken equipment to authorized mechanics for repairs, which can take longer and cost more.
"I have been the victim of a manufacturer who could or would not make a repair and had prioritized the software such that no one else could help me," said a letter from one such constituent, which Winterton read aloud to the Utah Legislature's Government Operations Interim Committee on Wednesday. "My machine remains unrepaired, including some safety issues."
That's why Winterton proposed that lawmakers enact some sort of "right to repair" bill, which could require that manufacturers make repair parts, tools, documentation and software available to consumers and prohibit companies from voiding the warranties of their products if they are taken to a third-party repair shop.
"If you spend money and you buy something, you should be able to have the right to go to whom you want, your choice, to have that item repaired," he said.
Planting or harvesting crops is a "time-sensitive" job, which can cost individual farmers millions of dollars if they aren't able to get equipment repaired within the necessary time frame, Winterton said.
Though the complaints Winterton received focused primarily on farm equipment, the right to repair movement has sprung up in states around the country and focused on a range of consumer products. California recently enacted such a law, which covers most consumer electronics and appliances made and sold after July 1, 2021, according to Gizmodo.
Only five states — California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York and Massachusetts — have passed some form of right to repair legislation, but several dozen have considered right to repair bills this year, according to the Repair Association.
Lawmakers seemed interested in addressing the issue, and possibly expanding it to cover other consumer goods.
"I just want to say I think this is a great concept and if you chose to expand it out, I would be very, very supportive of that," said Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain. "Let me know how I can help."
However, the process will likely take more time than lawmakers have in the upcoming general session, and it's not yet clear what the language of the bill would actually include.
"We can at least take early steps ... but I think this is the first conversation in a multi-year effort," said Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, who is the Senate chair of the committee.
