(The Center Square) – A pair of Wisconsin legislators introduced a Right to Repair bill for farm equipment soon after the state’s attorney general joined a five-state lawsuit on the matter.
The bill would require manufacturers of agricultural equipment to make repair documentation, data, parts, and necessary tools available to owners and independent servicers at fair costs.
The lawsuit was aimed directly at John Deere while the legislation does not name the company. John Deere is accused of unfairly blocking farmers from using independent repair shops because John Deere equipment requires a software tool that only licensed repair shops have to diagnose electronic issues with the equipment.
Wisconsin Sens. Sarah Keyeski, D-Lodi, and Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, say the bill also protects manufacturers from liability for repair conducted by owners or their independent service providers.
“This is about making sure our farmers can do what is best for them and their situation without unnecessary restrictions by large manufacturers,” Pfaff said. “By opening up these monopolistic repair arrangements, Wisconsin can support farmers struggling with rising costs, increase competition among service providers, and create jobs in our local communities.”
Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona and the Federal Trade Commission are part of the lawsuit.
Colorado was the first to pass a right-to-repair law, which was signed by Gov. Jared Polis in 2023 and went into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
“Farmers Union members have spoken out time and again that the lack of repair options is hurting their bottom line,” said Darin Von Ruden, President of Wisconsin Farmers Union. “Wisconsin Farmers Union supports Fair Repair and Right to Repair legislation that would allow farmers and independent mechanics access to diagnostic software, information, and other tools in order to repair modern equipment. We need to address the monopoly crisis in agriculture and to promote fair and competitive markets. Farmers deserve the Right to Repair their own equipment.”