Colorado state lawmakers are debating House Bill 23-1011, which would give farmers and ranchers the right to repair their equipment.
The bill requires that agricultural equipment manufacturers provide parts, embedded software, firmware, tools or documentation such as diagnostic, maintenance or repair manuals, to allow independent repair providers and owners of agricultural equipment to perform work on the equipment.
The bill stipulates that any manufacturer that withholds repair information would be considered to be participating in a deceptive trade practice.
“Farming is a business built on tight timelines and thin margins,” Rep. Ron Weinberg (R-CO-51), one of the bill sponsors, told local news outlet Denver 7. “Giving producers the freedom to repair their equipment will give Colorado farmers a leg up.”
