Bill > HB390

This bill creates the Montana Agricultural Equipment Repair Bill of Rights Act, which requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and equipment owners with fair access to documentation, parts, and tools necessary for diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing agricultural equipment. The bill defines key terms such as "agricultural equipment" (which includes farming and agricultural production machinery, but excludes motor vehicles and construction equipment) and establishes that manufacturers must make repair resources available without imposing unreasonable restrictions. Manufacturers are prohibited from using software or technical methods to prevent third-party repairs, such as creating artificial barriers that reduce equipment functionality or using parts pairing to limit repair options. The bill also specifies that manufacturers are not required to disclose trade secrets or provide parts that are no longer available, and they are not liable for damages caused by independent repair providers during repair work. Notably, the law will become effective on January 1, 2026, and will automatically terminate if the U.S. Congress enacts federal right-to-repair legislation for agricultural equipment. The primary goal of this legislation is to give farmers and independent repair shops more flexibility and control in maintaining and fixing their agricultural machinery, potentially reducing repair costs and equipment downtime.

Business and Industry

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2219