Bill > H0161

This bill establishes the Vermont Fair Repair Act, which requires original equipment manufacturers of agricultural, electronic, and forestry equipment to provide independent repair providers and equipment owners with the same parts, tools, and documentation that they make available to their authorized repair providers. The bill defines key terms such as "agricultural equipment," "independent repair provider," and "parts," and establishes that manufacturers must make available necessary components for diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing equipment, including security-related features. The legislation prohibits manufacturers from imposing unreasonable costs or burdens on independent repair providers, such as requiring registration or approval of parts, or forcing providers to become authorized repair providers. The bill includes important limitations: manufacturers are not required to disclose trade secrets, and independent repair providers cannot use the parts and tools to violate emissions, copyright, trademark, or patent laws. The legislation also clarifies that manufacturers and authorized repair providers are not liable for negligent repairs by independent providers, with exceptions for repairs using defective manufacturer-provided parts. Enforcement is assigned to the Attorney General, who can investigate and take civil action against violations. The act will take effect on January 1, 2026, and notably excludes motor vehicles and medical devices from its provisions.