Bill > HF970

This bill requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of farm equipment to facilitate repair by making documentation, parts, and tools available to owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. Specifically, the bill expands existing digital electronics right-to-repair laws to include farm equipment, mandating that manufacturers provide repair resources within 60 days of a product's first sale in Minnesota. The bill prohibits manufacturers from using technical methods like parts pairing or proprietary firmware to prevent third-party repairs, such as creating false warnings about non-approved parts or limiting who can purchase repair components. Farm equipment manufacturers must provide tools and documentation at no charge, though they may charge for physical tool preparation and shipping. The legislation includes several important limitations, such as protecting trade secrets, ensuring that repairs do not compromise safety systems or violate emissions standards, and maintaining that OEMs are not liable for damage caused by independent repairs unless the damage stems from a manufacturing defect. The bill defines key terms like "farm equipment" and "independent repair provider" and explicitly excludes certain types of equipment like medical devices and motor vehicles from its provisions.

Business and Industry

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0970&ssn=0&y=2025