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Bill > SB148

WI SB148

The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE)

summary

Introduced
03/21/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers LRB-0923/2 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 148 from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a "right to repair" for agricultural equipment by requiring manufacturers to provide documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, and tools to equipment owners and independent repair providers upon request, at fair costs and terms. The bill defines agricultural equipment as farm-related machinery like tractors, combines, and sprayers, but excludes vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft. Key provisions include mandating that manufacturers make repair resources available, with some protections for trade secrets, and allowing manufacturers to redact sensitive information that doesn't impact the usability of the repair materials. The bill also limits manufacturer liability for repairs performed by independent providers and prevents manufacturers from creating contractual barriers that would restrict an equipment owner's ability to repair their own machinery. Penalties for non-compliance include potential investigations by state departments, the ability for individuals to sue for pecuniary losses (with potential double damages), and the possibility of state-initiated injunctions or forfeitures ranging from $100 to $10,000 per violation. The legislation aims to give farmers and independent repair shops more access to the tools and information needed to maintain and repair their agricultural equipment, potentially reducing repair costs and increasing equipment longevity.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (31)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 04/21/2025)

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