Bill > H1255

This bill, titled the "Portable Wireless Device Repair Act" and the "Agricultural Equipment Fair Repair Act," aims to expand repair rights for consumers and independent repair businesses in Florida. For portable wireless devices, manufacturers will be required to make diagnostic tools, parts, and repair information available to device owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms, meaning at costs and conditions similar to what they offer authorized repair providers, with documentation provided at no charge unless requested in print. Manufacturers are also prohibited from forcing authorized repair providers to continue buying information in a proprietary format if a standardized format is available, unless that proprietary format contains unique functionality. Violations of these provisions are considered deceptive and unfair trade practices, and individuals or businesses can file complaints in circuit court after notifying the manufacturer and allowing them 30 days to fix the issue. For agricultural equipment, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must provide diagnostic and repair information, including updates to embedded software (the internal operating instructions for the equipment), to independent repair providers and owners for free or under the same terms they provide it to their authorized repair providers. OEMs cannot withhold necessary information to reset security-related electronic functions, and any contract provisions attempting to waive these repair rights are void. Violations for agricultural equipment repair can result in a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation. These provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with exceptions for certain medical devices and life-safety systems.

Business and Industry

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1255