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HB 1909

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR

104th Regular Session Introduced by Murri Briel and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1909 grants farmers and independent technicians legal right to repair agricultural equipment and access manufacturer parts, diagnostics, and manuals without manufacturer restrictions.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1909

Legislative bill overview

HB 1909 addresses the right to repair agricultural equipment by establishing legal protections for farmers and independent repair technicians to access repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts for agricultural machinery. The bill aims to prevent manufacturers from using proprietary restrictions to force farmers into authorized dealer repair networks.

Why is this important

Farmers currently face significant costs and operational disruptions when equipment breaks down because manufacturers control repair access through software locks and parts restrictions. This bill could reduce repair costs, minimize downtime during critical growing seasons, and support rural independent repair shops—which are economically important to agricultural communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Manufacturer concerns: Equipment makers argue that repair access could enable unauthorized modifications affecting safety, emissions compliance, and warranty accountability—issues particularly sensitive for precision agriculture technology
  • Data and intellectual property: Disputes over whether providing diagnostic tools and manuals constitutes forced disclosure of trade secrets and proprietary software code
  • Implementation scope: Unclear definitions of what constitutes "reasonable access" to parts and diagnostics, potentially creating litigation over compliance standards

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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