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H 161

An act relating to the Vermont Fair Repair Act

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anne Donahue and 3 co-sponsors

The Vermont Fair Repair Act requires manufacturers to give independent repair providers and consumers access to repair information, tools, software, and genuine parts on reasonable

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
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Bill Summary · H 161

Summary of H 161 (2025-2026) – An act relating to the Vermont Fair Repair Act

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Vermont Fair Repair Act to promote consumer choice and competition in the repair of personal and small-business devices and equipment.
  • Aims to ensure access to necessary repair information, tools, and parts so owners and independent repair technicians can diagnose, repair, and maintain products effectively.
  • Seeks to balance manufacturer interests with consumer rights, potentially reducing waste and extending product lifespans.

Key provisions and changes

  • Right to repair information and tools

    • Requires manufacturers to provide access to diagnostic and repair information, including manuals, schematics, software updates, and replacement part specifications, to independent repair providers and end-users.
    • May include requirements for accessibility of this information on reasonable terms and timelines.

  • Availability of parts and tools

    • Mandates the availability of genuine replacement parts to consumers and independent repair shops for a defined period after a product’s market introduction.
    • Could include provisions for reasonable pricing and supply chain access to components needed for common repairs.

  • Repair documentation and software access

    • Stipulates access to necessary software, firmware, and unlocking procedures required to diagnose and repair devices.
    • Addresses restrictions that would impede repair by third parties, potentially prohibiting overly burdensome anti-tampering measures that defeat repairability.

  • Consumer protections and safety

    • Ensures that repairs performed by independent technicians or owners do not compromise safety standards.
    • May require clear labeling or disclosures about warranty implications and safety considerations related to repairs.

  • Enforcement and compliance

    • Establishes mechanisms to enforce the right to repair, including potential penalties for noncompliance by manufacturers.
    • May create or designate a state enforcement authority or empower the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development or a similar entity to handle complaints and compliance actions.

  • Scope and applicability

    • Applies to a broad range of consumer electronics, household appliances, and potentially equipment used by small businesses, with possible exclusions for certain professional-grade or critical-use devices.
    • Defines standards that manufacturers must meet to ensure repairability without voiding warranties, subject to specific carve-outs if necessary.

Who would be affected

  • Consumers and small businesses
    • Benefit from easier access to repair information, parts, and tools, potentially lowering repair costs and extending product life.
  • Independent repair shops and technicians
    • Gain legally protected access to necessary resources to service a wider array of devices.
  • Manufacturers and distributors
    • Would need to adjust business practices to share information, parts, and software access on non-discriminatory terms.
  • Warranties and consumer safety regulators
    • Warranties may be clarified regarding repairs, and safety regulators would oversee compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Initial steps
    • Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development as of February 7, 2025.
  • Next stages (typical for such bills)
    • Committee hearings, potential amendments, and eventual floor consideration in the Vermont Legislature.
    • If enacted, effective dates for new requirements would be specified in the final bill language (often phased in over months to a few years).

Notes

  • Co-sponsors include Chloe Tomlinson, Anne Donahue, Monique Priestley, and Michael Marcotte.
  • The bill’s actual text would specify definitions, timelines, penalties, and precise scope; this summary reflects typical provisions expected in a state fair repair framework and the information available from the action history.

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

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