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H 452

An Act relative to the right to repair for agricultural equipment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Shirley Arriaga and 8 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill allows farmers to repair agricultural equipment independently and access manufacturer parts, manuals, and diagnostics without warranty penalties or legal restrictions.

Hearing rescheduled to 10/01/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-2 and Virtual Hearing location changed
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Bill Summary · H 452

Legislative bill overview

H 452 grants farmers and agricultural equipment owners the legal right to repair their own machinery and access repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts from third-party providers. The bill restricts manufacturers from using software locks, proprietary systems, or warranty denial to prevent independent repairs.

Why is this important

Agricultural equipment represents a major capital investment for farmers, and repair costs can significantly impact farm profitability. Currently, manufacturers often monopolize repair services through exclusive dealer networks and software restrictions, limiting farmers' choices and potentially forcing expensive downtime during critical seasons.

Potential points of contention

  • Manufacturer liability concerns: Companies argue that unauthorized repairs could create safety hazards and that they shouldn't be responsible for failures resulting from amateur repairs or counterfeit parts
  • Intellectual property protection: Manufacturers claim the bill infringes on their patent rights and trade secrets embedded in diagnostic software and proprietary technology
  • Parts supply chain security: Industry may contend that unrestricted parts access could enable counterfeit components, compromising equipment safety and performance standards

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

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