WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 235

Digital Right to Repair

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michele Rayner

Florida's HB 235 would have granted consumers legal rights to repair owned digital devices by requiring manufacturers provide parts and documentation, but died in subcommittee.

Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
#subjectindex
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 235

Legislative bill overview

HB 235 would establish consumers' legal right to repair digital devices and equipment they own, requiring manufacturers to provide access to repair parts, tools, and documentation. The bill aimed to restrict manufacturers' ability to use digital locks, proprietary parts, and service restrictions to monopolize repair markets.

Why is this important

Right-to-repair legislation directly affects consumer costs, device longevity, and electronic waste. Consumers currently face inflated repair prices when manufacturers restrict independent repairs, while mountains of functional devices are discarded because repairs are economically impractical—creating both environmental and financial consequences.

Potential points of contention

  • Manufacturer concerns: Companies argue that unrestricted repair access compromises security, voids warranties, enables counterfeiting, and undermines intellectual property protections they invested in developing
  • Implementation complexity: Defining which devices qualify, what documentation/parts must be provided, and how to enforce standards across different product categories presents significant regulatory challenges
  • Consumer safety and liability: Questions about who bears responsibility if third-party repairs cause device failure, data breaches, or safety hazards like battery fires

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

Sign in to ask a question.