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HF 970

Original equipment manufacturer required to facilitate the repair of farm equipment.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ethan Cha and 9 co-sponsors

The bill requires OEMs to enable third-party repair of farm equipment by sharing diagnostic tools, repair info, and parts on reasonable terms.

Author added Jones
#agricultureandagriculturedepartment #commercedepartment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 970

Summary of HF 970 (2025-2026) – Original Equipment Manufacturer Required to Facilitate Repair of Farm Equipment

Purpose and Intent

HF 970 proposes a mandate requiring original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to facilitate the repair of farm equipment. The core aim is to ensure farmers, independent repair shops, and other stakeholders have access to the necessary tools, information, and parts to diagnose and repair agricultural machinery, potentially addressing concerns about “right to repair” for farm equipment.

Key Provisions (as introduced and circulated through the 2025-2026 session)

  • Right to Repair Facilitated by OEMs: The bill would obligate OEMs to take actions that enable repair of their agricultural equipment by third parties. This typically includes granting access to repair information, diagnostic tools, and potentially parts under terms that enable independent technicians and farmers to service equipment.
  • Access to Diagnostic Tools and Information: OEMs must provide reasonable access to:
    • Diagnostic software, manuals, and service information
    • Technical data required to diagnose and fix faults
    • Guidance or support necessary for safe and effective repair
  • Parts Availability: The bill may require OEMs to make available replacement parts to independent repair providers on reasonable terms, which could include pricing, supply limits, or royalty considerations. (Exact terms would be specified in the bill text; the summary notes suggest parts access as a typical element of right-to-repair provisions.)
  • Repair Communications: Requirements for how repair information is shared (format, cadence, security considerations) to ensure independent shops can obtain timely data.
  • Compliance and Enforcement: Provisions likely outline penalties or remedies for non-compliance, including potential civil penalties, injunctive relief, or enforcement by a state agency.
  • Scope of Equipment Covered: The bill targets agricultural or farm equipment manufactured by OEMs, with possible limitations or definitions around what qualifies (e.g., tractors, combines, planters, harvesters, and related machinery).

Affected Parties

  • Farmers and Operators: Beneficiaries who would gain access to repair information and parts, potentially reducing downtime and repair costs.
  • Independent Repair Shops and Dealers: Providers that service farm equipment would gain lawful access to necessary tools and data to perform repairs.
  • Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): Subject to new obligations to share information, tools, and parts under the terms set by the bill.
  • Agricultural Equipment Markets and Service Networks: Indirectly affected through changes in repair channels, competition, and maintenance practices.
  • State Agencies (Procurement/Regulatory): Potential enforcement and oversight roles to ensure compliance.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and First Reading: February 17, 2025.
  • Referral: Referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy committee (initial stage for consideration).
  • Subsequent Actions: The bill’s action history shows amendments to authors over time, with changes as of March 2025 and March 2026, including:
    • Author additions and substitutions (e.g., Stephenson, Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Allen changes).
    • March 23, 2026: Co-sponsor Jones added.
  • Sponsorship: Primary sponsors and co-sponsors include a list of lawmakers representing diverse districts. Notable co-sponsors include Katie Jones, Alex Falconer, Andy Smith, Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Kaohly Her, Luke Frederick, Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, Ethan Cha, Zack Stephenson, and Kristi Pursell.
  • Status: The bill’s status in this summary reflects its placement and sponsorship history; final passage, committee reports, or floor action are not detailed here. The provided timeline indicates it is under active consideration with multiple sponsor changes through 2026.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Farm Equipment Repair Accessibility: If enacted, farmers and independent repair providers could experience improved access to necessary repair resources, potentially lowering downtime and repair costs.
  • OEM Business Model Adjustments: OEMs may need to adapt their business practices to share proprietary diagnostic data, software interfaces, and parts, balancing competitive interests with repair accessibility.
  • Consumer and Market Effects: Greater repair competition could impact authorized dealer service revenue and aftermarket parts markets. It may also influence equipment resale value and lifecycle management for farms.
  • Implementation Details: The bill’s effectiveness depends on definitions (what constitutes “repair information,” “diagnostic tools,” and “reasonable terms” for parts) and the enforcement framework.

Note

This summary is based on the bill’s title, action history, and typical elements of “right to repair” legislation for agricultural equipment. For a comprehensive understanding, review the full bill text, amended language, and committee analyses to confirm exact definitions, obligations, enforcement mechanisms, and effective dates.

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

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