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Bill Summary · HB 390

Legislative bill overview

HB 390 would establish a "right to repair" law for agricultural equipment in Montana, requiring manufacturers to provide farmers and independent repair shops access to repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts necessary to fix their own equipment. The bill aims to prevent manufacturers from using proprietary software and restrictions to monopolize repair services for farm machinery.

Why is this important

Farmers often face situations where equipment breaks down during critical harvest periods, but manufacturers restrict repairs to authorized dealers, creating costly delays and dependence on manufacturer-controlled service networks. This legislation would give agricultural operators more autonomy and potentially reduce repair costs by enabling independent repair shops and owner-performed maintenance, which is particularly important in rural Montana's farming economy.

Potential points of contention

  • Manufacturer intellectual property concerns: Equipment makers argue that providing diagnostic access and repair information exposes proprietary technology, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in connected farm equipment, and could enable unauthorized modifications
  • Warranty and liability issues: Manufacturers worry that owner repairs could void warranties or create liability problems if improperly repaired equipment causes injury or environmental damage
  • Implementation costs: Defining which parts/information must be disclosed and enforcing compliance across multi-state manufacturers creates regulatory complexity and potential compliance costs passed to consumers

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

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