This bill amends Section 604.40 of the Florida Statutes to enhance consumer protections regarding defective farm equipment. It introduces a definition for "farm equipment" and establishes a process for consumers to report defects to manufacturers or their authorized agents within the warranty period or within one year of delivery. Upon receiving such reports, manufacturers are required to repair the equipment at no cost to the consumer. If repairs are unsuccessful after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must either replace the equipment with comparable items or refund the consumer's purchase price, including associated fees.

Additionally, the bill outlines a presumption that a manufacturer has made a reasonable number of attempts to fix a defect if the same issue has been reported three or more times. However, this presumption is contingent upon the manufacturer receiving prior written notification from the consumer. The bill also provides affirmative defenses for manufacturers, such as claims that a nonconformity does not significantly impair the equipment's use or value, or that the issue arose from consumer abuse or unauthorized modifications. Consumers are granted the right to pursue civil action for violations of this chapter, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 386 Filed: 604.40