The 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 allows consumers to report defects to manufacturers or their authorized agents during 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 establishes a presumption that a manufacturer has made a reasonable number of attempts to repair the equipment if the same defect has been addressed three or more times without resolution. However, this presumption is contingent upon the manufacturer receiving prior written notification from the consumer. The bill also outlines affirmative defenses for manufacturers and allows consumers to pursue civil action for any losses incurred due to violations of this chapter. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 637 Filed: 604.40