This bill aims to enhance the right to repair farm equipment and lawn mowers by ensuring that independent repair providers and owners have equal access to diagnostic, service, and repair documentation as authorized repair providers. Specifically, it mandates that manufacturers make this information available at no charge or under the same conditions as provided to authorized repair providers. Additionally, manufacturers are required to sell farm equipment, lawn mowers, and service parts to independent repair providers and owners under fair and reasonable terms, although they are not obligated to sell parts that are no longer available. The bill also stipulates that manufacturers must provide diagnostic repair tools with capabilities equivalent to those available to their own staff.
Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to protect manufacturers' proprietary information by clarifying that they are not required to disclose trade secrets or non-diagnostic documentation. It also establishes penalties for manufacturers who violate these requirements, imposing a civil penalty of up to $500 for each offense. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve repair options for consumers and foster competition in the market by reducing reliance on manufacturers for repairs.