The proposed bill, H.161, known as the Vermont Fair Repair Act, aims to enhance consumer protection by requiring original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of agricultural, electronic, and forestry equipment to provide independent repair providers and equipment owners with access to necessary parts, tools, and documentation for repairs. The bill emphasizes the importance of equitable access to these resources to ensure that repairs can be performed in a safe, reliable, and sustainable manner. It introduces definitions for various terms related to the equipment and repair processes, including "independent repair provider," "authorized repair provider," and "embedded software," among others.

Key provisions of the bill include a mandate for OEMs to make available the same parts, tools, and documentation to independent repair providers as they do to authorized providers, and to ensure that any security-related functions necessary for repairs are also accessible. The bill prohibits OEMs from imposing unreasonable costs or burdens on independent repair providers and owners, such as requiring them to become authorized providers or imposing excessive registration requirements. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not require OEMs to disclose trade secrets and outlines the limitations of its application, including exclusions for motor vehicle manufacturers and medical device manufacturers. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.