Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 4, 2023 11:51 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Mike Regan |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Right-to-Repair |
| I plan to introduce Right-to-Repair legislation similar to Senate Bill 998 from last session, sponsored by Senator Vogel, to give consumers the ability to repair their own electronics or have them repaired by independent repair technicians. Currently, many manufacturers make this impossible to do, whether inadvertently or intentionally. This leaves consumers with few other options than to buy new, pay outrageous fees, or to travel hours away. Modern repairs involve electronics. Repairing those electronics requires parts, firmware access, and tooling specifications from the product designers. The knowledge and tools to repair and refurbish products should be distributed as widely and freely as the products themselves. My legislation would require original equipment manufacturers of electronics and appliances that contain embedded software, such as cellphones, washers, dryers, refrigerators, televisions, and laptops, to make available to consumers and independent repair shops the information and parts needed to repair those devices and fully disclose any contract provision standing in the way of full repair and reuse. It is important to note that my proposal does not encompass medical or agricultural equipment. Creating an economy around extending the lifespan of manufactured goods will create jobs and will also benefit the environment through less e-waste. Product owners deserve the right to repair their products or have them serviced at the independent repair facility or small business of their choice, just as they do for their vehicles when choosing between an auto dealer, an independent mechanic, or their own skills. Please join me in co-sponsoring this consumer-friendly legislation. Previous co-sponsors of SB 998 were: ARGALL, BARTOLOTTA, BREWSTER, CAPPELLETTI, COLLETT, FONTANA, KANE, KEARNEY, MARTIN, MASTRIANO, SANTARSIERO, SCAVELLO, SCHWANK, TARTAGLIONE, and J. WARD. |
Introduced as SB744