PROVIDENCE – Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, D-Lincoln, has introduced two bills aimed at protecting residents’ right to repair their possessions.
The bills address anti-competitive practices that hinder consumers, particularly in the agricultural sector, where obtaining repair services has become prohibitively costly and time-consuming, according to a General Assembly news release.
The Agricultural Equipment Right to Repair Act would mandate that manufacturers provide independent service providers with necessary parts and information to repair agricultural equipment.
Currently, farmers face long delays and additional expenses when they must return their equipment to dealers for maintenance.
“At this time, most farmers have to have their tractors towed way to a dealer to have their tractors fixed when they break down,” Shallcross Smith said. “This current procedure is costly and time-consuming. The time to fix the tractor could take several days or weeks – time they need for growing and harvesting their crops.”
Additionally, the Digital Electronics Right to Repair Act, designed to curb electronic waste, focuses on digital devices sold in the state after Jan. 1, 2027, granting independent repair providers access to components and diagnostic tools.
Shallcross Smith said that extending the lifespan of electronic devices can lead to substantial environmental benefits.
“Over 400,000 cellphones end up in landfills every day. If all Americans kept their phones for just one year longer, it would be the equivalent of taking 636,000 cars off the road in terms of emissions reduction,” she said.
Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com.
