Oregon has become the fourth state in the nation to enact a “right to repair” law to make it easier for consumers and independent shops to repair electronic devices.
Signed by Governor Tina Kotek Senate Bill 1596 On Thursday, manufacturers will be required to provide documentation, parts, tools and other equipment needed to repair electronic devices at a “fair cost” and on “reasonable” terms.
“This is a win for consumers and will help close the digital divide and support small businesses across the state,” Kotek said in a statement.
The bill will take effect in January. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Janine Solman, D-Hillsboro, who first began pushing for the bill in 2021. He won confirmation this Congress with support from Democrats and several Republicans, including Republican Sen. Kim Thatcher of Kaiser. The minority who opposed the bill were Republicans.
“Our new Right to Repair Act is a reasonable, common-sense step to reduce costs and put more power back in the hands of consumers,” Solman said in a statement.
The law is expected to make it cheaper for consumers and independent repair shops to repair electronic devices such as smartphones and computers. It is also expected to reduce emissions and e-waste. Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville) said Oregonians throw away nearly 5,000 cell phones every day, and if they kept them for another year, that would mean 8,100 cars off the road. He said it would be equivalent to removing it from the
Supporters say the law will also benefit marginalized communities who are often sidelined in the digital world.a 2021 Report A report to Congress from the Federal Trade Commission said consumer products are becoming increasingly difficult to repair and maintain, and communities of color are disproportionately affected.
The bill received broad support from small businesses and consumer advocacy groups, including OSPIRG, a statewide public interest group.
“Manufacturers can no longer use anti-consumer software to prevent third-party repairs,” OSPIRG Director Charlie Fisher said in a statement. “Small and medium-sized vendors will be able to modify consumer technology without threatening device performance.”
Only one major manufacturer, Apple, opposed the bill. Apple representatives who testified against the bill said it would undermine the company's security efforts, but lawmakers questioned that assertion. The company has come under increased regulatory scrutiny, with the European Union recently fining the company about $2 billion and 15 states, including Oregon, joining the ban. US Department of Justice files suit This month, he accused Apple of trying to illegally corner the smartphone market.
In addition to Oregon, Minnesota, New York, and California also have right-to-repair technology laws. Massachusetts approved a vehicle right-to-repair law, and Colorado adopted wheelchair and farmers laws.
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