Every week, we get a roundup of recent developments in Right to Repair news, courtesy of Paul Roberts and Jack Monahan from Fight to Repair, a reader-supported publication. Sign up to receive updates in your inbox. (It’s free!) Or become a premium subscriber for access to exclusive content and live events!
A week after the Oregon House of Representatives voted to adopt the nation’s most robust right to repair legislation, Colorado’s House of Representatives did the same. In a bipartisan vote of 39 to 18, the House passed HB24-1121, sponsored by Representative Brianna Titone and Steven Woodrow, which would extend the current Colorado right to repair laws to cover electronic equipment, including cell phones, gaming systems, computers, and televisions.
Cell phones are a part of our daily lives, we should have more choices on how to fix them when they break… This bill would give consumers the tools they need to fix their broken electronics, saving them money and time on costly repairs. Right to repair laws, like this one, are important for empowering consumers and keeping e-waste out of our landfills. From tractors to mobility devices, I’m proud to carry another consumer-focused right to repair law through the legislature and save Coloradans money.
– Rep. Brianna Titone (D–Arvada)
Similar to other state right to repair laws, HB24-1121 requires digital electronic equipment manufacturers like Amazon, Apple, and Google to provide parts, software, and physical tools to consumers and independent repair providers to fix their broken electronics.
Like the recently passed Oregon bill, which is awaiting the signature of Governor Tina Kotek, the Colorado bill also prohibits parts pairing, a practice in which manufacturers use digital locks to pair replaceable parts with specific devices, restricting the ability of consumers and independent repair shops to complete repairs without the manufacturer’s involvement.
This is just the latest right to repair bill to make its way through Colorado’s legislature; the state is a leader in promoting repair laws. In 2023, the state passed a first-in-the-nation law for the right to repair agricultural equipment. And, in 2022, Colorado became the first state in the nation to pass a non-automotive right to repair law when Representatives Titone and Ortiz passed two trailblazing right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users that required wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts and software to consumers, eliminating the need for prior authorization to repair powered wheelchairs.
More News
- The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has come into effect: Targeting six major tech companies in the EU with a series of stringent rules designed to curb their market power, this groundbreaking legislation aims to ensure fairer digital markets by imposing restrictions on data usage, enforcing interoperability, and banning self-preferencing practices. Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft are the first to be designated as “gatekeepers,” subject to these new rules which affect over 20 of their core platform services. The DMA represents a significant shift from the laissez-faire approach that allowed these tech giants to dominate the digital landscape, marking an ambitious attempt by the EU to level the playing field for smaller competitors and reshape the future of digital business in Europe. With severe penalties for non-compliance, the act underscores the EU’s commitment to challenging the status quo, although its long-term impact remains to be seen.
- Apple backs down on banning rival app stores: Apple has capitulated, allowing Epic Games to develop a rival app store for iPhone and iPad users, a move prompted by Europe’s new DMA. This shift comes after Epic Games challenged Apple’s initial refusal, likely due to DMA implications. This development marks a significant change in Apple’s approach.
- Significant growth expected from repair and maintenance industry: The repair and maintenance market is expected to see serious growth in the next decade, according to a new report by the Business Research Company. With a focus on extending product lifespans and reducing waste, the market is projected to expand, driven by increasing awareness of environmental concerns. Major trends include the rise of predictive maintenance technologies and the development of innovative repair and maintenance apps.
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