Journalist: Cole Norris (SE)
This session one member from each chamber has submitted bills with the intention of protecting the right of consumers to repair their own farm equipment and electronics respectively, without needing any kind of authorization or permit from the manufacturer. Senate Bill No. OSU-002, introduced by Sen. Caves from Oklahoma State University, or the “Agricultural Right to Repair Act” would change the law so that any manufacturer of tractors, harvesters, combines, planters, or other heavy machinery must make it possible for whoever buys their products to repair them independently of the company that sold the product. Similarly, House Bill No. ORU-004, or the “Oklahoma Fair Repair & Ownership Rights Act” by Rep. Hornek from Oral Roberts University seeks to provide similar guarantees to owners of electronic items such as computers, gaming consoles, or televisions.
Nearly all Oklahomans own at least one item covered by one or both of these bills. If either bill were to pass into law, it would be a great boon to consumers. When a consumer buys a product, it is generally under the assumption that doing so means they own it and can do what they please with it. There is no good reason why the company that manufactured a particular product should be able to dictate what one does with it or force them to pay money or otherwise receive permission to repair the product if it gets damaged. By making “lockout” devices that make it impossible to repair equipment illegal, and by mandating that replacement parts and instructions be provided by manufacturers to consumers, either of these bills could greatly improve the lives of many Oklahomans.
Through the rest of the week, both the House and Senate will hear a multitude of bills. It will be interesting to see how these bills are amended, if at all, and whether they pass easily or are controversial.