Vermont Fair Repair Act (H.161)
Vermont House Bill 161 presents significant concerns regarding business operations, manufacturer relationships, and customer safety. While the bill claims to promote "fair repair," it introduces risks that could negatively impact equipment distributors, manufacturers, and customers.
It is unnecessary. The existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) already provide Vermont farmers with the support they need. Establishing a private cause of action against dealers and OEMs based on the pricing of parts, tools, and documentation is problematic. It could lead to unnecessary legal challenges and disputes within the industry.
It is vague. The legislation lacks clarity regarding the tools and documentation that must be provided for repair. As currently written, the definitions are broader than intended, which could complicate compliance. Key terms such as repair, diagnosis, and maintenance need to be defined to ensure they are directly tied to the restoration of the product to OEM design specifications and applicable emissions and safety standards.
It is not flexible. Repair solutions must meet customer needs while ensuring compliance with emissions and safety standards. This bill seeks to limit technological flexibility by prohibiting the use of validation processes and/or requiring internet access in ways that are not practical for modern machinery. Read the bill here.
Download the list of Vermont lawmakers that visited with AED members in Williston, Rutland and Springfield.