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Iowa House advances Right to Repair bill for farmers

Iowa is a step closer to implementing its own Right to Repair law.

House lawmakers have passed a bill to give farmers access to tools and resources to more easily repair farm equipment, as well as more access to data collected on their machines.

Republican Representative Derek Wulf of Hudson says software locks and corporate control are costing farmers time and money.

“Today, farmers are being told that they don’t have the right to fix their equipment they paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for. Think about that. You buy it, you depend on it, but when it breaks you’re locked out.”

The legislation requires manufacturers to make parts, software and tools to make repairs on farm equipment available to the owner of the implement at fair and reasonable terms or costs. 

Colorado was the first state to pass a Right to Repair law and Sioux City Democrat J.D. Scholten says Iowa should be the second.

“Decades of consolidation, an illogical tariff plan, high input costs, and low commodity prices are combining to squeeze farmers right now. Let’s give farmers a win.”

The bill passed the House on a 70-18 vote and must be passed by the Senate before it could go to Governor Reynolds.

A spokesperson for John Deere says the legislation is not needed because farmers already have all the tools and resources available to work on their equipment.

*Audio courtesy of Radio Iowa*