S.21.1-13: Right to Repair Act (Law'd)

[tmthforu94]

AN ACT
To give a right to repair products you own

Be it enacted by the Southern Chamber of Delegates

Section I. Title and Definitions
I. This bill may be known as the Right to Repair Act.
II. "Consumer electronic device" shall be defined as any item that uses active devices to control electron flow by amplification and rectification and is intended for everyday use.

Section II. Substance
I. Any person in the Southern region shall be allowed to repair or modify any electronic device in their ownership.
II. No business that offers repair services shall be barred from accepting a client with a consumer electronic device to be repaired.
III. All current regulations that only permit a means to repair a device or obtain repair parts through one of their authorized vendors or original equipment manufacturers (OEM) shall be considered null and unenforceable under Southern law. This shall not prevent businesses from voiding a warranty should a consumer opt out of using an authorized vendor.
IV. Nothing in this Act shall prevent authorized vendors or OEMs from providing repair services of their own.
V. This Act shall go into effect one week following the signing of this legislation by the Governor.

Sponsor: Governor LT

Minimum 48 hours for debate. The sponsor is invited to advocate for the bill.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

I came up with this bill because I think that it is a good idea to allow people to get their items repaired for the lowest cost they can get. This bill allows for more competition in our economy, and repairing and modifying electronic devices is good for the environment since it encourages less waste.

[tmthforu94]

One of my initial concerns is that a lot of times, businesses will put these regulations in place to uphold and protect their warranty. If a company requires that you fix it through their process in order to qualify for the warrant and then someone opts not to, the warranty usually becomes null and void. Will that still be an approved practice if this is passed?

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

One of my initial concerns is that a lot of times, businesses will put these regulations in place to uphold and protect their warranty. If a company requires that you fix it through their process in order to qualify for the warrant and then someone opts not to, the warranty usually becomes null and void. Will that still be an approved practice if this is passed?

I think it would still be a permissible practice if passed, but I guess Section 2-III can be written more clearly to ensure that. The focus of this bill is that after warranties expire on products, there can be a means to repair them more cheaply since for some items people still have to go through the producer company for repairs and pay for them at a high price. If there is a warranty still in effect, it can still be voided if one goes through a third party repair vendor.

[tmthforu94]

Amendment offered, as per above discussion:

AN ACT
To give a right to repair products you own

Be it enacted by the Southern Chamber of Delegates

Section I. Title and Definitions
I. This bill may be known as the Right to Repair Act.
II. "Consumer electronic device" shall be defined as any item that uses active devices to control electron flow by amplification and rectification and is intended for everyday use.

Section II. Substance
I. Any person in the Southern region shall be allowed to repair or modify any electronic device in their ownership.
II. No business that offers repair services shall be barred from accepting a client with a consumer electronic device to be repaired.
III. All current regulations that only permit a means to repair a device or obtain repair parts through one of their authorized vendors or original equipment manufacturers (OEM) shall be considered null and unenforceable under Southern law. This shall not prevent businesses from voiding a warranty should a consumer opt out of using an authorized vendor.
IV. Nothing in this Act shall prevent authorized vendors or OEMs from providing repair services of their own.
V. This Act shall go into effect one week following the signing of this legislation by the Governor.

24 hours for objections.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

No objection.

[tmthforu94]

The amendment is adopted, debate resumes.

[tmthforu94]

Any additional commentary, or are we ready for a final vote?

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I feel ready to move on to a final vote. Not sure about others though.

[tmthforu94]

I am motioning for a final vote, 24 hours to object.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

No objection.

[tmthforu94]

A final vote has started, please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.


Aye

[If my soul was made of stone]

AYE

[Holy Unifying Centrist]

AYE

[reagente]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

This has enough votes to pass, delegates have 24 hours to change their votes.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Aye

[reagente]

The bill passes with 5 yeas, and 2 not voting. It will be presented to the governor for signature.