Nebraska State Senator Tom Brandt has introduced the Agricultural Equipment Right-To-Repair Act. If it passes, it will offer farmers a way to repair their equipment without having to wait on a dealer. A similar bill was introduced in 2017 but was indefinitely postponed in 2018. Center For Rural Affairs Policy Director Johnathan Hladik says several producers he’s spoken with support Brandt’s legislation.
Technology has taken over a lot of agriculture and Brandt says the sticking point is not with the dealerships but with the original manufacturers. Hladik says while that may be true it’s difficult to separate the two which may make it tough for the bill to advance.
He says the next stop for Brandt’s legislation is the Judiciary Committee which has a lot of bills currently on their plate.
Brandt says his bill enables independent mechanics to assess what they need for a repair within reason. The measure would require the mechanic to purchase the needed tools or software from the local franchisee.
