Colorado’s “Right-to-Repair” bill was withdrawn by sponsors during a May 27 hearing of the Business and Labor Affairs Committee at the Colorado Capital.

With limited public participation due to COVID-19 restrictions, Rep. Brianna Titone and Rep. Jonathon Singer acknowledged opposition to HB 1195 “Consumer Digital Repair Bill of Rights,” including significant concerns from committee members.

Titone and Singer noted the complexity of the issue, specifically as it relates to farm equipment. The committee unanimously agreed to Postpone Indefinitely the legislation. Both lawmakers described “right-to-repair” as “near and dear” to their hearts and said to expect a revised proposal next year. They asked committee members to work with them on a compromise bill. Committee Chair Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp and Singer are seeking county offices and will not return to the state legislature next year.

“So just to put it on the record, there was a number of concerns expressed by committee members,” Kraft-Tharp said. “My suggestion is that conversation would include those areas of concern.”

Far West Equipment Dealers Association coordinated Feb. 27 meetings with Colorado dealers, legislators and bill sponsors District 27 Rep. Brianna Titone, District 11 Rep. Jonathan Singer and District 13 Sen. John Cooke, “right-to-repair” advocates and a farmers’ representative to discuss the proposed legislation. FWEDA President and CEO Joani Woelfel, dealers and manufacturer representatives outlined potential impacts of the bill, which include a recently announced EPA initiative targeting emissions systems defeat devices that jeopardizes dealers.

The group affirmed examples of the equipment industry’s commitment to support consumers’ right to repair their equipment. Far West extended an invitation to coordinate a demo of diagnostic tools to illustrate what the equipment industry does to support customers in repairing their equipment.  The demo would take place when it is feasible to do so given COVID-19 restrictions.

FWEDA worked with EDA, its affiliates, AEM and manufacturers in forming the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering this past year. The coalition opposes “right-to-repair” advocates’ attempts to access source code to modify and override emissions, performance and other safety features. Similar “model” bills were introduced in Arizona and Hawaii this year, neither advanced through the legislature.