The country’s most comprehensive Right to Repair legislation passed the Oregon House, receiving strong bipartisan support with 42 votes. SB 1596 will require manufacturing companies to make diagnostic tools, information, and replacement parts available to consumers and third-party repair shops so Oregonians can more affordably fix their products, such as phones, computers, and appliances.
“As many Oregonians are struggling to make ends meet, this legislation is an opportunity to give people more choice on how to repair their devices, create pathways to saving consumers money, and reduce the harmful environmental impacts of our increased reliance on technology and the waste we create when we cannot repair,” said Rep. Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville), a chief sponsor of the legislation and a legislator with demonstrated investment in livability.
“Oregon’s Right to Repair Act is about saving Oregonians money and supporting small business growth in Oregon. It provides positive environmental action by reducing e-waste, cutting pollution by manufacturing less waste and creating an after-market inventory of products to close the digital divide across our state”, said Senator Janeen Sollman (D – Hillsboro), the chief sponsor in the Senate. “Oregonians deserve to have affordable and sustainable options for repairing their electronics instead of throwing them away or replacing them.”
“With this bill, Oregon will strengthen our tradition of respecting the capability of our people to take care of their own property and to ensure that it is kept in good repair for as long as possible without subjecting ourselves to artificial external controls,” said Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-Salem). “We can and will maintain the quality and safety of our electronic gear with proper safeguards and standards.”
This bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation is the result of extensive conversations with small business, industry, and consumer stakeholders. It will now go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.