Arkansas House Bill HB1852

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/25
• Refer: 3/19/25
• Report Pass: 4/2/25
• Engrossed: 4/7/25
• Refer: 4/7/25
• Failed: 5/5/25

Caption

To Establish A Right To Repair For Certain Agricultural Equipment.

Impact

If approved, HB1852 would significantly reshape the relationship between manufacturers of agricultural equipment and farmers. It mandates that manufacturers provide access to the required tools and software on fair and reasonable terms, thus ensuring that farmers and independent repair facilities can diagnose, maintain, and repair equipment reliably. Notably, the bill includes provisions to protect intellectual property and safety, highlighting that while it fosters repair rights, it does not undermine safety protocols or emissions control requirements set forth by federal and state laws.

Summary

House Bill 1852, introduced by Representative J. Moore and Senator Stone, seeks to amend current Arkansas law regarding agricultural equipment by establishing a 'Right to Repair' framework. The bill primarily aims to ensure that farmers have timely and fair access to the necessary tools, software, and documentation for the maintenance and repair of their agricultural machinery, particularly those reliant on digital technology. This intention is underpinned by the belief that farmers should maintain control over their equipment and perform repairs independently or through independent repair facilities without unnecessary hurdles.

Contention

While proponents of HB1852 argue that it enhances farmers' rights and eagerness for self-sufficiency, potential points of contention include concerns from manufacturers regarding the risk of compromising proprietary information and safety standards. Some opponents may view this as an overreach that could lead to unauthorized modifications of equipment, thereby raising safety and compliance issues in the agricultural sector. Therefore, the balance between enabling repair rights and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance will be critical in discussions around this legislation.