Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

Michigan House Bill HB4673

Introduced
5/25/23  
Refer
5/25/23  

Caption

Trade: business regulation; agricultural equipment repair act; create. Creates new act.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of HB 4673 is the formalization of a legal framework that requires manufacturers to provide necessary parts and documentation under fair and reasonable terms. This could reshape business practices in the agricultural sector, encouraging more independent services and reducing dependency on OEMs. However, it also stipulates clear boundaries for OEMs, such as not mandating them to disclose trade secrets or proprietary information unless necessary for compliance with the Act. This cautious approach aims to protect the intellectual property while fostering a more competitive repair market.

Summary

House Bill 4673, known as the Agricultural Equipment Repair Act, mandates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and authorized repair providers of agricultural equipment make essential parts, tools, and documentation available to independent repair providers and owners. The bill's aim is to enhance repair access and ensure fair market practices, facilitating the diagnostics and maintenance of various agricultural machinery. This initiative supports an ecosystem where farmers and independent technicians can manage repairs without strictly relying on OEMs, thus promoting more competition and potentially lowering costs for repairs in the agricultural sector.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 4673 include the balance between protecting OEMs' proprietary rights and ensuring independent repair providers have fair access to necessary tools and parts. Some OEMs have expressed concerns that the bill could infringe on their ability to control the quality and safety of repairs conducted by independent providers. Additionally, the interpretation of 'fair and reasonable terms' is subjective, and there may be disputes over what constitutes fair pricing for parts and services. There is also apprehension regarding the potential for unauthorized modifications that could arise from increased access to repair functionalities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MI SB0302

Trade: business regulation; agricultural equipment repair act; create. Creates new act.

MI HB4651

Vehicles: agricultural equipment; definitions for the agricultural equipment repair act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4650'23

MI SB0342

Vehicles: agricultural equipment; definitions for the agricultural equipment repair act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0341'23

MI HB4562

Trade: consumer goods and services; digital electronic equipment repair act; create. Creates new act.

MI SB0686

Trade: consumer goods and services; digital electronic equipment repair act; create. Creates new act.

MI HB4609

Vehicles: agricultural equipment; original equipment manufacturers of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment to provide certain parts, tools, and documentation to owners and independent repair providers; require. Creates new act.

MI SB2669

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR

MI HB1909

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR

MI S2518

Agricultural Equipment Right To Repair Act

MI H7535

General Regulatory Provisions Agricultural Equipment Right To Repair Act

Similar Bills

MS SB2005

Agricultural equipment; provides farmers with the right to repair their own.

MI SB0302

Trade: business regulation; agricultural equipment repair act; create. Creates new act.

MI HB4609

Vehicles: agricultural equipment; original equipment manufacturers of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment to provide certain parts, tools, and documentation to owners and independent repair providers; require. Creates new act.

IL HB1909

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR

IL SB2669

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR

MT SB347

Revise right to repair laws relating to agriculture

DE HB176

An Act To Amend Title 3 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Delaware Agricultural Equipment Right To Repair Act.

TN SB2035

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43 and Title 47, Chapter 18, relative to agricultural equipment.