2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
2025 ASSEMBLY BILL 135
March 13, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives PENTERMAN, BEHNKE, BRILL,
BROOKS, DITTRICH, GOEBEN, GOODWIN, GUNDRUM, KNODL, MAXEY, MELOTIK,
MIRESSE, MURPHY, MURSAU, PIWOWARCZYK, SORTWELL, SPIROS, STROUD and
WICHGERS, cosponsored by Senators JACQUE, CABRAL-GUEVARA and PFAFF.
Referred to Committee on State Affairs.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to create 218.0170 of the statutes; relating to: the right to repair
motor vehicles and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain
barriers that impair the ability of the motor vehicle owners and the persons that
repair motor vehicles from accessing motor vehicles[ vehicle-generated data, critical
repair information, or tools in order to repair the motor vehicles; that affect motor
vehicle owners[ ability to use a vehicle towing provider or service provider of their
choice; or that affect motor vehicle owners[ abilities to diagnose, repair, and
maintain their vehicle in the same manner as would the motor vehicle
manufacturer. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing
certain barriers that affect the ability of aftermarket parts manufacturers,
aftermarket parts remanufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers,
motor vehicle repair facilities, distributors, or service providers to produce or offer
compatible aftermarket parts. Additionally, the bill requires motor vehicle
manufacturers to provide to motor vehicle owners and certain other entities access
to certain data and tools related to the repair of the motor vehicles it manufactures.
The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from making certain mandates
in regards to what parts, tools, or equipment must be used on its vehicles.
A manufacturer that violates a provision of the bill is subject to a forfeiture of
$10,000 per violation.
1
2 2025 - 2026 Legislature
ASSEMBLY BILL 135
- 2 - LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
SECTION 1
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 218.0170 of the statutes is created to read:
218.0170 Right to repair motor vehicles. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this
section:
(a) XAftermarket partY means a part offered for sale or for installation in or on
a motor vehicle after the motor vehicle has left the motor vehicle manufacturer[s
production line. XAftermarket partY does not include a piece of original equipment
or part manufactured for a motor vehicle manufacturer.
(b) XBarrierY means a restriction that prohibits, makes more difficult, or
tends to make more difficult the ability of a person to exercise a right under this
section.
(c) XCritical repair information and toolsY means all necessary and
compatibility information, tools, equipment, schematics, parts nomenclature and
descriptions, parts catalogs, repair procedures, training materials, software, and
technology, including information related to diagnostics, repair, service, and
calibration or recalibration of parts and systems, used to return a motor vehicle to
operational specifications.
(d) XDistributorY has the meaning given in s. 218.0101 (6).
(e) XManufacturerY has the meaning given in s. 218.0101 (20).
(f) XMotor vehicleY has the meaning given in s. 218.0101 (22).
(g) XMotor vehicle dealerY has the meaning given in s. 218.0101 (23).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 2025 - 2026 Legislature
ASSEMBLY BILL 135
- 3 - LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
SECTION 1
(h) XMotor vehicle equipmentY has the meaning given in 49 USC 30102 (a) (8).
(i) XMotor vehicle repair facilityY means a person that, in the ordinary course
of its business, is engaged in the business of diagnosis, service, maintenance,
repair, or calibration of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment.
(j) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., XownerY means all of the following, as
applicable:
a. A person who owns a motor vehicle, or his or her designee.
b. A lessee of a motor vehicle, or his or her designee.
2. XOwnerY does not include a manufacturer, a person acting on behalf of a
manufacturer, a motor vehicle financing company, a motor vehicle dealer, or a motor
vehicle lessor.
(k) XRemanufacturerY means a person who uses a standardized industrial
process that returns previously sold, worn, or nonfunctional products to same-as-
new or better condition and performance, resulting in a fully warranted product.
(L) XService providerY means a designee of an owner or a designee of a motor
vehicle repair facility that is employed by the owner or motor vehicle repair facility
to assist with the diagnosis and repair of a motor vehicle.
(m) XSpecified legal barrierY means any of the following:
1. A request or requirement that an owner waive his or her right to use a
motor vehicle repair facility of the owner[s choice.
2. Offering compensation or another incentive in exchange for an owner
waiving his or her right to use a motor vehicle repair facility of the owner[s choice.
(n) XTechnological barrierY means a technological restriction that prohibits,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23 2025 - 2026 Legislature
ASSEMBLY BILL 135
- 4 - LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
SECTION 1
makes more difficult, or tends to make more difficult the ability of a person to
exercise a right under this section.
(o) XTelematics systemY means a system in a motor vehicle that collects
information generated by the operation of the motor vehicle and, using wireless
communication, transmits such information to a remote receiving point where it
will be stored.
(p) XVehicle-generated dataY means direct, real-time, in-vehicle data
generated by the operation of a motor vehicle that is related to the diagnostics,
repair, service, wear, and calibration or recalibration of parts and systems required
to maintain or return the motor vehicle to operational specifications in compliance
with federal motor vehicle safety and emissions laws, regulations, and standards.
(2) MANUFACTURER BARRIERS PROHIBITED. A manufacturer may not employ a
technological barrier or specified legal barrier that impairs any of the following:
(a) The ability of an owner to access his or her motor vehicle[s vehicle-
generated data that the manufacturer is required to make available under sub. (3)
(a) and (b).
(b) The ability of an owner, an aftermarket parts manufacturer, an
aftermarket parts remanufacturer, a motor vehicle equipment manufacturer, a
motor vehicle repair facility, a distributor, or a service provider to access critical
repair information and tools made available in accordance with sub. (3) (c).
(c) The ability of an owner to use a motor vehicle towing provider or service
provider of the owner[s choice.
(d) The ability of an aftermarket parts manufacturer, an aftermarket parts
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23 2025 - 2026 Legislature
ASSEMBLY BILL 135
- 5 - LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
SECTION 1
remanufacturer, a motor vehicle equipment manufacturer, a motor vehicle repair
facility, a distributor, or a service provider to produce or offer compatible
aftermarket parts.
(e) The ability of an owner to diagnose, repair, and maintain his or her motor
vehicle in the same manner as would a manufacturer or motor vehicle dealer.
(3) DATA, INFORMATION, AND TOOL ACCESS. (a) A manufacturer shall provide
to owners of the motor vehicles it manufactures access to vehicle-generated data
without restriction, limitation, fee, license, or requiring use of a device mandated by
the manufacturer to decrypt the vehicle-generated data.
(b) If a manufacturer uses wireless technology or a telematics system to
transmit vehicle-generated data, the manufacturer shall provide access to the
vehicle-generated data as required under par. (a) and in a direct and wireless
method through a standardized access platform.
(c) A manufacturer shall provide to the owners, aftermarket parts
manufacturers, aftermarket parts remanufacturers, motor vehicle equipment
manufacturers, motor vehicle repair facilities, distributors, and service providers of
the motor vehicles it manufactures access to critical repair information and tools
related to the motor vehicles it manufactures without restriction or limitation and
at a fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory cost.
(4) MANUFACTURER MANDATES PROHIBITED. Except for recall and warranty
repairs, a manufacturer may not, within repair or maintenance service procedures,
recommendations, service bulletins, repair manuals, position statements, or other
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22 2025 - 2026 Legislature
ASSEMBLY BILL 135
- 6 - LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
SECTION 1
similar repair or maintenance guidelines that are distributed to owners or
professional repairers, do any of the following:
(a) Mandate, or imply a mandate for, the use of any particular brand or
manufacturer of parts, tools, or equipment.
(b) Recommend the use of any particular brand or manufacturer of parts,
tools, or equipment, unless the manufacturer provides a prominent notice
immediately following the recommendation, in the same font used in the
recommendation and in a font size no smaller than the font size used in the
recommendation, that states the following:
NOTICE: Vehicle owners can choose which repair parts, tools, and equipment
to purchase and should carefully consider their options.
(5) CYBERSECURITY. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a
manufacturer from employing a cryptographic or technological protection
necessary to secure motor vehicles, vehicle-generated data, or safety-critical vehicle
systems from an unintended audience.
(6) DESIGNEE COUNT. A person that manages access to a motor vehicle[s
vehicle-generated data transmitted by a standardized access platform may not limit
the number or types of persons that a person who owns or leases a motor vehicle
may designate as his or her designee.
(7) CONTRACTS VOID. In regard to a contract or arrangement entered into,
renewed, or modified on or after the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts
date], a term, provision, agreement, or language in the contract or arrangement
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22 2025 - 2026 Legislature
ASSEMBLY BILL 135
- 7 - LRB-0007/1
JAM:skw&wlj
SECTION 1
that waives, avoids, restricts, or limits the manufacturer[s obligations under this
section is void and unenforceable.
(8) PENALTY. A manufacturer that violates sub. (2), (3), or (4) shall be subject
to a forfeiture not to exceed $10,000 per violation. Each act prohibited or required
by sub. (2), (3), or (4) shall constitute a separate violation. Each day that a
manufacturer knowingly violates sub. (2), (3), or (4) constitutes a separate violation.
(END)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7