Why It Matters
Farmers in Vermont and across the country could gain the ability to repair their own equipment under proposed federal legislation, potentially saving time and money during critical harvest seasons. The measure comes as agricultural equipment manufacturers face legal scrutiny over repair monopolies.
What Happened
U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., spoke Thursday at Vermont State University’s Randolph Center campus about the Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance Act, which he introduced in October. The legislation would require manufacturers to provide software, parts, and documentation to farmers and independent repair technicians.
Welch addressed attendees at ReuseVT’s inaugural ReuseApalooza conference, an event featuring repair workshops and equipment reuse activities. The senator said the bill would allow farmers to fix broken equipment themselves rather than waiting for manufacturer-authorized dealers.
Under current practices, farmers who purchase tractors costing several hundred thousand dollars cannot perform their own repairs when equipment fails. They must contact authorized dealers and wait for technicians to arrive on site, which can delay work during harvest season and increase costs.
By the Numbers
John Deere recently agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the company monopolized repair services. The Federal Trade Commission filed a separate lawsuit in 2025 accusing Deere of forcing farmers to use its dealers and inflating costs for parts and services.
Independent repair technicians charge between $600 and $800 per hour when manufacturers control the repair market, according to state lawmakers. More than 80 percent of biomedical professionals nationally report that repair restrictions cause equipment downtime frequently or most of the time.
State-Level Efforts
Vermont lawmakers are pursuing parallel legislation at the state level. The Vermont Fair Repair Act, designated H.161, was introduced last year. State Rep. Monique Priestley, D-Bradford, co-sponsored the measure after a similar bill passed the House with nearly unanimous support in 2024 but died in the Senate.
Priestley is also sponsoring H.160, which would create repair rights for medical devices. The bill would require manufacturers to provide documentation at no charge and parts at fair prices to hospitals, allowing their biomedical staff to perform maintenance without waiting for manufacturer technicians.
The medical equipment measure includes protections for trade secrets. Devon Green of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems testified in support of the legislation, saying it provides a cost-effective path to fix hospital equipment and could help remove unnecessary costs from the health care system.
Zoom Out
Right-to-repair legislation has gained momentum nationwide as consumers and businesses push back against manufacturer restrictions. The movement spans multiple industries, from agriculture to consumer electronics to medical equipment. Rural providers face particular challenges when repair restrictions cause equipment downtime.
Federal action could preempt the patchwork of state laws and establish nationwide standards for equipment repair access. The agricultural sector has been a focal point due to the high cost of farm equipment and the time-sensitive nature of planting and harvest seasons.
What’s Next
The federal FARM Act remains under consideration in Congress. At the state level, Vermont lawmakers continue advancing H.161 for agricultural equipment and H.160 for medical devices. The outcomes of ongoing litigation against John Deere may influence the legislative debate over repair access and manufacturer obligations.