Pandemic spurs right-to-repair bills, which could help rural residents, especially farmers with expensive equipment fixes

Americans have relied increasingly on computers and phones for remote work and socializing during the pandemic, but corporate policies have often made it difficult for people to easily access parts, manuals and equipment to repair them, especially in rural areas.

"The resulting frustration has given new impetus to at least 39 so-called right-to-repair bills in 25 states," Elaine S. Povich reports for Stateline. "The legislation would loosen restrictions on manufacturers’ information and parts and allow small repair shops and handy device owners to do their own fixing."

Though the Stateline article focuses mainly on phones and computers, some of the bills are broad enough to cover repairs on tractors and other farming equipment, which has frustrated farmers for years. 

Brand-name product manufacturers and distributors oppose the notion, arguing that unauthorized repairs are unsafe and make machines more vulnerable to hacking, Povich reports. However, right-to-repair laws are popular elsewhere. American Farm Bureau Federation delegates included such laws as part of their 2020 policy goals, and the Democratic party platform also supports such laws.