H 81 Vermont House · 2023-2024 Regular Session

An act relating to fair repair of agricultural equipment

This bill, known as the Fair Repair Act, aims to improve access to repair services for agricultural and forestry equipment by ensuring independent repair providers and equipment owners can obtain necessary parts, tools, and documentation. The legislation addresses challenges such as limited availability of authorized repair shops in rural areas, workforce shortages, and restrictions on software-related repairs that may prevent independent technicians from fixing equipment safely and effectively. By establishing clear definitions for key terms and promoting equitable access to repair resources, the bill seeks to extend equipment lifespans, reduce costs for farmers and foresters, and support Vermont's agricultural and forestry sectors. The measure does not mandate specific repair practices but creates a framework to facilitate fair access to the information and components needed for maintenance and repairs.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2024
House Passage
May 2023
Senate Passage
May 2024
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2023 Last action Jun 17, 2024
Floor votes · House May 5, 2023

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
43
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
16
Jun 17, 2024
Introduced
House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment
upper
Jun 17, 2024
Introduced
Rep. Templeman of Brownington, Priestley of Bradford, Carroll of Bennington, Chase of Chester, Cole of Hartford, Duke of Burlington, Durfee of Shaftsbury, Graning of Jericho, Jerome of Brandon, Leavitt of Grand Isle, Marcotte of Coventry, Nicoll of Ludlow, O'Brien of Tunbridge, Pearl of Danville, Rice of Dorset, Sammis of Castleton, Surprenant of Barnard, White of Bethel, and Williams of Barre City moved to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment with a further amendment thereto
lower
Jun 17, 2024
Introduced
Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
lower
May 10, 2024
Introduced
Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
lower
May 9, 2024
Introduced
Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
lower
May 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
upper
May 9, 2024
Introduced
Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
upper
May 7, 2024
Introduced
Proposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture agreed to
upper
May 7, 2024
Introduced
Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Wrenner for Committee on Agriculture
upper
May 7, 2024
Introduced
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture
upper
May 6, 2024
Introduced
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture
upper
May 3, 2024
Introduced
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture
upper
May 2, 2024
Introduced
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture
upper
Feb 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs relieved; bill committed to Committee on Agriculture on motion of Senator Ram Hinsdale
upper
Jan 3, 2024
Committee
Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs per Temporary Senate Rule 44A
upper
May 8, 2023
Introduced
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Rules
upper
May 5, 2023
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 5, 2023
Lower · Passed
Roll Call Results Passed -- Needed 70 of 139 to Pass -- Yeas = 137, Nays = 2
lower
May 4, 2023
Lower · Passed
Report of Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry, as amended, agreed to
lower
May 4, 2023
Lower · Passed
Report of Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry amended as recommended by Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
lower
May 4, 2023
Lower · Passed
Rep. Priestley of Bradford reported for the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
lower
May 4, 2023
Lower · Passed
Rep. Templeman of Brownington reported for the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
lower
May 4, 2023
Introduced
Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
May 3, 2023
Introduced
Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Apr 6, 2023
Lower · Passed
Rep. Durfee of Shaftsbury moved to commit bill to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, which was agreed to
lower
Apr 6, 2023
Introduced
Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Apr 5, 2023
Introduced
Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Jan 20, 2023
Introduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
lower
2 primary · 29 co-sponsors

Sponsors