Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1534835
IDA Universal April - May 2025 RIGHT TO REPAIR 16 Right to Repair, Results, Not Yet! By Willie Cade, Guest Columnist As of this writing, 30 states have introduced 71 distinct Right to Repair leg- islative proposals, covering a wide range of sectors—from agricultural equipment and nonroad vehicles to wheel- chairs, consumer electron- ics, appliances, and even motorcycles. We are wit- nessing an unprecedented surge in legislative activity around the Right to Repair move- ment. In fact, over the past decade, all 50 states have introduced at least one Right to Repair bill. Despite this overwhelm- ing interest, very few of these bills make it through the full legislative process and become law. One might reasonably ask: If this issue is so widely supported, why is it so difficult to pass? Polls consistently show that more than 80% of Americans support Right to Repair legislation—across all political affiliations. In pub- lic referenda, these propos- als routinely pass with over 70% support. When state legislators are actually allowed to cast a recorded vote, the numbers are even higher: over 90% vote in favor. So why does meaningful progress remain elusive? e answer lies in a combination of entrenched corporate opposition and the quiet power of money in politics. Manufacturers and their lobbying associations are willing to spend enormous sums of money—oen in the shadows—to stop these bills before they ever reach the floor for a vote. Legislative leaders, committee chairs, and party strategists oen prefer to let these bills "die in committee", avoiding the political discomfort of opposing such a popular measure on the record.e strategy is simple: never let it get to a vote. A few well- placed campaign contribu- tions or subtle messages from high-powered lobbyists are oen enough to prevent legislation from moving for- ward. is political calculus allows lawmakers to avoid public backlash while still serving the interests of corporate donors. And yet, it's worth noting that existing federal laws and regulations already require manufacturers to provide "any and all" diagnostic and repair tools and information to independent repair profes- sionals and equipment owners—so long as those same tools are provided to authorized dealers. e legal foundation for Right to Repair is already in place in many sectors. What's missing is enforcement and the politi- cal will to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, companies like Deere & Company are investing millions in legal defenses to resist this mo- mentum. From the FTC's lawsuit to the ongoing Multi-District Litigation (MDL), the legal strategy from manufacturers appears to be one of delay and attrition—dragging these cases out for years, perhaps even decades, while continuing to profit monopo- listic repair. And yet, I remain unde- terred. e Right to Repair move- ment is rooted in fundamen- tal values: ownership, fair- ness, sustainability, and economic freedom. It's about giving people the tools they need to maintain the things they own—whether it's a tractor, a smartphone, or a wheelchair. While the path forward may be slow and hard-fought, the tide is turning. And we will continue to push, persist, and prevail. We need your support, help, and participation. Please reach out if you want to join the efforts. Willie Cade