2024 Legislation
RIGHT TO REPAIR – SB 1596A-15
We support SB 1596 (The Right to Repair) because it will reduce Oregon’s electronic waste footprint by requiring technology companies to make parts that allow small businesses to repair electronics (like smartphones). By being able to fix phones, computers, and appliances instead of buying new ones, it is estimated the Right to Repair program would save the average Oregon household $382 per year. From a toxics reduction perspective, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and the Right to Repair bill will help Oregonians prevent an estimated 4,800 cell phones from going into a landfill every day.
SB1596
Relating to a right to repair consumer electronic equipment; prescribing an effective date.
Requires an original equipment manufacturer to make available to an owner of consumer electronic equipment or an independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any documentation, tool, part or other device or implement that the original equipment manufacturer makes available to an authorized service provider for the purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment.
Permits the Attorney General in response to a consumer complaint to make an investigative demand of a manufacturer that appears to have violated the Act.
Specifies the contents of the investigative demand and the method of service. Subjects a manufacturer that violates the Act to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each day of the violation.
Chief Sponsor(s): Senators Sollman, Dembrow, and Golden; Representatives Neron, Bynum, and Nosse
Regular Sponsor(s): Senator Campos, Frederick, Gelser Blouin, Gorsek, Jama, Lieber, Manning Jr, Meek, Patterson, Prozanski, Steiner, Taylor, Thatcher, Wagner, Representative Andersen, Bowman, Chaichi, Dexter, Fahey, Gamba, Gomberg, Grayber, Hartman, Helm, Holvey, Hudson, Javadi, Kropf, Levy E, Lively, Mannix, Marsh, McLain, Nathanson, Nelson, Nguyen D, Nguyen H, Pham H, Pham K, Reynolds, Ruiz, Sanchez, Smith G, Sosa, Tran, Valderrama, Walters, Wright, (Presession filed.)
Advocates: