Right To Repair Signed In to Law Washington State - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 04:55:25 am
content: On May 20, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law two right-to-repair bills: House Bill 1483 and Senate Bill 5680. HB 1483 focuses on consumer electronics, while SB 5680 concerns mobility devices like powered wheelchairs. These laws grant consumers and independent repair providers access to parts, tools, and information needed to repair electronic and mobility devicesI was invited to be in attendance at the state capital at the governors office, Was a good a experience.#righttorepair

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 01:28:57 pm
content: Good work Steven

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 02:10:27 pm
content: Wonder how long before we see "Not for sale in washington state." on certain goods, cynical? me?

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 04:38:03 pm
content: Will this law ever be enforced? Is there any fine or other punishment for breaking it?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 06:45:37 pm
content: or move services center ?

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 09:15:56 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on May 22, 2025, 02:10:27 pmIt has passed in i believe 8 states so far, the Most Notable are Minnesota*, California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado.*the most broad law very few exemptions.The US Army just adopted right to repair also.https://www.stevenrhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ARMY-TRANSFORMATION-AND-ACQUISITION-REFORM-Right-to-Repair.pdf

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 10:00:23 pm
content: Quote from: shapirus on May 22, 2025, 04:38:03 pmYes, the AG Enforces it but takes time and the penalties will vary from $1,000 a day to $2,000 a day for non compliance.I already have California AG working on Hakko the soldering iron co for being anti repair. Oregon Has been Filed on Hakko and a Few Others and Hope the AG Reviews them Soon.The Penalties range form $1,000 to $5,000 a day from the date of the request if the company does not comply.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 10:02:50 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on May 22, 2025, 01:28:57 pmI was just one of many that helped win this little battle the war still rages on.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 11:14:30 pm
content: Quote from: KG7AMV on May 22, 2025, 10:00:23 pmIs that correct in WA? My reading of the bill as passed implies that it does not provide for any new penalties but defers to the existing ones for unfair business practices, which I think are up to $7,500 per occurrence and up to $125,000 for failing to adhere to an injunction. That's better than nothing, but still pocket change to many of these companies. I suppose a judge likely still has discretion on civil contempt if they continue to ignore a ruling, but I don't see anything that guarantees that in the law.There's also alonglist of exclusions and exemptions. The ones that seemed to be most likely to impact "normal people" including vehicles, lawn/outdoor/farm equipment, solar power systems, ev chargers, video game consoles, and home networking.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2025, 03:00:58 am
content: Abeyer, it's a startI tried to get others to help (Mostly Console repair shops, and people in it) even if they were out of state it they could have still helped, but not one of them wanted spare an hour and speak for 2min not write and e-mail. But, We successfully got the aviation devices and some other exemption killed on the legislative floor. Now when a manufacture like Garmin claims an exemption the AG can point to the legislative process and say if they wanted it to be exempt they would have included it.All it will take is 1 state to include the exempted items it will be a burden for mfg's to comply with 1 state and not another. In the 70/80's no one wanted a California car.. by the mid 90's that's all ya got in every state.

author: DrijSkij
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 11:50:46 am
content: I wonder if these folks will even remember what they signed, or what the legislation is all about given that there are so many dopers in Washington state? Both political and constituent types.