A significant number of U.S. state legislatures are again considering “right to repair” legislation this winter, which would require equipment manufacturers to broaden access to repair and diagnostic information & software. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, along with allied OEM and dealer interests, are in uniform opposition to these measures as they compromise OEM protections of intellectual property and copyrighted information, as well as expose consumers to adverse impacts resulting from improper repairs such as irreparable damage to the product, reduced performance, and unsafe operation. 

OPEI’s opposition also places a significant focus on the potential for tampering with emissions controls, which is prohibited under federal law. Despite this opposition, OPEI and its partners are committed to assuring that customers and users of OPE are provided all the information necessary for the proper and safe operation of their equipment. Currently, bills have been proposed in Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and West Virginia, with other states expected to follow.