4 state right-to-repair efforts to watch now that Apple supports California bill

Right-to-repair proponents see Apple’s newfound support for legislation in California as an encouraging sign that more states will soon be able to pass similar laws with less industry opposition.

After years of pushing back against right-to-repair initiatives, Apple recently announced its support for an amended version of California’s SB 244, saying it strikes the right balance between allowing consumers more repair options while still protecting data security and the intellectual property of original equipment manufacturers. 

Right-to-repair advocates like Californians Against Waste, CALPIRG and iFixit called Apple’s announcement “an unexpected about-face.” Intense industry lobbying has played a major role in killing previous right-to-repair bills in California and other states, the groups said, and many viewed Apple as the lead in such opposition. However, in recent years, other companies like Microsoft have started shifting their position. “With the Right to Repair movement gaining recognition and support — and leading to laws in other states — Apple has reversed course,” the groups said in a joint statement.

Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of Repair.org, added in an email that while Apple’s “modest” announcement is significant, the success of other recent right-to-repair bills in New York last year, and Minnesota and Colorado this year, is due mainly to years of advocacy from consumers and advocates. 

In 2023, 30 states have introduced right-to-repair legislation, with bills centering on farm equipment, consumer devices and other products. Many state legislatures have wrapped up their 2023 session, but several states are still working on right-to-repair bills. Here’s a look at some that are still in the works: 

California

California’s SB 244 would require manufacturers to make tools and parts available to repair facilities and owners of certain consumer products. The bill would cover devices like televisions, radios and home appliances. It also allows cities, counties or the state to bring a civil action against OEMs that knowingly violate the law. 

The bill passed the state Senate…