OR SB 1596 has passed the Oregon House and Senate and awaits Governor Kotek’s signature or veto. This bill requires a manufacturer to provide consumers and independent repair shops with documentation, tools and parts for diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment on fair and reasonable terms. Consumer electronic equipment is defined to include a product that, “functions, in whole or in part, on the basis of digital electronics that are embedded within or attached to the product.” Based on this definition, some mattresses and foundations that contain electronics would appear to be covered by this bill. Notably, this bill contains a first in the country provision to restrict so-called “parts pairing,” which occurs when a company includes software in devices that prevents the installation of parts not produced by that company. 

If signed, Oregon will join Minnesota, New York and California as the fourth state to enact a right to repair law for consumer electronic equipment. Arizona, Illinois, Hawaii, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Alaska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington are all considering right to repair bills for digital electronic equipment this legislation session. ISPA will continue to monitor these bills and provide updates.