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SD Farmers Union wants a state right to repair law

The president of the South Dakota Farmers Union says he would like to see his state pass a right to repair law.

Doug Sombke says it was difficult to make progress in South Dakota during the 2023 state legislative legislative session, because there were other priorities.

“We didn’t have all of our asks set, but what Colorado has done now is a good precedent.”      

On Tuesday, Colorado became the first state to put into place a right to repair law requiring manufacturers provide farmers and ranchers the resources they need to repair ag equipment.

Sombke says it’s expensive to fix farm equipment.

“When our new tractor breaks down, it costs me a minimum of $700 per trip for the local dealer or help to come out. That’s not counting the repairs and labor. There are other things I can do with the tractor, but can’t, because I don’t have the software.”

Right to repair legislation is still being considered in other state legislatures, including Missouri, but state lawmakers have not voted on the bill.