Congress·In Committee·S. 3821

Senate Committee Reviews Fair Repair Act, Which Would Force Tech Giants to Share Repair Tools and Parts

Fair Repair Act

about 1 month ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: U.S. Lawmakers Push to End Software Locks with Fair Repair Act

Legislative Progress

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Law

Key Points

This bill, called the Fair Repair Act, would require companies that make electronics like smartphones and laptops to provide the same repair manuals, parts, and tools to the public that they give to their own authorized repair shops. This means you could fix your own devices or take them to a local shop instead of being forced to go to the manufacturer.
It bans a practice called 'parts pairing,' where companies use software to block a device from working if a part is replaced by an independent shop. Companies would not be allowed to show fake warning messages or slow down your device's performance just because you used a part they did not personally sell to you.
While this covers most home electronics, it does not apply to cars, medical devices, or heavy machinery like tractors and airplanes. The goal is to focus on everyday tech like computers, tablets, and home appliances, ensuring that owners have the right to maintain the products they bought.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general would have the power to punish companies that do not follow these rules. If a company refuses to sell parts at a fair price or hides repair manuals, they could face heavy fines and legal action to force them to comply.
This policy aims to save consumers money by creating more competition for repairs. Instead of being stuck with one expensive option, you could shop around for the best price. It also helps the environment by making it easier to fix old gadgets and keep them in use longer instead of throwing them in the trash.

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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 10, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

The Verge·almost 2 years ago

Oregon’s Governor Signs Right-to-Repair Law That Bans ‘Parts Pairing’

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a landmark right-to-repair bill that is the first in the nation to explicitly ban 'parts pairing.' The law requires electronics manufacturers to provide the same parts, tools, and manuals to the public as they do for authorized shops, starting in 2025.

CL+

Times Union·about 1 year ago

Lawmakers push for 'repair scores' on cellphones, tech devices

Building on the Fair Repair Act signed in 2022, New York lawmakers are now proposing 'repair scores' to help consumers identify how easy a device is to fix before buying. The original act codified the right to access replacement materials and manuals for digital electronics.

Governing Magazine·about 3 years ago

New York Ends 2022 With Nation's First Fair Repair Act

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Digital Fair Repair Act, making New York the first state to guarantee the right to repair electronics. The law requires manufacturers to provide diagnostic and repair information to independent shops and consumers for devices sold in the state.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Fair Repair Act

Bill NumberS 3821

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsor

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.