Shink bill to reduce downtime during critical growing and harvesting periods, support local jobs, and level the playing field for rural communities
LANSING, Mich. (May 8, 2025) — This week, Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) introduced Senate Bill 302, Right to Repair legislation that will give Michigan farmers the freedom to repair their own agricultural equipment without being forced to rely on manufacturers or licensed dealers.
“Our farmers know how to fix their equipment — they just need the freedom to do it,” said Sen. Shink. “When a $500,000 tractor is sidelined because of a minor issue and the only technician is hundreds of miles away, that’s not just frustrating — it’s bad for business, bad for farmers, bad for rural economies, and bad for food security. This bill puts the power back in the hands of the people who feed us.”
Sen. Shink introduced this legislation following a community listening session held earlier in the week with farmers from across her district. Among the topics discussed was lowering entry barriers for farmers and the need for support to increase the reliability and efficiency of farming in Michigan. Senate Bill 302 would work to address these concerns by requiring manufacturers to provide farmers and independent repair shops with access to the tools, documentation, and software needed to diagnose and fix issues.
“I’m very happy to support this legislation alongside Sen. Sue Shink,” said Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Twp.). “It’s imperative that owners have the right and ability to maintain and repair their equipment as they choose. Especially for those in rural areas, the freedom to fix and repair tractors and other farm equipment is invaluable, as a delay of just one day can make or break a season.”
Under current restrictions, many modern farm equipment purchases include clauses that prohibit repairs by anyone other than the manufacturer or authorized dealers. This monopolized system often leaves farmers with no choice but to pay high fees and endure long delays, especially as equipment dealers have consolidated and become fewer and farther between.
“Without access to the software, tools, and information needed to fix our own equipment, we are forced to rely on dealership technicians for sometimes even simple repairs,” said Bob Thompson, president of the Michigan Farmers Union. “This can lead to lengthy service delays and exorbitant repair costs. And, with family farmers already operating on razor-thin margins, every penny saved is important.”
Across the country, legislators in at least 40 states have introduced Right to Repair bills.
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