Right to Repair in Maine Faces Bill That Would Limit Vehicles Covered

As lawmakers in Maine deliberate over the implementation of the right to repair, advocates are fighting against recent bills they say would jeopardize the original ballot initiative’s power, reports Maine Public.

Passed in 2023 with 84% of the vote, the ballot initiative enables independent repair shops and vehicle owners to access wireless diagnostic repair information within a vehicle. Since then, the state has been through a lot figuring out how to implement the law, with a working group being formed for suggestions on how the state should enforce it.

As auto repairers in the state wait to see it be implemented, there are now bills being presented that would hamper the original ballot initiative’s power. One bill currently under consideration would make it so that it applies to only certain vehicles, not all.

The Housing and Economic Development Committee has approved the bill 11-2, and it will proceed to undergo a language review and further votes by the full legislature—but right to repair advocates in Maine are calling attention to the event.

Supporters from across Maine gathered in Augusta on May 21 to protest the bill and urge lawmakers to reject it.

“The people have spoken—they want direct access to their information,” said Tommy Hickey, director of the Maine Right to Repair Coalition. “We have shown them technologies that can implement this law in a safe and secure way. And we hope that they respect the will of the voters.”