HF2519

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to extend the current Digital Fair Repair Act in Minnesota to include motorcycles. It seeks to ensure that motorcycle owners, as well as independent repair providers, have access to fair and reasonable terms for parts, tools, and documentation necessary for the maintenance and repair of motorcycles.

Main Provisions

• Inclusion of Motorcycles: The bill adds motorcycles to the list of items covered under the Digital Fair Repair Act. This means that manufacturers must provide repair and maintenance resources for motorcycles in the same way they do for digital electronic equipment.
• Access to Repair Resources: Manufacturers are required to offer documentation, parts, and tools for motorcycles to owners and independent repair providers. This must be done on fair and reasonable terms.
• Availability Timeline: These repair materials must be made available within 60 days after the product is initially sold in Minnesota.
• Protection of Trade Secrets: The bill specifies that manufacturers do not have to divulge trade secrets or license intellectual property, except as required to provide necessary repair resources.
• Exemptions: Manufacturers are not required to provide resources that enable modifications, disable security measures without owner authorization, or if equivalent replacement equipment is available at no charge.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extension of Coverage: Previously, the law focused on digital electronic equipment. With this bill, motorcycles are explicitly included under the same provisions, widening the scope of the Digital Fair Repair Act.
• Greater Access for Motorcycle Owners: Motorcycle owners and independent repair providers gain legally backed access to necessary repair tools and documentation, increasing repair options beyond manufacturer-approved services.

Relevant Terms

• Digital Fair Repair Act
• Motorcycles
• Independent Repair Providers
• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
• Documentation, Parts, and Tools
• Trade Secrets
• Modifications and Security Measures
• Fair and Reasonable Terms