In Thursday’s hearing of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton) presented her bipartisan legislation adding motorcycles to the list of products outlined in the Minnesota Digital Fair Repair Act that would allow Minnesotans the right to decide who repairs their motorcycles without being forced to use specific motorcycle manufacturers.
“As a lifelong motorcycle rider myself, I know just how important personal responsibility and freedom is to bike riders. But right now, Minnesota’s motorcyclists don’t have the freedom to choose how they repair their motorcycles, and that’s wrong,” said Sen. Seeberger. “This bill gives Minnesotans the right to choose how to fix their bikes, either by themselves, using an independent technician, or by going through the manufacturer of the bike. Minnesotans shouldn’t be locked into an unfair deal, and I hope we can get this done.”
Passed in the 2023 Legislative Session, the Digital Fair Repair Act requires manufacturers of certain electronic products to make documentation, parts, and tools for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair available to independent repair providers and to product owners on fair and reasonable terms.
Under Sen. Seeberger’s proposal, motorcycles would be added to the list of products under the Act, allowing fair access to the necessary tools, software, and diagnostic data required to maintain and repair motorcycles.
The bill is supported by American Bikers for Awareness Training and Education of Minnesota (A.B.A.T.E), the St. Croix Valley Riders, and the Digital Right to Repair Coalition.
At the conclusion of Sen. Seeberger’s presentation and testimony on the bill, it was laid over by the Committee.