The New York State Assembly passes the first right-to-repair bill in the US covering electronics; Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the measure

The Verge 2022-06-06 Russell Brandom

Context & Ripple Effects

New York's Assembly action follows the state Senate's earlier passage of electronics right-to-repair legislation, bringing the proposal to the governor rather than leaving it stalled between chambers.

The later record shows Hochul signed the Digital Fair Repair Act with OEM exceptions, making this vote the pivotal legislative step while also foreshadowing that the final rules would be narrower than the initial momentum suggested.

First-order effects

Governor Kathy Hochul becomes the immediate decision-maker for an electronics repair measure that has now cleared both New York legislative chambers.
Electronics OEMs and repair businesses gain a concrete near-term state policy target, although the later amendments indicate that the final compliance scope includes exceptions.

Second-order effects

New York's advance puts pressure on manufacturers to account for state-level repair requirements rather than treating right-to-repair as an unresolved legislative proposal.
The eventual exceptions create a policy benchmark that other state proposals can tighten; Oregon later barred parts pairing restrictions, addressing a more specific manufacturer control over replacement components.

Third-order effects

A state-by-state repair regime is taking shape: New York established an electronics-law pathway, while Oregon's parts-pairing prohibition shows subsequent laws can target particular forms of OEM control more directly.

The trend: Right-to-repair policy is progressing through state legislation from broad electronics access rules toward more specific limits on manufacturers' control of replacement parts.

Discussion

@digiphile Alex Howard on x
As a native of New York & American who loves to tinker, I am THRILLED that the New York state legislature has passed the United States' first “right to repair” bill: https://www.theverge.com/... Glaring exemptions for medical devices, home appliances, & tractors detract from the …
@streetsri Srividhya V.S. on x
This is such a great step towards ensuring that devices arent junked! A befitting policy on the eve of World Environment Day https://twitter.com/...
@economictimes @economictimes on x
In a world's first, the New York state legislature has passed the “right to repair” bill that will require digital electronics manufacturers to make parts, tools, information, and software available to consumers and independent repair shops https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ .…
@abi_electronics @abi_electronics on x
We agree with @kwiens, this is yet another giant leap for repairkind. Are we finally going to see electronics repair at the forefront of technical and engineering degrees? Only education will produce the new breed of Repair Heroes the world needs. #Repairdontwaste #ukmfg https://…
@library_futures @library_futures on x
You bought it, you own it, and now—at least in NY State—you can fix it. Great news via our friends at @iFixit! https://www.ifixit.com/...
@chrisperfett Chris Perfett on x
Huge. Massive, massive, massive. Not exaggerating in the slightest https://twitter.com/...
@nysenate @nysenate on x
#NYSenate Bill S6486D, sponsored by @senatorparker, passed (36-27, unofficial). Relates to establishing a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining operations that use proof-of-work authentication methods to validate blockchain transactions: https://www.nysenate.gov/...
@patriciafahy109 Assemblymember Patricia Fahy on x
🚨🚨🚨 WE DID IT: New York has become the first state in the nation to pass a #RightToRepair law for electronic devices, smartphones, and more. The bill now heads to @GovKathyHochul's desk for her signature. https://twitter.com/...
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
Speaking of key moments to mobilize people, @htsuka and @EFF came in with a very timely grassroots action on short notice. 3/
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
Still overwhelmed from our big victory in New York on #RightToRepair — just want to give some shout outs. @RepairCoalition has been lead on the New York work, and started this whole thing. What great partners. @iFixit has supernaturally great folk to work with 1/
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
Louis, Jessa and the Repair Preservation Group team @fighttorepair @iPad_Rehab have been incredible. Louis made multiple videos to turn out supporters over just the last few days — he's has used his platform to make sure other people have a shot in the repair industry 4/
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
Great getting to know @russhaven1 and @NYPIRG and work with them on this campaign. Great local knowledge and some key assists over the years. Ditto for @chuckbell of @CRAdvocacy — who came up BIG by mobilizing members online at key moments 2/
@joeljohnson @joeljohnson on x
This is good. No one tell me why this isn't good. https://www.theverge.com/...
@weldpond @weldpond on x
NY becomes the 1st state to pass an electronics right-to-repair law, a historic win for consumers & independent repair shops across the US, not just in NY. It has the potential to shift the power balance between consumers & electronics manufacturers. https://www.vice.com/...
@zachreports Zach Williams on x
The “Right to Repair” bill has passed both chambers of the state Legislature Sponsored by @PatriciaFahy109 @NeilBreslin44 https://www.nysenate.gov/...
@patriciafahy109 Assemblymember Patricia Fahy on x
I have rarely been so proud to sponsor a bill #RightToRepair will lead the nation, transform an industry, create jobs, save tons of E-waste & more! Thanks for amazing bipartisan support! @RepairCoalition @fighttorepair @NYSA_Majority @DonnaLupardo https://twitter.com/...
@ifixit @ifixit on x
New York just passed the first-ever electronics Right to Repair bill! 🎉 Next year, manufacturers who sell “digital electronic products” in NY will have to make parts, tools, information, and software available to consumers and independent repair shops: https://www.ifixit.com/...
@jason_koebler Jason Koebler on x
BREAKING: New York has become the first state in the country to pass electronics right to repair law, which will help consumers everywhere, not just in New York: https://www.vice.com/...
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
Wow. New York has passed Right to Repair. We did it. #RightToRepair
@nomikikonst Nomiki on x
This is just the beginning of what should be a regulative priority in the New York State Senate. Crypto is hiding money all over the city in LLCs, real estate and PACs. We talk about oligarchs hiding money? Time to regulate a very unregulated space. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@karlbode Karl Bode on x
Right to repair legislation has passed in New York State! It's been a relatively grim era for consumer rights, but one highlight has been watching right to repair jump from niche nerdy fare to the mainstream https://t.co/bh2DTutNDa
@michelegillia17 Michele Gilliam on x
When we decide to fight, we can win. I love being in coalition w/ climate activists who delivered a much needed win here in New York. If the bill is signed into law, we will be the first sate in the country to successfully ban bitcoin mining. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@alansilbert Alan Silbert on x
Bad look New York. Better ban clothes dryers and space heaters next. That in the next bill? Because otherwise, the below makes no sense. New York Senate Passes Bitcoin Mining Moratorium https://www.coindesk.com/... via @coindesk
@silvermanjacob Jacob Silverman on x
New York State legislature passes a ban on proof-of-work crypto mining (which bitcoin uses). There had been a very active lobbying effort involving environmental groups, business owners, legal scholars, upstate NYers, others pushing for this. https://www.coindesk.com/...
@readdanwrite Daniel Roberts on x
wow. Bitcoin mining in the state of New York is now personally in Kathy Hochul's hands. https://decrypt.co/...
@bcd_76 Bob DiCostanzo on x
I hope people are aware of how insane this bill is. NY Democrats banned the expansion of an entire industry because of climate change. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@scottmelker @scottmelker on x
New York State continues to dominate in the categories of self-inflicted wounds and sucking at life. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@eren__sozuer @eren__sozuer on x
New York just passed a bill cracking down on bitcoin mining — “for two years, unless a proof-of-work mining company uses 100% renewable energy, it would not be allowed to expand or renew permits, and new entrants would not be allowed to come online.” https://www.cnbc.com/...
@cointelegraph @cointelegraph on x
The controversial PoW mining ban bill got the nod of the New York State Senate late on Wednesday, nearly a month after its approval by the State Assembly. https://cointelegraph.com/...
@ianbins @ianbins on x
New York Senate Passes Bitcoin Mining Moratorium The New York State Senate passed a bill targeting proof-of-work (PoW) mining early Friday morning in an effort to address some of the environmental concerns seen around cryptocurrencies. https://www.coindesk.com/...

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