The Oregon House of Representatives recently made a significant move in the realm of technology and consumer rights by passing the Right to Repair Act, also known as SB 1596, on March 4. The legislation is now awaiting final approval from Governor Tina Kotek, which would make Oregon the latest state to adopt Right to Repair laws.

One major highlight of Oregon’s bill is its unique provision that would ban “parts pairing,” a practice that restricts individuals from replacing parts in their electronic devices. If the bill is signed into law, manufacturers would be required to allow independent repair providers or device owners to install replacement parts without any restrictions. Additionally, manufacturers must make compatible parts available at an affordable price without imposing substantial conditions.

The parts pairing ban would come into effect for devices built or sold in Oregon starting in 2025, with the law also extending coverage for electronics back to 2015 (except for cell phones). This move has garnered praise from the Public Interest Research Group’s Right to Repair Campaign senior director, who described Oregon’s legislation as “the best bill yet” compared to similar laws in other states.

This news comes as a win for consumers and advocates who have long pushed for legislation that promotes repairability and reduces electronic waste. If Governor Kotek signs the Right to Repair Act into law, Oregon will join a growing number of states that are taking steps to ensure consumers have the right to repair their own devices. Stay tuned for updates as this bill progresses through the final stages of approval.