First Republican state to introduce right to repair

More and more US states are granting consumers the right to repair digital devices themselves or to commission independent repair shops to do so. Corresponding legislative proposals for a right to repair have already been introduced in the parliaments of all 50 US states. Six states have implemented it: Colorado, California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Next year, the seventh state will be added: Texas. This makes it the first Republican-dominated jurisdiction to guarantee its consumers the right to repair.

“Texas jumping into the fray marks a turning point and opens the door for other (Republican) states to follow,” says Elizabeth Chamberlain, who is responsible for sustainability at repair leader Ifixit. “For too long, manufacturers have made it difficult (and sometimes impossible) for consumers to repair their devices. Now, with support from both political camps, states are fighting back. And Texas has just generated a lot of momentum.”

The vote on HB 2963 wasn't even close; it passed unanimously in both chambers of the Texas Legislature. On the weekend, Governor Greg Abbott also gave his approval. The law will therefore take effect from September 1, 2026.

The vested rights

The law applies to electronic devices and their components that are sold to consumers in Texas from September 1, 2026, and cost at least USD 50 net at wholesale. Manufacturers are obliged to provide consumers and independent repair shops, directly or indirectly, with documentation, spare parts and tools (hardware and software) on fair and reasonable terms, insofar as they are required for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair. The claim expires if the documentation, spare parts or tools are no longer available even to authorized workshops and are no longer used by the manufacturer itself.

Support is not required for modifications, illegal measures or the overcoming of security or theft prevention measures taken by the owner of the device. The disclosure of information that goes beyond what the manufacturer discloses to authorized workshops is also not required. The manufacturer may also keep trade secrets to himself, unless they are necessary for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair.

Physical tools may not cost more than production and shipping; additional charges for the actual use of tools (hardware and/or software) are only permitted if the same charges are imposed on authorized workshops. Spare parts may also not cost more than the prices applicable to authorized workshops. For instructions on physical data carriers such as paper or DVD, the unit and shipping costs may be charged.

Many exceptions

However, the Texas law has a long list of exceptions. Unsurprisingly, for example, equipment for critical infrastructure, outboard motors, medical equipment, aircraft or certain types of heavy equipment are excluded. Exemptions for fire alarms, alarm systems, industrial electrical equipment and emergency communication devices for blue light organizations are perhaps also understandable.

However, manufacturers' lobbyists can claim success for the exemption of video game consoles and larger household appliances such as iceboxes, ovens, microwaves, air conditioners and heaters. The same goes for a long list of electrical equipment such as uninterruptible power supplies, telecommunications network infrastructure, commercial power equipment, advertising displays, transformers, and motor controllers for low and medium voltages, power distributors, transfer switches, and all the tools, accessories, parts, and spares intended for such things. Whether washing machines are covered remains unclear.

Motor vehicles and agricultural equipment are also exempt if the manufacturer participates in an agreement recognized in the respective industry regarding diagnosis, maintenance, and repair. The Texas law does not impose any special requirements on these industry solutions. Other US states are ahead of Texas in this respect: In Massachusetts and Maine, the people have given themselves the right to car repairs via referendums.

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