Iowa Farmers Push ‘Right to Repair’ Bill Forward – Tackling John Deere & More
Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill last week designed to offer farmers greater control over the repair of their agricultural equipment, a move that could reshape the landscape of farm technology and ignite similar debates nationwide. The legislation, initially known as House File 751, was renamed House File 2709 on Tuesday and is now poised for further consideration by the Iowa House and Senate, with a legislative adjournment date of April 21.
The bill centers on ensuring farmers have access to the documentation, parts, software and tools needed to repair increasingly complex machinery like tractors, combines, and sprayers. It specifically excludes aircraft, irrigation equipment, jet skis, and snowmobiles from its scope. Manufacturers would be required to make these resources available under “fair and reasonable” terms and costs, and to provide data – including manuals and embedded operating software – without charge or requiring authorization for internet access. The legislation also seeks to limit the utilize of digital locks that restrict access to equipment features.
This legislation is the first of nearly 60 similar bills being considered across the country in 2026, with states like Oklahoma, Wyoming, Delaware, and West Virginia also exploring “right to repair” measures for agricultural equipment. Advocates believe a successful outcome in Iowa, the second-highest-grossing state for agricultural products in the US after California, could galvanize similar efforts focused on making a wider range of products – from smartphones to automobiles – more easily repairable.
“This isn’t just a blue state thing. this isn’t just a Colorado activist thing,” said Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability for iFixit, a right-to-repair advocacy organization. “Its real. Farmers have trouble repairing their equipment and desire change.”
The core of the debate revolves around the increasing sophistication of farm equipment and the restrictions manufacturers place on independent repairs. Farmers often face significant delays and costs when relying solely on authorized dealerships for repairs, particularly during critical planting or harvesting seasons. The bill aims to alleviate these issues by empowering farmers and independent repair providers to address maintenance needs more efficiently.
John Deere, a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, is the most prominent opponent of the Iowa bill. The company is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over what the FTC has deemed “unlawful” repairability policies, a lawsuit initiated in January 2025. John Deere has actively lobbied against the Iowa legislation.
In a statement, a John Deere representative asserted the company “is steadfast in supporting farmers’ ability to repair their equipment,” and highlighted its existing online repair hub offering self-repair tools and resources. But, Chamberlain countered that while John Deere offers some self-repair options, they don’t always address the urgent needs of farmers facing equipment breakdowns during crucial times. “it doesn’t matter if the vast majority of repairs are possible if there’s a repair that takes your equipment down and that means loss of harvest or having to wait weeks for a dealer representative to come out,” she said.
John Deere previously entered into a memorandum of understanding with the American Farm Bureau in 2023, outlining steps to improve access to repairs. However, repair advocates criticized the agreement as insufficient, arguing it did not guarantee adherence to emerging repair regulations.
As of February 24, 2026, House File 2709 had been introduced and placed on the calendar in the Iowa House. The bill’s future remains uncertain, dependent on its passage through both the House and Senate before the legislative session concludes.