Florida’s Right to Repair Bill: What It Means and Why It’s Important for Consumers

You've been there. Your phone screen breaks, and you spend countless hours looking for a company that can fix it right away to get you back to normal function—only to learn it's quite expensive. So, you try other resources. Yes, you find someone who can repair it for a lesser amount, but then you learn it will void your phone or equipment warranty. You are faced with a decision: pay the expensive repair and keep the warranty, go with the less expensive unauthorized repair and have a voided warranty, or just replace it entirely. These three choices are not choices at all, and it's time for this to change here in Florida.

Florida’s Right to Repair Bill: What It Means and Why It’s Important for Consumers

Right to Repair is now law in five states, and it’s time for Florida to follow suit. Floridians deserve the same ability to fix their devices and essential equipment as consumers in other states. Florida legislators have the opportunity to pass critical Right to Repair legislation, ensuring that consumers and independent repair shops have access to the tools, parts, and information necessary to fix their products.

What Is the Right to Repair?

The Right to Repair movement advocates for laws that require manufacturers to provide access to repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and replacement parts. Without these rights, consumers are often forced to rely solely on the manufacturer’s repair services, leading to high costs and long wait times.

Currently, four bills have been introduced in Florida’s legislative session to address this issue:

• HB 235 and SB 1132: These bills aim to protect the Right to Repair mobile devices, ensuring that Floridians can repair their smartphones and tablets without manufacturer-imposed restrictions.

• SB 0412 and HB 311: These bills focus on powered wheelchairs, which are essential mobility devices for many individuals. Wheelchair users frequently report waiting weeks or even months for repairs due to limited manufacturer-authorized options—an unacceptable situation that limits mobility and independence.

Why This Bill Is Crucial for Consumers

1. Prevents Manufacturers from Voiding Warranties Unfairly Many manufacturers claim that third-party repairs void warranties, even when the repairs are performed correctly using original or compatible parts. This forces consumers to pay exorbitant fees for simple fixes or replace products entirely.

2. Lowers Repair Costs Without competition, manufacturer repair services can charge whatever they want. Right to Repair laws empower independent repair shops and consumers, leading to lower prices and more affordable repair options.

3. Reduces Electronic Waste When repairs are inaccessible or too costly, consumers are left with little choice but to discard broken devices. Right to Repair laws promote sustainability by extending the lifespan of products and reducing environmental waste.

4. Protects Consumer Choice and Ownership Rights When you buy a product, you should have the right to fix it however you choose. Restrictive manufacturer policies undermine this fundamental principle, effectively leasing products to consumers rather than granting full ownership.

The Fight for Repair Rights in Florida

As technology becomes more integral to daily life, the Right to Repair is more important than ever. Other states have recognized this and passed laws to protect consumers—Florida should do the same. By supporting HB 235, S 1132, S 0412, and HB 311, lawmakers can help ensure that Floridians have the same rights to repair their products as people in other states.

Floridians should not have to endure excessive costs, long wait times, or restrictions on fixing their own property. It’s time for the Florida legislature to act and give consumers the freedom they deserve.

Effective Date: 7/1/2025
Last Action: 3/4/2025 House - 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)