On a beautiful Tuesday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek made a big move, signing Senate Bill 1596 into law. This decision sets Oregon alongside a growing group of states, including California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, that have embraced a right to repair for their citizens. The law will take effect on January 1st, giving Oregonians a new sense of control over their devices.
“People were coming to me with potential changes, and I felt like I was playing the game of operator, like I was being the one that was having to bring forward the changes, and not Apple themselves,” said coauthor Janeen Sollman about the process of crafting the bill.
Inspiration for the bill came from California’s Senate Bill 244, which passed in 2023. However, Oregon lawmakers, including bill coauthors Janeen Sollman and Representative Courtney Neron, made sure to add their own unique touch. This resulted in some controversy, particularly for industry representatives. One company in particular, Apple, has taken issue with the bill’s stance on parts pairing.
- John Perry, Apple senior manager of Secure System Design, expressed some support for Senate Bill 1596, but voiced concerns about its impact on parts pairing.
- Google also showed their approval for the bill in January, calling it “a compelling model for other states to follow.”
The issue with parts pairing has been a hot topic in the tech community. Aiming to maintain security, Apple has been against the idea of allowing unauthorized parts to be used in the repair process. They specifically cited concerns over biometric components, such as fingerprint scanners.
“Apple agrees with the vast majority of Senate Bill 1596,” said Perry in a testimony to state lawmakers this past February. “I have met with Senator Sollman several times and appreciate her willingness to engage in an open dialogue.”
Sollman has also expressed her frustration with Apple’s lack of cooperation and attempted to work with them to address their concerns. “We entertained many of the changes that Apple brought forward that are in the California bill,” she stated in a recent interview with TechCrunch. “However, there were two remaining items that were concerning to them.” One of those items was successfully addressed, but parts pairing remains a sticking point for Apple.
The bill has received support from repair groups, who see it as a necessary step towards a more sustainable and responsible approach to electronics. “By eliminating manufacturer restrictions, the Right to Repair will make it easier for Oregonians to keep their personal electronics running,” said OSPIRG director Charlie Fisher in a statement following the bill’s passage. “That will conserve precious natural resources and prevent waste.”
While Apple declined to comment on the news, their open letter in support of California’s bill speaks volumes. With Oregon joining the ranks, the movement for a right to repair is gaining even more momentum.
