No. CS/CS/HB 637
Filed under Agriculture.
Farm Equipment; Authorizes consumer to report farm equipment that is defective & does not conform to specified warranties to manufacturer or its authorized service agent; requires manufacturer or its authorized agent to make repairs to conform farm equipment to warranty at no cost to consumer; requires manufacturer or its authorized agent to replace or accept return of defective farm equipment; authorizes extension of repair period under certain conditions; provides presumption & affirmative defenses.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDA consumer who buys or leases farm equipment that fails to meet its written warranty can report the defect in writing to the manufacturer, who must then repair it at no cost within the warranty period or one year after delivery, whichever is longer.
If the same problem survives three or more repair attempts within 18 months, the law presumes the manufacturer had a fair chance and failed. At that point the manufacturer must replace the equipment or refund its purchase price, minus a deduction for wear.
Manufacturers can defend a claim by showing the problem does not seriously hurt the equipment's use or value, or that it came from abuse or an unauthorized modification. A consumer harmed by a violation may sue over it directly.
None of this applies to equipment already sold before July 1, 2026, even if that equipment is still under an active manufacturer's warranty when the law takes effect.
AIA buyer or lessee of farm equipment that fails to meet its written warranty may report the defect in writing to the manufacturer or its service agent, who must then repair it at no cost to the consumer.
AIIf the manufacturer cannot bring the equipment into compliance with its warranty after a reasonable number of attempts, it must replace the equipment or refund the purchase price, including taxes and fees, minus an offset for prior use.
AIIf the same nonconformity has been repaired three or more times without success, the law presumes the manufacturer had a reasonable opportunity to fix it, as long as all attempts happened within 18 months of the consumer's report.
AIA manufacturer is not liable if the nonconformity does not substantially hurt the equipment's use or value, or if it resulted from abuse, neglect, or an unauthorized modification the consumer made.
AIA consumer who suffers a loss because a manufacturer or its agent violated this new warranty scheme may bring a civil action in court to enforce it.
AIThe three-repair presumption only applies if the manufacturer or its agent first received direct written notice from the consumer and was given an opportunity to fix the alleged defect.
AINone of these reporting, repair, replacement, refund, or lawsuit rights apply to farm equipment sold before July 1, 2026, even if that equipment remains under an active warranty.