Hearing: Right to Repair and What it Means for Entrepreneurs

Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development (Committee on Small Business)

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 (10:00 AM)

2360 RHOB
Washington, D.C.
The Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development will hold a hybrid hearing titled: “Right to Repair and What it Means for Entrepreneurs.” The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Participating members can also join remotely via Zoom. Many of today’s consumer electronics and automobiles have become increasingly more difficult to fix or maintain. Oftentimes, the diagnostic software and component parts necessary for repairs are not easily accessible. This may be a result of repair restrictions created by the manufacturers of these items. Not only does this result in massive amounts of electronic waste, but it inhibits opportunities for independent businesses to repair items, increases costs on consumers and small firms, and is inconvenient for individuals in rural areas. This hearing will examine the impacts of these types of restrictions on small businesses. Members will hear from experts and small businesses about practices that restrict repair, how those practices harm independent businesses, and what policy proposals exist to address them.

Witnesses

Ms. Gay Gordon-Byrne
Executive Director, Digital Right to Repair Coalition, North River, NY

  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM

Mr. Brian Clark
Co-Owner, The iGuys’ Tech Shop, LLC, Conway, NH

Added 09/07/2022 at 01:16 PM
  • Witness Bio and Testimony [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM

Mr. Jim Gerritsen
Marketing Manager, Wood Prairie Family Farm, Bridgewater, ME

Added 09/08/2022 at 03:03 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM

Mr. Ken Taylor
President, Ohio Machinery Co., Broadview Heights, OH, on behalf of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) in his capacity as 2022 Chairman

Added 09/09/2022 at 02:36 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 09/14/2022 at 12:08 PM

Hearing Record

  • Hearing Notice [PDF]
  • Hearing: Witness List [PDF]

First Published: September 7, 2022 at 09:13 AM
Last Updated: September 14, 2022 at 12:08 PM