State Representative Jim Struzzi is looking to close a loophole in the federal lemon law that affects farm equipment.
House Bill 1325 would require manufacturers to “fix defects that substantially impair the use, value or safety of (farm) equipment during the first year of ownership or if the equipment must be ‘in the shop’ for more than 30 days in the first year.” He said that this would close a loophole in the 50-year-old Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act that does not cover farm equipment. Struzzi said that if a farmer purchase a piece of farm equipment that is extremely faulty, there is no legal recourse for them, and it would be devastating for family farmers. He added that it’s even more important to cover a tractor than a car with the lemon law due to the heavy reliance on the equipment for business purposes, saying it would affect supply chains and communities in many ways.
The bill now sits with the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee.
Comments