skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump admin to halt new grant funding to Harvard; Environmental groups fight plan to add warehouses in CA's Inland Empire; Detroit area pollution worsens, as 'clean vehicle' debate rolls on; Appreciation can go a long way for AL teachers under pressure.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump administration offers $1,000 to undocumented migrants to self deport. Democrats oppose Social Security changes and Trump's pick to lead the agency, and Congress debates unpopular easing of limits on oil and gas drilling on public lands.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural students who face hurdles going to college are getting noticed, Native Alaskans may want to live off the land but obstacles like climate change loom large, and the Cherokee language is being preserved by kids in North Carolina.

Will 2024 be the year for Oregon 'Right to Repair' law?

play audio
Play

Friday, December 22, 2023   

Oregon will join 24 other states with "right to repair" legislation coming up in the 2024 session.

Five other states will have these laws in effect in the New Year. The products these laws cover vary - from vehicles in Massachusetts, to power wheelchairs and farm equipment in Colorado.

Oregon State Sen. Janeen Sollman's - D-Hillsboro - 2023 bill covers consumer electronics and home appliances. Sollman said people should have options when their devices need repair, and these laws promote "repairability."

"I want to make sure that we have products that last longer," said Sollman. "I believe it saves consumers money, and helps us protect precious resources."

She added that a right-to-repair bill would be an "incredible win" for Oregon small business owners.

Both the Senate and House bills would require manufacturers to make manuals, parts and tools available to consumers and third-party repair shops.

And repair shops would have a person certified to do the repairs, by a reputable certification organization.

Sollman said the bills will likely be further refined in the upcoming session.

Oregon State Public Interest Research Group State Director Charlie Fisher said the certification requirement was in response to feedback from legislators and other stakeholders.

"This provision was added, essentially," said Fisher, "to just give peace of mind that anyone who is a non-authorized independent repair business has the skills they need to be able to, say, fix a phone."

Fisher said "right to repair' is supported by a bipartisan coalition of Oregonians with diverse perspectives.

"Whether it's reducing electronic waste or cutting climate pollution, there's a really strong environmental argument," said Fisher. "But in addition to that, it saves families money - it supports small businesses, and it helps repair the digital divide."

Sollman pointed out that "right to repair" would open up the secondhand market, narrowing the "digital divide" caused by the high cost of new devices.

"To be able to fix a product and then sell it at a reasonable rate, or donate it, to get it back in the hands of somebody who could use it," said Sollman. "Consumers are benefiting because they have choice in the cost, and it benefits our planet."

"E-waste" worldwide is on track to reach 74 million metric tons by 2030. The Global E-waste Monitor says one factor contributing to this waste is having limited options to repair electronic devices.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The Ohio Education Association estimates Ohio public schools would be underfunded by $2.75 billion under the House version of the state budget. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As Ohio lawmakers debate the state budget, advocates for public schools are voicing concerns proposed cuts and policy changes could harm children's …


Environment

play sound

A big warehouse project proposed for the Inland Empire is being challenged in court Wednesday by a coalition of environmental justice groups…

Social Issues

play sound

Groups fighting hunger in Oregon are urging residents to speak up if they are concerned about the cuts Congress could make to food, health care and …


Eduardo Mata Montessori in Dallas received a technology award package valued at $1,000, which included their choice of tech "essentials," such as laptops, keyboards, projectors, headphones and speakers. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Across Texas, 63 schools are participating in a Parent Teacher Association digital literacy program known as "PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go!." The …

Social Issues

play sound

Seattle's City Council voted last week to put the city's Democracy Voucher Program on the ballot to be renewed in August and supporters of the program…

The Agriculture Enterprise Area Program, under the Farmland Preservation program, offers additional financial incentives for communities who commit to keeping land in agriculture use for a specified period. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Wisconsin's investment in preserving its agricultural land is offering some solace to farmers and landowners while helping them save money amid a clim…

Social Issues

play sound

Minnesota law requires K-12 school libraries to be staffed by a licensed media specialist but survey results indicated almost half of districts have d…

Environment

play sound

Today, the Republican budget package on the nation's energy policy gets a closer look from the House Natural Resources Committee in Congress…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021