Madison – Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) was proud to testify before the Assembly Consumer Protection Committee today on Assembly Bill 14, legislation relating to the repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty.
“I have always said that good legislation does not come from a bunch of politicians sitting around a table in Madison,” Rep. Tittl said. “They come from people with lived experiences and this is a prime example because this bill was brought to me by a farmer named Tom Freis who lives who lives in Newton, WI.”
This bill allows defective implements of husbandry to be repaired and replaced when these implements can no longer do the job they were purchased to do. If a buyer’s farm equipment under warranty remains defective, the authorized dealer or manufacturer must repair it.
If the defection has been subject to repair at least four times, and the defection persists or if the equipment is out of service for a period of thirty days while under warranty, the consumer is entitled to a replacement or a full refund.
“This bill will provide much needed relief for farmers who would otherwise incur excessive repair costs for malfunctioning farm implements,” said Rep Tittl, “We live in a time when Wisconsin farmers are facing mounting pressure to turn a profit and many fear they might soon lose their farm.”
Wisconsin has already had a lemon law in place that covers cars, trucks, and SUV’s since 1984. This bill is modeled after our current automotive lemon law. Ten other states already have agricultural equipment lemon laws, including our neighbors Illinois and Minnesota. Tennessee is the most recent to have done so in 2021.
The bill now needs a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Tourism.
