Right to Repair · Washington
Washington Fair Repair Act
SB 5256 - enacted in Washington.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2025
- Enacted
- 9
- States with right to repair laws
- 62/100
- Washington strictness
The bottom line
Washington Fair Repair Act is an enacted law in Washington, part of a still-emerging right to repair landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2026-01-01
- 9
- states have right to repair laws
- 10/10
- right to repair laws enacted nationally
- 62/100
- Washington strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Washington legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Washington Fair Repair Act
Washington Fair Repair Act (SB 5256) is an enacted law in Washington under the Right to Repair category. It was enacted on 2025-05-06 and becomes effective on 2026-01-01. Washington currently reports 7 tracked regulations with 7 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 62/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 10 right to repair statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 9 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Washington within a still-emerging right to repair landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in SB 5256 itself.
Applicability under Washington Fair Repair Act: Consumer electronics sold in Washington. Penalty exposure is documented as: AG enforcement. WA Consumer Protection Act. Notable exemptions: Motor vehicles, medical devices, agricultural..
Summary
Comprehensive electronics repair with parts pairing restrictions.
Key Requirements
Parts, tools, docs. Fair pricing. Parts pairing restrictions.
Penalties
AG enforcement. WA Consumer Protection Act.
Applicability
Consumer electronics sold in Washington.
Exemptions
Motor vehicles, medical devices, agricultural.
Official Source
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5256&Year=2025How Washington compares on right to repair
9 states regulate right to repair - Washington ranks #8 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 6 | New York | 62 |
| 7 | Oregon | 62 |
| 8 | Washington (this state) | 62 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 48 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have right to repair regulations?
As of the last verification, 9 states have enacted right to repair regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Washington is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all right to repair regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Washington Fair Repair Act enacted?
Washington Fair Repair Act was enacted on 2025-05-06 and became effective on 2026-01-01. It was introduced as SB 5256.
What are the penalties for violating Washington Fair Repair Act?
AG enforcement. WA Consumer Protection Act. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Washington Fair Repair Act apply to small businesses?
Consumer electronics sold in Washington. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Washington compare to other states on right to repair?
Washington has a regulatory strictness score of 62/100, based on 7 enacted regulations out of 7 tracked. Nationally, 9 states have enacted right to repair laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Washington Fair Repair Act?
The official text of Washington Fair Repair Act (SB 5256) is available from the Washington legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
Regulation Guides
Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
Explore Regulations
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Washington Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for right to repair compliance.
- Washington Fair Repair Act is enacted in Washington, effective 2026-01-01. Official source
- 9 states now regulate right to repair; Washington ranks #8 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Washington tracks across all five policy areas. Washington profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Washington source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.