New Texas laws going into effect Sept. 1 cover electronics repairs, special education funding and more - KSAT

The biggest change for everyday folks here is the right-to-repair law, House Bill 2963, which requires electronics manufacturers to make certain parts, tools, and repair manuals available to independent repair shops and consumers. If your laptop dies and you want to take it somewhere other than an authorized dealer, that option just got a little more protected by state law. The law does not cover all products, with medical equipment among the exemptions.

Beyond electronics, the new laws also address special education funding, allow gold and silver to be used for purchases, and tighten oversight of solar companies operating in Texas. That last one could matter in Lubbock, where solar installations have grown steadily across the South Plains in recent years.

For people here, the practical effect depends on which law touches your life. Parents navigating special education services in Lubbock ISD could see funding shifts. Homeowners who recently signed solar contracts may find their providers facing stricter state scrutiny. Anyone who has ever been told they had to use a manufacturer's repair shop now has a legal argument for alternatives.

Texas now joins a growing number of states that have passed right-to-repair legislation, a movement that started with tractors and farm equipment before spreading to consumer electronics.