Infrastructure carve-outs threaten repair laws

Companies are promoting vaguely defined 'critical infrastructure' exemptions to state right‑to‑repair laws that could be stretched to cover ordinary consumer devices, reversing access to tools and documentation. Colorado’s SB26-090 — backed by Cisco and IBM and defeated after public testimony — shows this tactic in action and how publicity and expert testimony can block it. — If replicated elsewhere, such carve‑outs could hollow out right‑to‑repair reforms nationwide, concentrating device control with manufacturers and increasing e‑waste and consumer costs.