Rep. Tittl authors Wisconsin Assembly bill establishing lemon law for farm machinery

The new bill authored by State Rep. Paul Tittl in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to protect consumers by requiring repairs or refunds for defective farm machinery, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes a “lemon law” for implements of husbandry, such as farm machinery, requiring manufacturers, lessors, or authorized dealers to repair defects covered by an express warranty. If an implement cannot be repaired after at least four attempts or is out of service for 30 cumulative days due to a defect, the consumer is entitled to a replacement or a full refund. The refund must include the purchase price, sales tax, finance charges, and collateral costs, minus a reasonable deduction for use. Consumers opting for a new product have 45 days to receive it, or a refund if it cannot be provided. The bill mandates full disclosure of returned defective implements prior to resale or lease. If the original defect disclosure is not made, dealers are indemnified by the manufacturer for related costs, and the latter must also reimburse sales tax to consumers. The law does not restrict additional consumer rights under other statutes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), along 10 other co-sponsors.

Paul Tittl has authored or co-authored another four bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Tittl, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2013 to represent the state’s 25th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Bob Ziegelbauer.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.