FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tiffany Roberts for Congress
January 20, 2026
Senate Vote on LD 1228 Underscores the Need for Leadership Ready for Today’s Technology and Tomorrow’s Challenges
AUGUSTA, ME — Today, the Maine State Senate voted to sustain the Governor’s veto of LD 1228, legislation intended to clarify and implement Maine’s voter-approved automotive right-to-repair law. The vote comes despite strong bipartisan support in the House and years of collaborative work to address the real-world complexities of modern vehicle technology.
LD 1228 was developed to translate voter intent into workable policy in an era where vehicles are increasingly software-driven, networked, and subject to evolving cybersecurity concerns. The bill sought to balance consumer access, small-business viability, and public safety, recognizing that technology has advanced faster than the laws governing it.
“Today’s vote is disappointing, but it’s also revealing,” said Tiffany Roberts, original sponsor of LD 1228 and candidate for Congress. “It shows how challenging it can be for our political system, at every level, to keep pace with technology that’s changing how we live, work, and own property.”
In the final hours before the vote, several senators reversed earlier positions following late outreach from outside interests. The shift highlights how difficult it is to sustain thoughtful, technically grounded policymaking when complex issues collide with political pressure.
“This bill was never about scoring political points,” Roberts said. “It was about doing the hard work of understanding how modern systems actually function, and writing laws that reflect that reality. When technology outpaces understanding, good ideas can stall, even when the intent is right.”
Roberts has spent years working alongside engineers, small business owners, cybersecurity experts, and independent repair shops to understand how emerging technologies affect everyday Mainers. That experience shaped LD 1228 and continues to inform her approach to public service.
“We don’t need leaders who have all the answers,” Roberts added. “We need leaders who are willing to learn, ask the right questions, and engage with complexity instead of avoiding it. The challenges coming from artificial intelligence to data security to advanced manufacturing won’t wait for us to catch up.”
Maine voters overwhelmingly approved the original right-to-repair referendum. While today’s vote delays progress, Roberts emphasized that the broader conversation is far from over.
“This moment is bigger than one bill,” she said. “It’s about whether our leadership is prepared for the world we’re already living in and the one that’s coming next. I’ll keep pushing for policies rooted in understanding, transparency, and the courage to engage with modern challenges head-on.”
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