OLYMPIA, WA (MYBELLINGHAMNOW.COM) – A Bellingham repair shop owner wants you to have the right to repair your phone or other electronics.

Mitch Kramer started Fixco in his bedroom about 11 years ago and now has a shop on Commercial Street.

He says manufacturers, especially Apple, would rather you buy a new device than fix one that’s broken.

“There’s almost nothin’ I can repair in a new laptop, everything’s integrated, soldered together.”

He says they also restrict parts availability, lock software and take other measures that make broken electronics throw-away items.

He testified before a state Senate committee this week in favor of a Right to Repair bill.

It would require manufacturers to make certain parts, tools and manuals available to independent repair shops.

Kramer claims that would allow him to make repairs locally and much faster for customers who are stressed without their devices.

He’s hoping for more success for this bill than one last year that passed the House but died in the Senate.