Third hearing on digital product repair focuses on access to parts, tools and software

Representative Maxine Divert (House District 31) opened the third hearing on HB 162, a broad right‑to‑repair proposal intended to expand independent repair access across many product categories while preserving safety and cybersecurity safeguards.

Legislative intern Emma Sloczynski summarized the bill's operations: manufacturers would be required to make available parts, tools and documentation already provided to authorized repair providers on comparable terms to independent repair providers and owners. A sponsor‑led CS (committee substitute) is pending to add clarifying language and safety carveouts.

Nathan Proctor (Right to Repair Campaign, Public Interest Research Groups) said manufacturers restrict repairs by using software and proprietary tools and argued broader access would increase safety and competition. "When the only one who can fix something is the manufacturer ... consumers are beholden to the manufacturer for the continued use of that thing," Proctor said.

Industry witnesses raised concerns. Representatives of equipment dealers and the marine sector said some categories—large agricultural or mining equipment and marine engines—pose safety or federal‑emissions concerns; they also asked whether tools or software access would inadvertently void warranties. Committee staff and witnesses clarified federal law (Magnuson‑Moss Warranty Act) limits manufacturers' ability to void warranties solely because a non‑authorized provider performed a repair, and staff said motor vehicles are explicitly exempted in the bill.

Another technical point discussed was whether manufacturers may recoup production costs for software or diagnostic tools that are not physical items; sponsors said they plan to add language in the CS to clarify production‑cost recoupment for non‑physical tools while preserving access.

Next steps: sponsors plan a CS to reconcile industry concerns and clarify exemptions and cost‑recoup language; the committee removed an imminent amendment deadline while the CS is developed.