[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6373878,"mediaKeyId","2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8","parentId",2145419,"title","Maryland committee hears bipartisan push for 'right to repair' power wheelchairs","audioSeconds",841,"startMs",1169000,"endMs",2010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8&start=1169&end=2010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8/thumbnail_1169000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373878/Maryland/Maryland-committee-hears-bipartisan-push-for-right-to-repair-power-wheelchairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373878-7f62d8d29a2fe37877de10791299e67a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775536775&Signature=IugNxEXW4v~WGexfgDxIJgOGbeP1URQkDq44cyLF57XW9OhxNdYKPwwWA~6yE3Tc-hf0S-yN9mxH9YW6h4omWlaHMcKJgngw0XtleoKFr6oUDtubg-c5aWNjZzSJeShkDn46mXbeAodDp5~0JCfjVvbxKXB8~aWJkuO96s-tDuLYgDnEaDelecCgWO6DmsikECf3tuG~2xacTfNAem~6gHInVKk3iTh6dd5gHQS0xwKnewXAa3Bi6PIOGQQshbAePin-iiidyfYmtjmVKCYCZsqAmnjLAA7eoasGC-IBt7BCWijb7MuqXh46uM2k1uuA9fV4568Jisw~wCxv9aZ~ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Economic Matters","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Delegate Aaron Kaufman asked the House Economic Matters Committee on Oct. 12 to back HB 31, legislation that would require manufacturers of powered wheelchairs to make replacement parts, embedded software, firmware and repair documentation available to wheelchair owners and independent repair providers.

The bill, which Kaufman described as modeled after a Colorado law passed in 2022, would treat a manufacturer’s failure to comply as a deceptive trade practice under Maryland law. Kaufman said long delays and limited repair options leave users isolated and at risk: \"When wheelchairs are broken, it's as if our legs are bridled,\" he told the committee, describing delays that can prevent people from working or attending medical appointments.

Supporters said the measure would expand local repair options and help wheelchair users regain independence. Franz Schneiderman of Consumer Auto Maryland said the proposal would \"mean much better access to vital repairs and the ability to get the repairs done more quickly for a group of consumers who very much depend on these devices for their livelihoods.\" Steve Sakamoto Wengle of the Maryland attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division recommended a favorable report and framed the matter as a public-safety and consumer-protection issue: the division has long supported right-to-repair measures that expand safe repair alternatives.

Disability Rights Maryland emphasized the bill’s civil-rights implications. Darya Pugh told the committee that market concentration among a few manufacturers leaves many wheelchair users with long waits and high costs; she urged passage to give users choice, reduce wait times and support local repair businesses.

Supporters cited published surveys showing prolonged repair waits: according to testimony citing US PIRG data, 62% of wheelchair users reported repairs taking four or more weeks and 40% reported waits of seven or more weeks; supporters said 93% of respondents had needed service in the prior year and roughly 83% said right-to-repair would help.

Committee members asked about federal preemption, safety and whether the bill would require the provision of encryption keys or create liability for independent technicians. Witnesses said the bill would require manufacturers only to provide the information necessary to perform diagnostics, maintenance and repairs and that failure to comply would be treated as an unfair trade practice rather than creating a new private tort.

No formal vote was recorded during the hearing. Supporters asked the committee for a favorable report; the hearing record includes written testimony from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Maryland Council of Independent Living.

Kaufman and witnesses said the bill includes no anticipated fiscal impact to state operations. The committee will consider drafting amendments and the bill’s language before a possible vote in coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECM Committee Session, 1/21/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Delegate Aaron Kaufman asked the House Economic Matters Committee on Oct. 12 to back HB 31, legislation that would require manufacturers of powered wheelchairs to make replacement parts, embedded software, firmware and repair documentation available to wheelchair owners and independent repair providers.","taxTitle","Economic Matters Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15059,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373863,"Maryland hearing pits veterans’ groups against for-profit claims consultants over accreditation and fees",709,5976000,6685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8&start=5976&end=6685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8/thumbnail_5976000.jpg","/articles/6373863/Maryland/Maryland-hearing-pits-veterans-groups-against-for-profit-claims-consultants-over-accreditation-and-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373863-6b78adbf2904b2b8819de56c0ba03f74/orig.mp4?Expires=1775536775&Signature=aLAPUpiYL-pIkiZ7TlQ9QfrBy4NDmQgVE2sAPfpNb~8e54LjSezPJ2r49FG7No8CAzXJ3vJOj-Ek51BmyLMmxmSumSh5UnAmJ6NHiX8gXzuD5MOYW8yLXzCZlmgcZYdCQJ-PaiU6nVR1etKeFLENnXgy~ZuBkhwJSpTVr5EDeYl~c~sbr4ARC5O8XFaWKyUivJ9iZgC8JITbl9lOeFPcw7c8R4PuaYQWgNgMzkigLO2yCh3b77ZdOYOHN~9A7eUMiJBoG1o2fKDncut3IiyQ0RN1JkhHxNSAkXOJJgaABFRfV0c~XB2BXv7zyyDofZtqxkEJeW7x2zLPPTS8PEhu2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Nick Allen told the Economic Matters Committee HB 267 would protect Maryland veterans from companies that charge fees to prepare initial VA claims or to assist with appeals without federal accreditation. Allen said federal law already bars charging for initial claims unless the helper is accredited by the VA, but criminal penalties were repealed in 2006 and enforcement gaps persist.

Representatives of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans urged the committee to approve the bill so the state attorney general could enforce federal standards and stop predatory actors they call \"claims sharks.\" Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Tony Woods said his department provides free accredited services and cited a 94% claims-acceptance rate when veterans use accredited assistance; the department said it handled 5,100 claims and secured about $45 million in benefits last year.

VFW and DAV witnesses described cases in which unaccredited companies charged veterans thousands of dollars and, they said, sometimes compromised back-pay recovery or encouraged harmful practices. The VFW's legislative representative Kurt Serber said unaccredited providers \"choose to skirt the law.\"

Representatives of for‑profit consulting firms including Veterans Guardian and others said they want guardrails that stop predatory practices but warned that an outright ban on their business model would remove options for veterans. Several private-sector witnesses described contingent-fee, one-time payment models, disclosure practices and interest in a certification or code of conduct rather than a statewide ban. Veterans Guardian and trade-association witnesses offered specific amendments to require disclosures, fee caps and other safeguards.

Committee members questioned federal preemption and the practical effect of state enforcement; sponsors said they were coordinating with federal counterparts and that congressional bills (the GARD and PLUS Act proposals) remain unresolved. No committee vote was taken; witnesses on both sides requested further negotiation and possible amendments.","HB 267 would authorize the Maryland attorney general to enforce rules barring unaccredited entities from charging veterans for initial VA claims and appeals; state veterans’ officials urged approval while for-profit consultants urged amendments to preserve choice and add guardrails.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373868,"Consumer advocates, retailers debate automatic-renewal protections and private right of action",479,4241000,4720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8&start=4241&end=4720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8/thumbnail_4241000.jpg","/articles/6373868/Maryland/Consumer-advocates-retailers-debate-automatic-renewal-protections-and-private-right-of-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373868-23192a5fb4ff313310eb7d4adc778509/orig.mp4?Expires=1775536775&Signature=Q7g-Ele8rUqOkOpv1ivE0E7OnGdqlo2KyB2D7fjVGMSLsb1-~bjS90tYgu3T6pdcghub5lnCwJiU10r9acJjb5ZM0MWlsImvkY02XikqXHtABDiRCjf65vu4KOAtD9g-mlSA2SrSjQkWtm15mhzrmSWiODQYplkSKLvB1rLg-fpFobUk8G3weU5F1~Vv2J5xt1~-PQEG5GNoVrC73OJNwhzK4Yvn1Vd8-PVHjjNwC7pALIbKByGY71k1~5db3M624cQX7sfryA6NR6BDUMqk7YghwRAy7FyHKKSHuvgz4PAkkR3daWVwgiy9mBeGN-EAfhhVAY8FYA4sohilI4iZrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Andrew Pruski presented HB 107 to the House Economic Matters Committee as a consumer-protection measure to govern \"automatic renewal\" offers — subscription or purchase agreements that automatically renew for subsequent terms unless canceled.

Pruski said the bill would require clear, conspicuous presentation of renewal terms, the post‑trial price, and a cost-effective means to cancel using the same mechanism used to make the purchase. The measure would also require a phone number be made available during normal business hours and a notice-window (15–45 days) before a contract renews automatically after an initial term of one month or longer.

Consumer advocates and the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division supported the bill. Franz Schneiderman said the measure would increase transparency and protect consumers from so-called dark-pattern marketing. Steve Sakamoto Wengle of the attorney general’s office recommended a favorable report \"with one amendment\": restoring a private right of action under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act so individual victims could seek remedies if the attorney general could not pursue every enforcement case.

Industry witnesses including TechNet and the Maryland Retailers Alliance said they supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to make its language less prescriptive and more technology-neutral — for example replacing a list of permitted cancellation mechanisms with a standard such as \"cost-effective, timely and easy to use\" to accommodate changing interfaces. Trade witnesses also urged narrowing scope to consumer (personal, family, household) transactions to avoid unintended effects on business‑to‑business contracts.

Committee members discussed enforcement trade-offs: the attorney general's office said it could mediate and pursue pattern-and-practice enforcement but lacked resources to bring every individual claim. The AG argued a private right of action would help individuals who suffer uncompensated harm.

No formal vote was taken; sponsors and stakeholders signaled willingness to negotiate amended language.","Delegate Andrew Pruski said HB 107 would require clearer disclosures and an easy cancellation process for automatic renewal offers, with supporters urging stronger protections and industry groups asking for technology-neutral drafting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373858,"Restaurants, retailers push Maryland bill to bar swipe fees on tax and tips; banks and payment networks push back",790,3690000,4480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8&start=3690&end=4480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8/thumbnail_3690000.jpg","/articles/6373858/Maryland/Restaurants-retailers-push-Maryland-bill-to-bar-swipe-fees-on-tax-and-tips-banks-and-payment-networks-push-back","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373858-072e5a7692dca8c50886962064a7a59f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775536775&Signature=VGHW544VFUn22fuJb96qygbq6dH1XasmewEkmV~avz9i5~9ZarcXfSj70r969MpSr0R~TzEcdXV89-9IrolIHsDGb19tpnIpR25AuW1yPLEYYlT2UPRZlSFU0jrrzYbDkoIo11dxX3yH1hZqz0L8S~DOcWvZpnp-jpRvODugrpqCVDsz84t1coSUAdLJmiAwGxYZ8nVlrfOp4~gKBOouBEZuyveXipIZXj92OBnaaK0itqAxn~Uvr8s888z1puxZ7MiFX8hRCqHOqej6ipFRVMNnGk~OEDVtb4VjqpM98CncKN39iPATYVZQc7J~0273268iD95Yd2Rp8az2jKiedw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Dana Morgan proposed HB 29 to stop interchange (\"swipe\") fees on the sales-tax and gratuity portions of card transactions. Morgan said Maryland businesses collectively paid about $156.9 million in swipe fees on sales tax in 2023 and argued the state should not let card networks collect fees on money merchants merely transmit to others.

Proponents — including the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the Maryland Retailers Alliance, convenience-store groups and local business owners — told the committee the cost of processing sales tax and tips is a substantial operating burden for small businesses. Melvin Thompson of the Restaurant Association said swipe fees are often the business’s largest expense after labor and food costs; restaurateur Anthony Clark said his group paid about $400,000 in processing fees across four Annapolis restaurants in 2024.

Industry groups and financial institutions urged caution or opposition. The Maryland Bankers Association, the Maryland and DC Credit Union Association and national payments-industry witnesses said the existing payment system is a secure, global service and that the bill would be technically difficult to implement and potentially preempted for nationally chartered banks. The bankers’ group noted a pending Illinois court case that found the payment networks’ rules are subject to challenge but also concluded national banks may be preempted under federal law.

Technology and payments experts said the underlying data to exempt tax and gratuity is present in a transaction, but argued changes would require network- and issuer-level implementation. Retailers and trade groups said processors and networks can perform the separation and that Illinois testimony shows feasibility.

Committee members questioned implementation details, possible impacts on rewards programs and whether any benefits would flow to consumers. Opponents cautioned the cost-shifting could appear elsewhere in the payments ecosystem. The hearing record shows a wide range of supporters from local business owners; bankers and payments-industry groups registered opposition and warned of operational disruption. No vote was recorded at the hearing.","Delegate Dana Morgan introduced HB 29 to bar card networks and issuers from charging interchange fees on the sales-tax and gratuity portions of card transactions; restaurants, retailers and convenience stores supported the idea, while banks and payments-industry groups warned of technical and legal obstacles.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373873,"Supporters say new Maryland cooperative statute would smooth worker-owned business conversions",1854,2356000,4210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8&start=2356&end=4210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145419-fd62f647d701d8a1a19929c8d6fd28a8/thumbnail_2356000.jpg","/articles/6373873/Maryland/Supporters-say-new-Maryland-cooperative-statute-would-smooth-worker-owned-business-conversions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373873-3d9c4244a96fb6df7c5f3d4f69fff9be/orig.mp4?Expires=1775536775&Signature=fSoc~gS3MetpohonRh7CsmXnVBXfdwTpatyLj7ues8HR6nKnFwdmHjIemfO-gLTB1PckV4CeiiJ8D4RpIOaFxliqBUFT23v0CeetjME77TbXQdTTSM4daSNTua8zrhA~eFD3lUGTobLKq02qB6zfT6-ZdeZTo-g6QJBhXdS7gFxf0jcDWlDBivlrQSqK7KTTGRghV8krShk25onUDMHlzp7zIp2~fnX-U4Xmbz5JQIUv8qrTUJFS-NyLHFLF1LKAAHe3ouj1TVYu9BxKnevQLwOllG0YqcdRc8dirHgfM-1V0B~5Xb7~KfoGFtDdjnLrRlWouR-7GO4sg2ngGK~DHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 15, presented Oct. 12 to the House Economic Matters Committee, would create a Maryland Limited Worker Cooperative Act, establishing rules for formation, governance, conversion and dissolution of worker cooperatives in the state.

Katie Hardy, chief of staff for Delegate Lily Chee, told the committee that current Maryland law recognizes five cooperative forms but not worker cooperatives, leaving about 30 known Maryland worker co-ops without a statutory home. \"By including worker cooperatives in the statute, we will not only provide legal recognition to the over 30 known worker cooperatives in our state, but we will also create a path for more businesses to follow the cooperative model and thrive in our state's economy,\" she said.

Supporters argued worker cooperatives produce social and economic benefits: witnesses described lower turnover, higher productivity, and a route for aging owners to sell to employees rather than shuttering community businesses. Charlotte Davis, executive director of Keystone Development Center, cited pilot projects in Western Maryland where owners wanted to retire but market buyers could be found for only a fraction of those businesses.

Worker-owners and converted businesses gave firsthand testimony. Emily Lerman of Mira Kitchen Collective and Caitlin O'Connor of The Wine Source described complex and expensive entity conversions and difficulties obtaining accurate tax and workers’ compensation treatment without a cooperative statute. David Lids of Water Bottle Cooperative said lack of a statute forced his group to hire out-of-state lawyers.

The Maryland State Bar Association’s Business Law Section submitted informational comments and has highlighted technical and drafting questions; committee members asked whether amendments from prior sessions addressed most concerns. Sponsors said the latest draft reflects negotiations with the Bar's Business Law Section, the comptroller’s office and the Maryland Insurance Administration and that unresolved issues were largely clarifications rather than substantive blocks.

Supporters urged a favorable report and offered to work with the committee on amendments to address remaining technical questions on workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance treatment, and tax reporting. No formal vote was recorded at the hearing.","HB 15 would create a limited worker cooperative entity in state law; proponents said the change would help employees buy and preserve local businesses, reduce turnover and support rural economies. Business-law reviewers raised technical concerns; sponsors said most issues have been addressed by amendments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Maryland committee hears bipartisan push for 'right to repair' power wheelchairs

Maryland hearing pits veterans’ groups against for-profit claims consultants over accreditation and fees

Consumer advocates, retailers debate automatic-renewal protections and private right of action

Restaurants, retailers push Maryland bill to bar swipe fees on tax and tips; banks and payment networks push back

Supporters say new Maryland cooperative statute would smooth worker-owned business conversions