[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6301204,"mediaKeyId","2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693","parentId",2489336,"title","Committee tables bill to expand wheelchair users’ access to repair tools, parts and documentation","audioSeconds",5546,"startMs",6079000,"endMs",11625000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693&start=6079&end=11625","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693/thumbnail_6079000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301204/Montana/Committee-tables-bill-to-expand-wheelchair-users-access-to-repair-tools-parts-and-documentation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301204-37a50585fa1d5939fe34fba5e063a8d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775396531&Signature=XP1YrlB7kYfNixFizl1lW3B6xTmJuq36KnC2xKv6XyxARIAD9F7ezgKcRRl~eutq5-KMrvuLMDPvDmBKncGmnKwzAL36aW1BmdCtVhJRyaPxWd5UqituChOpNlka1ZuvAsrVHTEkAOway-TaOAfXwO~9aaUkT9QN6bMlw7y0gxTrw8PDMwtcPAFERCDzQNMFVTe6U4JQRGbFAPTpvRb7F8I9lDxURNosRyOflp2MFwc-OXt9BoZYV0WkiS1bbjrFWiWLsS7GmD1ZaMCu0970nMm~d~MR~q-FOvUB2L0Ja4x~~tLy6L447gyG2dxugMkVUqCZyguki7I40dDhv27bvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The House Business and Labor Committee tabled House Bill 828, a proposal to guarantee powered wheelchair users and independent repair providers access to parts, documentation and repair tools. Sponsor Representative Zoe Zephyr said the bill is meant to protect mobility and independence for Montanans who rely on powered wheelchairs.

\"Powered wheelchairs are not like someone's shoes. They are their legs,\" Representative Zephyr told the committee. The bill would require original equipment manufacturers to provide documentation, parts and tools and, in specific situations, to make access available for security locks used to protect diagnostic interfaces. It also includes a clause protecting trade secrets and intellectual property from compelled disclosure.

Proponents included disability-rights organizations and centers for independent living. Kona Franks Ongoy of Disability Rights Montana said the bill safeguards \"dignity of risk\" and self-determination, adding that a mobility device’s long repair waits can effectively isolate users. The sponsor cited national survey results during testimony: she said two-thirds of powered-wheelchair users waited more than a month for repairs, 40% waited nearly two months, and 93% reported at least one device failure per year.

Ability and independent-living advocates offered accounts of people who rely on a wheelchair daily and described cases where a simple adjustment — such as a change in speed settings via a manufacturer app — restored a user’s ability to travel with family. Testimony stressed the state's rural geography and limited availability of trained complex-rehab providers outside major cities.

Opponents included the Home Medical Equipment Association of Medical Equipment Providers and regional suppliers. Mike Alcaterra, president of the HME association, said many common maintenance items (batteries, wheels) already can be changed by users, but cautioned that complex rehab devices are class II medical devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and that modifications can affect safety and therapeutic fittings. Suppliers and trade representatives also raised reimbursement and prior-authorization concerns under Medicare and Medicaid, noting warranty, coverage and billing processes that can lengthen repair timelines.

Witnesses described the common delivery model for powered wheelchairs as a capped rental with clinical fitting, physician orders and home evaluation; suppliers said those clinical steps and payer rules account for many repair delays. Opponents also raised questions about liability if non‑licensed individuals perform complex repairs that affect a user’s safety.

Committee members debated those tradeoffs in testimony and questioned whether insurance and prior-authorization rules — rather than statutory access to tools — drive repair delays. Representative Zephyr and other proponents said they would welcome follow-up work to address payer coordination and liability questions.

On executive action the committee adopted a substitute motion to table House Bill 8 28. The roll-call tally on the motion to table was recorded as 13 in favor and 6 opposed, and the bill was moved to the table for further work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business and Labor - Mar 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 828, which would require manufacturers to make documentation, parts and diagnostic tools available to wheelchair users and independent repair providers, drew support from disability-rights and independent-living advocates and opposition from medical-equipment suppliers and insurers; the committee tabled the bill.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","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},6301209,"Committee tables right-to-repair bill for farm equipment after split testimony",8967,2374000,11341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693&start=2374&end=11341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","/articles/6301209/Montana/Committee-tables-right-to-repair-bill-for-farm-equipment-after-split-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301209-7fac46e1f9398d4664d439688af4d232/orig.mp4?Expires=1775396531&Signature=eZLc0WmtfrcJpPccnpbhi3cSGgVcjodSBEL0I4n8sSV79WYo85xDLAM3F9IViVotTA69n19ZgrSv7SG~SjR8pXzlCCAK9r246O9Z-iCXsHkQKdIvXSipgkdyB0yXB8wU9Y00yklD2svVbkqZYxVHV0RuN0a-pIk7NeXylkZX-eOmi2fmTk6DQmACTqmK~3RhPhNvDhKzv7qYQNee2-qnfEAtMJa-~7mNEtdt4D1A0wHif791e17c5eO47XWTwjb29tafZF7EmZVvOHSdDkbWfL2FwRzGRaEIJ23q63kiX7iKqHIHj8pWZvJdX2WrYOl7IeE4TOV0D4tJFVJsISQaXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Business and Labor Committee tabled House Bill 813 after extended testimony from farmer advocates, dealer representatives and industry groups. The bill would clarify the right of equipment owners and independent repair providers to access documentation, tools and software needed to diagnose and repair emissions-related components of agricultural machinery.

Representative Tom France, sponsor of HB 813, framed the bill as aligning state law with federal standards and agency guidance. \"The Environmental Protection Agency believes barriers to the proper repair and maintenance of non road equipment is harmful to the environment,\" France told the committee, citing federal statements that equipment owners must be able to maintain emission-control systems.

Proponents included representatives of Montana’s Farmers Union and Farm Bureau, farm operators and independent repair advocates. Eric Summerfeld (Montana Farmers Union) and Lisa Bennett (a Carbon County property owner who also uses agricultural equipment) emphasized the operational impacts when machinery is down during short seasonal windows. Bennett said downtime can cost farmers heavily: \"On average, farmers lose about $4,000 a year,\" and she estimated the statewide aggregate loss at \"over $3,000,000,000,\" testimony the committee heard during proponents’ remarks.

Witnesses cited federal agency guidance and enforcement activity as support for state action. Testimony referenced the Federal Trade Commission’s 2024 policy work (including the report commonly called \"Nixing the Fix\") and a recent FTC enforcement action against a manufacturer; proponents argued those developments show the federal government favors greater repair access.

Opponents — including equipment dealers, supplier associations and several manufacturers’ regional representatives — warned that required access to dealer-level tools could create safety and compliance risks, complicate warranty and resale rules, and raise cybersecurity exposures. Brad Griffin, executive director of the Montana Equipment Dealers Association, told the committee the measure \"is unnecessary\" and urged the committee to table it. Several dealers said manufacturer software and service tools are already available in customer packages and that complex diagnostics still require trained technicians.

Witnesses also discussed technical issues that arise with modern emissions systems — for example, pairing sensors or engine injectors and the impacts of remote data access. Eric Sommerfeld recounted concerns about remote disabling of machinery in a wartime context, saying opponents had used remote access examples in Ukraine to caution against unregulated access.

Committee members debated penalty language in the draft statute and whether the measure duplicated or conflicted with existing federal obligations. Representative Gist asked about stiff penalties in the bill’s draft; Representative France said he would be willing to work on modifications.

On executive action the committee voted to table House Bill 813. Vice Chair Seacens Crowe moved to \"do concur\" earlier in the proceeding; Representative Schomer offered a substitute motion to table. The roll-call tally on the motion to table was recorded as 11 in favor and 8 opposed.

Because the bill was tabled, no statutory changes were adopted; sponsors and proponents signaled an intent to continue discussions and to work with stakeholders on technical and penalty provisions.","House Bill 813, which would clarify owners’ rights to diagnose and repair emissions-related components on agricultural equipment, drew vocal support from farm and consumer advocates and opposition from equipment dealers and manufacturers. The committee voted to table the bill.",{"_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},6301214,"Montana committee endorses bill to create Montana–Ireland trade commission",1391,831000,2222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693&start=831&end=2222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489336-6bf6728e4b4d9ac6c61226dd7dc85693/thumbnail_831000.jpg","/articles/6301214/Montana/Montana-committee-endorses-bill-to-create-MontanaIreland-trade-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301214-d838bbfa7f1da865101fb381aa326999/orig.mp4?Expires=1775396531&Signature=d2ICeeFlD5c-0AzAw8oCW6VoF8BX~TIZ2V0V5mNwZDjgBeRb4vBRJvWpAYHirYhpYHLSXKQy7DHthaudyBxvIGvuviyMeuz8QMAZTyw9oDALgQp8LCqFCBXLFIiZ203VmZ48735fM4TQHwLVhBKDQu1rh0vI1G2O~6Ac9U-J4Z48BsPsag5FfuOhCcrbmbRgO8O6yD3ntcistrJNIhyanz1sjV1222FaGVdqRaJyu5SOOGSziSQmMWcJNoSgTon4fcEX1izI4OpEYy9DJbeSi9KhwDG5gTAjdeBI4y60kgjQ4scltpR85m7VPnHZUXvfPQmyXe1II6PsNZoqW~ybJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Business and Labor Committee voted unanimously to concur on Senate Bill 3 20, a measure that would create a trade commission linking Montana and Ireland and place administrative responsibility with the Montana Department of Commerce.

Sen. Douglas Cuff, sponsor of the bill in committee, told members the commission would be a working body \"I intend that two years from now, we are going to have some positive news to report in the world of trade.\" He said the commission would be primarily independent and would “require no state funding.”

The bill, as presented to the committee, would establish a commission to facilitate economic, educational and cultural ties between Montana and Ireland. Proponents described potential benefits for Montana agriculture, livestock genetics, higher-education exchanges and high-technology sectors, notably photonics. Sen. Mark Daley, participating remotely as a proponent, said the commission would help U.S. state representatives reach Irish cabinet-level officials and business leaders, and would support reciprocal annual delegations to Montana.

Supporters in the committee included the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Farmers Union and the Montana Chamber of Commerce. Nicole Rolfe of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation said trade \"usually equals expanded markets and better prices at the farm gate.\" Eric Summerfeld of the Montana Farmers Union said the commission could help sell Montana products into Ireland.

Mandy Rambo, deputy director at the Montana Department of Commerce, appeared as an informational witness; the bill names the Department of Commerce as the administrative agency. The sponsor and proponents emphasized that funds for the commission would be raised privately and pass through a state account for transparency.

Committee members asked procedural questions about appointments and timing. Sen. Cuff said he aimed to move the bill quickly so it could reach the governor, noting the Irish consulate visit scheduled around St. Patrick’s Day.

The committee moved to \"do concur\" on Senate Bill 3 20. Vice Chair Seacens Crowe moved the motion; the vote was recorded as unanimous, 19 yes, 0 no. Committee staff reported the bill will advance to the House floor with Representative Katie Sullivan as the House sponsor.

If enacted, the commission would be administratively housed in the Department of Commerce, according to testimony; proponents and informational witnesses said the commission is intended to operate without direct state appropriations and to rely on private fundraising and transparent accounting.

Senate Bill 3 20 will proceed to the House floor for further consideration.","The House Business and Labor Committee voted unanimously to concur on Senate Bill 3 20, which would create a Montana–Ireland trade commission administered by the Montana Department of Commerce that the sponsor said requires no state funding and aims to boost trade, higher-education exchanges and business ties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee tables bill to expand wheelchair users’ access to repair tools, parts and documentation

Committee tables right-to-repair bill for farm equipment after split testimony

Montana committee endorses bill to create Montana–Ireland trade commission