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AB407 narrows right‑to‑repair bill to wheelchairs and personal mobility devices after testimony from users
Summary
Assemblymember Tracy Brown‑May presented an amended AB407 focused specifically on wheelchairs and personal mobility devices; supporters said the bill would speed repairs, protect independence and help small repair businesses, while manufacturers’ trade groups asked for clarity on intellectual‑property and trade‑secret language.
Assemblymember Tracy Brown‑May presented a revised version of Assembly Bill 407 (version 3), narrowed to address right‑to‑repair access for wheelchairs and personal mobility devices. The amendment restricts covered equipment to personal mobility devices and clarifies definitions, documentation and liability protections.
Sponsor Brown‑May opened the hearing by introducing Connor Fogel, who described personal experience with extended repair delays that limited his independence and employment opportunities. "When his chair breaks down and he doesn't have access to repair, he can't leave his house," Brown‑May said; Fogel testified that lack of timely repairs affected his ability to work and participate in community life.
Under the amended language, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) would be required on "fair and reasonable terms and costs" to make available to owners and independent repair providers the documentation, parts, embedded software or tools needed to diagnose, maintain and repair covered equipment — including updates — while preserving protections for valid trade secrets and intellectual property. The amendment prohibits OEMs from retaliating against independent repair providers and from imposing restrictions not reasonably necessary to enable repair. The measure also clarifies liability provisions and assigns deceptive‑trade‑practice remedies for violations.
Supporters included disability‑advocacy groups, Opportunity Village, the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, NFIB Nevada (small business) and individual repair advocates. Testimony emphasized the human cost of long repair timelines and the economic benefit of enabling local repair businesses to serve multiple brands. "Imagine asking these repair companies to go without their legs for 6 months to a year," said Katherine Nielsen of the Governor's Council, describing wheelchairs as essential medical devices.
A neutral technical comment came from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which asked sponsors to refine definitions and to ensure intellectual‑property language covers patents, trademarks and copyrights to avoid unintended consequences for other products such as smart lighting. The sponsor said the amendment addresses many initial concerns and indicated openness to moving the bill effective date earlier than the January 1 target if the committee adopts an amendment.
The committee closed the hearing with broad support from advocacy organizations but no recorded opposition. Sponsors said they will consider changing the effective date upon passage.
