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Committee advances right-to-repair bill for powered wheelchairs with carve-out for highly specialized devices
Summary
The Economic Matters Committee moved House Bill 31 as amended, creating a limited right-to-repair for powered wheelchairs while excluding highly customized, therapist‑adjusted devices after members raised public-safety and liability concerns.
The Economic Matters Committee moved House Bill 31, a right‑to‑repair measure for powered wheelchairs, as amended to exclude “highly specialized” wheelchairs and components.
Committee members said the amendment narrows the bill to remove devices that require therapist calibration or other advanced technical expertise. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the change was intended to preserve access to repairs for typical powered wheelchairs while protecting devices that require specialized training.
Members who raised concerns compared the debate to other right‑to‑repair conversations involving complex machinery. One committee member said allowing unrestricted access to repair interfaces could create public safety risks because powered wheelchairs operate in public spaces and must function reliably. The member asked whether manufacturers would remain liable for defective repairs; the bill’s supporters said the amendment was not intended to make manufacturers responsible for third‑party repairs and that liability language had been narrowed at subcommittee.
Committee member Seth asked who would bear repair costs. A staff presenter replied that manufacturers, not consumers or independent repair shops, would be on the line under the current amendment because the measure does not change prior‑authorization rules in the bill packet.
The amendment defines the excluded devices by example, pointing to positioning components and items that “require adjustment by therapists or assistive technology professionals.” A committee speaker used the example of an extremely customized wheelchair that requires specialized servicing, saying those devices are the ones the amendment seeks to protect from a broad right‑to‑repair provision.
After discussion the committee conducted a roll call and the bill (as amended) was advanced from the committee record.
Votes at committee: recorded roll call led to the clerk stating the bill "moves." The transcript records multiple “aye” and several “no” responses by roll call; the committee clerk announced the motion carried.
