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Committee adopts substitute for digital product repair bill, hears wide testimony on security and access
Summary
The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB162 (digital product repair) as the working document and heard extensive invited and public testimony. Supporters cited consumer choice, reduced e-waste and repair access in rural Alaska; industry witnesses urged exemptions for security, medical devices and certain equipment and opposed a private right of action.
On March 19 the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee adopted the committee substitute for HB162 (digital product repair), then heard invited and public testimony from repair advocates, environmental groups, independent technicians, recyclers and industry representatives.
Representative Maxine Divert, the bill sponsor, said HB162 would require manufacturers to provide the same parts, tools and documentation they give to authorized repair providers to independent repairers and consumers, while protecting trade secrets and excluding certain categories. "House Bill 162 seeks to address this issue by requiring manufacturers to provide the parts, the tools, and documentation," Divert said, framing the measure as a way to reduce waste and support Alaskan repair shops and communities.
Staff and interns presented data showing…
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