Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB476 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HB476INTRODUCED
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3	3	HB476
4	4	9JA3JPP-1
5	5	By Representatives Lands, Almond, Daniels, Drummond, Travis,
6	6	Robbins, Clarke
7	7	RFD: Judiciary
8	8	First Read: 20-Mar-25
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14	14	6 9JA3JPP-1 03/13/2025 ZAK (L)ma 2025-832
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16	16	First Read: 20-Mar-25
17	17	SYNOPSIS:
18	18	This bill would provide certain requirements for
19	19	manufacturers of electronic equipment and software to
20	20	ensure consumers and independent repair providers may
21	21	repair electronics.
22	22	This bill would also provide civil penalties
23	23	for, and a private right of action against,
24	24	manufacturers that violate these requirements.
25	25	A BILL
26	26	TO BE ENTITLED
27	27	AN ACT
28	28	Relating to consumer protection; to provide
29	29	requirements for manufacturers of electronic equipment and
30	30	software to ensure consumers and independent repair providers
31	31	may repair electronics; and to provide civil penalties for
32	32	violations.
33	33	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
34	34	Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as
35	35	the Right to Repair Act.
36	36	Section 2. (a) The Legislature finds and declares the
37	37	following:
38	38	(1) Consumers and independent repair providers face
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66	66	28 HB476 INTRODUCED
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68	68	(1) Consumers and independent repair providers face
69	69	significant barriers to repairing electronic devices and
70	70	equipment, leading to increased costs and electronic waste.
71	71	(2) The inability to repair purchased products
72	72	undermines consumer rights and stifles competition in the
73	73	repair market.
74	74	(3) Enabling repairs benefits the environment by
75	75	extending the lifespan of electronic products and reducing the
76	76	volume of waste sent to landfills.
77	77	(b) The purpose of this act is to ensure that consumers
78	78	and independent repair providers have access to the necessary
79	79	resources to repair and maintain electronic products in a fair
80	80	and reasonable manner.
81	81	Section 3. For the purposes of this act, the following
82	82	terms have the following meanings:
83	83	(1) CONSUMER. Any person that purchases or leases
84	84	electronic equipment for personal, business, or other use.
85	85	(2) INDEPENDENT REPAIR PROVIDER. Any person not
86	86	affiliated with a manufacturer that offers repair services for
87	87	electronic equipment.
88	88	(3) MANUFACTURER. Any person that manufactures or
89	89	distributes electronic equipment or software.
90	90	(4) REPAIR DOCUMENTATION. Instructions, diagrams,
91	91	schematics, software, or other information necessary to
92	92	diagnose, maintain, or repair electronic equipment.
93	93	Section 4. (a) A manufacturer shall make repair
94	94	documentation, software, and tools available to consumers and
95	95	independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms.
96	96	(b) A manufacturer shall not impose contractual or
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126	126	(b) A manufacturer shall not impose contractual or
127	127	technical limitations on access to repair documentation,
128	128	tools, or software, except as allowed under Section 6.
129	129	Section 5. (a) A manufacturer shall ensure the
130	130	availability of replacement parts for electronic equipment for
131	131	a minimum of five years after the last production date of the
132	132	product.
133	133	(b) Replacement parts shall be offered on fair and
134	134	reasonable terms without requiring consumers or independent
135	135	repair providers to purchase additional services.
136	136	Section 6. (a) A manufacturer may seek exemptions for
137	137	specific categories of equipment where unrestricted access to
138	138	repair resources poses a demonstrable risk to public safety,
139	139	health, or privacy.
140	140	(b) Exemptions shall require justification supported by
141	141	evidence and shall be reviewed by the Attorney General.
142	142	Section 7. (a) Any manufacturer that violates this act
143	143	shall be subject to penalties, including a fine not exceeding
144	144	ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation.
145	145	(b) Consumers and independent repair providers may
146	146	bring a civil action to enforce their rights under this act.
147	147	Section 8. Manufacturers shall not be held liable for
148	148	damages arising from repairs conducted by consumers or
149	149	independent repair providers; provided, the manufacturer has
150	150	complied with the provisions of this act.
151	151	Section 9. This act shall become effective on October
152	152	1, 2025.
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