HB93 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Electronic equipment, right-to-repair, access to codes, etc., by independent repair providers, Atty. Gen. to enforce

Summary

HB93 would create the Digital Fair Repair Act to let independent repair providers fix digital electronics by requiring manufacturers to share essential repair information, parts, tools, and firmware on fair terms, with enforcement by the Attorney General.

What This Bill Does

It requires original equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and device owners with the documentation, parts, tools, and embedded software updates needed for diagnosing, maintaining, or repairing digital electronic equipment, on fair and reasonable terms. It also requires making special documentation, tools, and parts available to reset security locks when needed during repair, potentially through secure release systems. Violations would be treated as unlawful practices under Alabama's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, with enforcement by the Attorney General. The act excludes motor vehicle manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, and motor vehicle dealers, and applies to equipment sold or in use on or after the act’s effective date.

Who It Affects

• Independent repair providers: gain access to necessary documentation, parts, tools, and embedded software on fair terms to diagnose/repair devices.
• Equipment owners/consumers: gain rights to access documentation, parts, tools, and security-reset capabilities to facilitate repairs, often via independent providers.

Key Provisions

• OEMs must make available to independent repair providers and owners the documentation, parts, tools, and embedded software updates on fair and reasonable terms; if a part is no longer available, it need not be provided.
• For devices with security locks, OEMs must provide the necessary documentation, tools, and parts to reset the lock or function when disabled during repair, available to owners and independent providers through secure release systems.
• Violations are unlawful practices under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, with the Attorney General empowered to enforce and pursue remedies.
• Trade secrets may not be disclosed beyond what is necessary to provide documentation, parts, and tools; terms cannot waive the manufacturer’s obligations.
• Excludes motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers, and motor vehicle dealers from the act.
• Applies to equipment sold or used on or after the effective date; becomes law immediately after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumers and Consumer Protection