Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/11/2025 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB111 | |
| SB102 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 111-DIGITAL PRODUCT REPAIR
1:33:25 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 111
"An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of
products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an
unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer
Protection Act; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR MERRICK invited the bill sponsor to put himself on the
record to introduce SB 111.
1:33:45 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR, speaking as sponsor, introduced SB 111. He said
the bill addresses challenges with digital products whose
manufacturers do not make repair tools available. Many products
cannot be repaired by the owner due to proprietary software,
glued components, or special tools withheld by the manufacturer,
forcing customers to use licensed dealers. Such dealers are
often unavailable in Alaska, particularly rural areas. He said
this can cause actual health and safety challenges.
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that although "right to repair"
legislation is still in the early stages, multiple states have
introduced it, including Oregon, Colorado, and New York. SB 111
incorporates provisions from the best parts of those bills and
invited testifiers will provide technical details.
1:35:41 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR said Alaskans are independent, self-sufficient
individuals, who like to repair their vehicles and devices.
Particularly those who live off the road system or in a rural
area where there are not many other options. He cited
Caterpillar and John Deere as examples where large equipment
failures can leave owners waiting weeks or months for repairs.
He noted that owners cannot let an independent mechanic service
that equipment. Such delays are impractical for farmers and
independent mining operations. He expressed hope Alaska will
join other states in adopting the "right to repair" trend.
1:36:49 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced invited testimony on SB 111.
1:37:03 PM
ELIZABETH CHAMBERLAIN, Director of Sustainability, iFixit, San
Luis Obispo, California, testified by invitation in support of
SB 111. She described iFixit as a repair company that provides
over 115,000 step-by-step repair guides for products ranging
from toasters to tractors, and sells parts and tools so
individuals can fix products themselves. She said one in fifteen
Alaskans used iFixit last year, and the company also sells parts
and tools wholesale to independent repair shops. In recent
years, iFixit has partnered with manufacturers to provide
original parts to customers, in some cases to comply with right
to repair laws. She noted that iFixit is now the official parts
distributor for Google Pixel, Microsoft Xbox, Logitech, and
others.
MS. CHAMBERLAIN said both consumers and independent repair shops
report difficulty in obtaining spare parts. Some products, such
as vacuum cleaners and fitness trackers, have no replacement
parts available, while others have only a limited range of
parts. She gave an example involving a Dyson hairdryer with a
faulty power switch. She was unable to locate the needed part.
She reached out to an independent repair shop, and it was unable
to locate that particular part too. When she contacted Dyson for
an out-of-warranty repair, she was told to buy a new hairdryer.
She stated that manufacturers can push consumers to purchase new
products when the manufacturer is not required to share repair
parts.
1:39:39 PM
MS. CHAMBERLAIN said iFixit supports electronics right to repair
legislation nationwide and noted that five states have enacted
such laws. She said many manufacturers do not comply, even where
laws have passed, and especially in states where these laws have
not passed. Even though right to repair is gaining traction, the
pressure needs to continue to ensure Americans can get the
repair access they need. She stated that Alaskans deserve the
same access that is guaranteed by law to consumers in
California, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado. She said
extending the lifespan of electronics benefits: the consumers
pocketbook; the environment; the reduction of waste; the
conservation of raw materials; and the prevention of toxic
byproducts from manufacturing. She said it takes about 34 years
of use for a cell phone to consume as much energy as is required
to make it, and extending product lifespans helps avoid
contributing to the 53 million tons of new electronic waste
generated each year. She expressed support for SB 111 as a sound
compromise that works for all interests.
1:41:26 PM
CHAIR MERRICK said the testifier raised a good point about
enforcement and asked what type of enforcement or recourse is
available to uphold a consumer's legal right to repair.
1:41:41 PM
HAHLEN BEHNKEN, Intern, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, replied that it would be enforced
as violations of other unfair trade practices are enforced under
that Act. He referenced Section 3 of the sectional analysis,
which states:
Section 3. Amends AS 45.50.471(b) by adding violations of SB
111 Digital Product Repair statutes AS 45.45.800-45.45.890 to
the list of unfair methods of competition and unfair or
deceptive acts or practices declared to be unlawful."
MR. BEHNKEN said he would provide additional details in writing.
1:42:20 PM
CHAIR MERRICK said that would be helpful information.
1:42:24 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR expressed his belief enforcement would fall to
the Civil Division of the Department of Law and said he will get
back to the chair with that information.
1:42:45 PM
JOE TORMA, General Manager, Green Star of Interior Alaska,
Fairbanks, Alaska, testified by invitation in support of SB 111.
He stated that Green Star is a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to encourage waste reduction and increase recycling
in Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) communities. In 2017,
Green Star obtained an electronics recycling contract for FNSB
and, in 2020, began operating the central recycling facility in
Fairbanks. He said Green Star also serves as the regional
coordinator for Zender Environmental Backhaul Alaska, which
removes end-of-life electronics from rural communities. He
commented that he sees end of life electronics all day every
day.
MR. TORMA said one of Green Star's main initiatives is "Reuse
It," a retail store selling refurbished laptops, desktops,
network components, TVs, and small appliances, either repaired
or dropped off in working order. The organization also offers
a Rebuild IT" computer class to teach young people how to
assemble computers from reclaimed parts, keeping products out of
the landfill and providing an alternative to buying new.
1:44:55 PM
MR. TORMA said this is the Alaskan way, especially in the
Interior where parts, tools, and documentation are sometimes
unavailable, and the ability to keep items working is part of
daily living. Without access to parts, many items received are
ground up and reclaimed rather than repaired and reused. He
reiterated Green Star's support for SB 111. He suggested
amending the bill language to clarify that tools and
documentation should remain freely available to independent
repair shops, even if a manufacturer can no longer obtain
original replacement parts. He said that, if possible, there
should be no restriction on obtaining parts from secondary
sources and that Green Star relies heavily on reclaimed and
third-party parts.
1:46:39 PM
CHAIR MERRICK said the committee will take his testimony into
consideration. She said she has dealt with this issue as have
others and it is very frustrating.
1:47:17 PM
CHAIR MERRICK held SB 111 in committee.