HB 162 Alaska House · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

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.

HB 162, the Digital Right to Repair Act, requires digital product manufacturers (like those making smartphones, computers, or smart devices) to provide independent repair shops and device owners with necessary documentation, parts, and tools for diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing products. Manufacturers must share software/firmware updates and cannot charge independent repairers more than they charge their own authorized service providers. The law also mandates that security features disabling repair functions must be reset with available documentation and tools. This directly affects manufacturers, independent repair businesses, and consumers seeking affordable, accessible repair options in Alaska.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 28, 2025 Last action May 8, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB 162 → CSHB 162(CRA) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a first-session version to a committee-referred version for the second legislative session, changing the session dates and referral committee. Substantively, the bill's scope was expanded to include 'modification' of digital products and added 'power-sports equipment' to the list of items requiring reasonable repair terms. Additionally, a new section was added to allow manufacturers to require training or certification for independent repairers of commercial and industrial equipment involving safety systems.

Scope change

The bill now applies to a broader range of equipment, including power-sports devices, and introduces new requirements for training or certification when repairing commercial and industrial safety systems.

TIMELINE

The session changed from the Thirty-Fourth Legislature - First Session to the Thirty-Fourth Legislature - Second Session, with the offer date updated to 4/22/26.

ELIGIBILITY

The referral committee was changed from 'Community and Regional Affairs, Labor and Commerce' to just 'Labor and Commerce'.

SCOPE

The definition of digital product activities now explicitly includes 'modification' in addition to diagnosis, maintenance, and repair.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that manufacturers provide parts on reasonable terms for power-sports equipment, power-driven machinery, and power-producing devices.

A new exemption allows manufacturers to require reasonable training or certification for independent repairers of commercial and industrial equipment before accessing safety or critical system information.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2026

Committee

(H) REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

(H) Moved CSHB 162(CRA) Out of Committee

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors