STAND. COM. REP. NO. 430-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2000

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2000 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO REPAIR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a right to repair for wheelchairs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Papé Equipment.

Your Committee finds that users of wheelchairs may wait weeks for repairs to be finished at exorbitant costs. These lengthy delays create significant challenges, sometimes leading to serious medical complications for wheelchair users who rely on their equipment for daily living. Additionally, the out-of-pocket costs place a financial burden on persons who may already be income limited. This measure provides consumers with the right to access the resources they need to repair their own wheelchairs or work with independent repair providers, cutting down on unnecessary wait times and costs while improving mobility for many wheelchair users.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Explicitly stating that the term "wheelchair" includes manual wheelchairs and power wheelchairs;

(2) Protecting manufacturers from liability for faulty repairs made by independent repair providers or owners;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2000, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2000, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair