Wyoming bill would require repair access for covered digital equipment

Manufacturers would have to make repair information, software, parts, and tools available. This covers independent repair providers and owners of digital equipment made for the first time and first sold or used in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2026. Materials must be offered on fair and reasonable terms, which limit charges and restrictions on parts, tools, and documentation. The bill lists exceptions, including medical devices, game consoles, motor vehicles, and many kinds of work and energy equipment. This requirement would apply to equipment made for the first time and first sold or used in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2026.

Manufacturers could not use parts pairing or another method to hinder specified repairs or limit access to parts and repair services. This covers digital equipment made for the first time and first sold or used in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2026. The bill lists blocking an otherwise working part, reducing equipment function, giving false or misleading part alerts, charging extra for future repairs, and limiting who can buy parts or make repairs. The bill's listed product exceptions also apply to this restriction. This restriction would apply to equipment made for the first time and first sold or used in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2026.

Manufacturers would have to make materials available to owners to disable and reset certain security locks during repairs. This covers owners of digital equipment with an electronic security lock or other security-related function, made for the first time and first sold or used in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2026. The requirement covers materials needed to disable and reset an electronic security lock or other security-related function while diagnosing, maintaining, or repairing equipment; manufacturers may use secure release systems. Manufacturers would not have to provide materials that bypass an owner's anti-theft measures without the owner's permission, or parts they no longer make or supply to authorized repair providers. This requirement would apply to equipment made for the first time and first sold or used in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2026.

A person who violates the repair requirements would commit an unlawful deceptive trade practice. This applies to any person who violates those repair requirements. This applies to violations of the requirements to make repair materials available, avoid specified parts-pairing practices, and provide materials for certain security locks. The bill would apply starting July 1, 2026.