A bill to regulate interstate commerce by providing for a uniform product liability law, and for other purposes.
Product Liability Fairness Act - Declares that this Act applies to any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm caused by a product. Excludes actions brought for loss or damage to a product or for commercial loss. States that: (1) this Act supersedes any State law only to the extent that this Act establishes an applicable rule of law; and (2) the provisions of title I shall not supersede or preempt any applicable State or Federal law.
Title I: Expedited Judgments and Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures - Sets forth expedited settlement procedures, including: (1) the option of allowing either the claimant or the defendant to offer a judgment for a specific dollar amount as complete satisfaction of the claim; and (2) alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures. Establishes penalties for: (1) parties who refused an offer and did worse at trial; and (2) a defendant who refuses ADR and then loses at trial.
Title II: Standards for Civil Actions - States that a person seeking to recover for harm caused by a product may bring a civil action against the product's manufacturer or product seller pursuant to applicable State or Federal law, except to the extent such law is inconsistent with this Act.
Sets forth uniform standards for: (1) product seller liability; (2) the award of punitive damages; and (3) time limitations on liability. Bars punitive damages if the requirements of specified Federal laws have been met.
Entitles an employer or workers' compensation insurer to the right of subrogation against a manufacturer or product seller to recover workers' compensation for harm caused to an employee by a product if a civil suit has been brought under this Act.
Provides that each defendant shall only be liable for the amount of noneconomic loss proportionally caused.
Provides a complete defense, in any civil action in which all defendants are manufacturers or product sellers, in cases where the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was more than 50 percent responsible for the harm.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Subcommittee on Consumer. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-490.
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings without amendment. With written report No. 103-203. Minority views filed.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings without amendment. With written report No. 103-203. Minority views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 330.
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary by unanimous consent for a period not to extend beyond April 11, 1994.
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-1033.
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged. Pursuant to the order of March 1, 1994.
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged. Pursuant to the order of March 1, 1994.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 409.
checking server…
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7632)
Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S7632)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7671-7698)
Second cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S7698)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7723-7744, S7746-7776)
First cloture motion not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54-44. Record Vote No: 169. (consideration: CR S7769-7770)
Roll Call #169 (Senate)Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7837-7839, S7842-7855)
Second cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57-41. Record Vote No: 170. (consideration: CR S7855)
Roll Call #170 (Senate)Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 409.