PROHIBIT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM SUING MANUFACTURERS OF LEGAL PRODUCTS

House Bill 4275

Sponsor: Rep. James Koetje

Committee: Civil Law and the Judiciary

Complete to 4-7-01

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4275 AS INTRODUCED 2-15-01

The bill would create a new act to prohibit local units of government (counties, cities, townships, or villages) from filing, prosecuting, or joining (on its own behalf or on behalf of its citizens or another class of persons) a civil action for damages or other remedy against a person for the production of a legal product. The bill would not apply to an action related to a product bought and used by the political subdivision that was based on a breach of contract or warranty. The bill would define "person" to mean "an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity," "political subdivision" to mean a county, city, township, or village, and "production" to mean "manufacture, construction, design, formulation, development of standards, preparation, processing, assembly, inspection, testing, listing, certifying, warning, instructing, marketing, selling, advertising, packaging, or labeling."

Analyst: S. Ekstrom

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.