SCS HB 1880 -- MOTOR VEHICLES
(Vetoed by the Governor)

This bill extends from 20 to 30 days the period of time during
which a temporary permit or paper license plate is valid after
the purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer from a dealer.  This
provision is effective January 1, 1999.

The bill also provides for immunity from civil liability for
damages resulting from an air bag switch being in the "on" or
"off" position.  The provisions cover a person who is driving a
vehicle with an air bag switch or who has installed, exercising
the highest degree of care, an air bag switch after receiving
written approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration; the owner of a vehicle with a nondefective,
factory-installed air bag switch; or a motor vehicle dealer or
repair shop that installs, exercising ordinary care, an air bag
switch or sells a vehicle with an air bag switch.

HB 1880 -- AIR BAGS (Hickey)

This bill provides for immunity from civil liability for damages
resulting because an air bag switch was in the "on" or "off"
position.  The bill's provisions cover a person who is driving
or has installed an air bag switch after receiving written
approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, an owner of a vehicle with a factory installed
air bag switch, or a motor vehicle dealer or repair shop that
installs an air bag switch or sells a vehicle with an air bag
switch.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1880 -- AIR BAGS

SPONSOR:  Hickey

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Consumer Protection by a vote of 17 to 0.

This bill provides for immunity from civil liability for damages
resulting because an air bag switch was in the "on" or "off"
position.  The bill's provisions cover a person who is driving
or has installed an air bag switch after receiving written
approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, an owner of a vehicle with a factory installed
air bag switch, or a motor vehicle dealer or repair shop that
installs an air bag switch or sells a vehicle with an air bag
switch.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will allow dealers or
repair shops to install a switch for the air-bag without fear of
civil liability.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Hickey.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

HB 1880 -- Civil Liability for Air Bag Switches

Sponsor:  Hickey

This bill provides for immunity from civil liability for damages
resulting because an air bag switch was in the "on" or "off"
position.  The bill's provisions cover a person who is driving
or has installed an air bag switch after receiving written
approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, an owner of a vehicle with a factory installed
air bag switch, or a motor vehicle dealer or repair shop that
installs an air bag switch or sells a vehicle with an air bag
switch.