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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1636 (101st)

Uniform Product Liability Act of 1989

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

23 March 1989

Last action

10 April 1989 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.

Sponsors

Rep. Ritter, Don [R-PA-15], Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6], Rep. Dannemeyer, William E. [R-CA-39], Rep. Nielson, Howard C. [R-UT-3], Rep. Whittaker, Bob [R-KS-5], Rep. Ravenel, Arthur, Jr. [R-SC-1], Rep. McMillan, J. Alex [R-NC-9], Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19], Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6], Rep. Fish, Hamilton, Jr. [R-NY-19], Rep. Campbell, Tom [R-CA-15], Rep. DeLay, Tom [R-TX-22], Rep. Hiler, John Patrick [R-IN-3], Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6], Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24], Rep. Buechner, Jack [R-MO-2], Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK], Rep. Bartlett, Steve [R-TX-3], Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14], Rep. Paxon, Bill [R-NY-27], Rep. Livingston, Bob [R-LA-1], Rep. Lewis, Jerry [R-CA-41], Rep. Walker, Robert S. [R-PA-16], Rep. Lent, Norman F. [R-NY-4]

Subjects

Rule of law, Aviation

Source updated

26 August 2025

Rule of law · Aviation

Summary

Uniform Product Liability Act of 1989 - Governs any product liability action brought in either State or Federal court against a manufacturer or product seller for personal injury, property damage, or commercial loss, superseding State law whenever this Act establishes a rule of law applicable to recovery for the harm in question. Describes the scope of preemption. Authorizes States to develop or implement alternative procedures, standards, or systems not inconsistent with this Act. Denies manufacturer liability for harm caused by an unreasonable or unforeseeable use or alteration of a product or by a danger known to be inherent to the product and incapable of mitigation. Describes conditions under which a manufacturer will not be held liable for harm caused by product design or failure to warn. Describes conditions governing product seller liability, holding a seller liable only if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the seller's failure to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product was the proximate cause of the harm in question; or (2) the harm was caused by the product's failure to conform to the seller's express warranty. Describes: (1) defenses applicable in product liability cases; (2) the respective liability of codefendants; and (3) standards and limitations to govern awards of punitive damages. Imposes a two-year statute of limitations with respect to product liability actions, with longer periods applicable in cases involving capital goods and aviation accidents. Prescribes coordination requirements in connection with product liability actions that also involve workers' compensation awards. Directs any court in which a product liability action is brought to give the parties the opportunity to engage in nonbinding arbitration with respect to the claim in question. Describes conditions to govern such arbitration.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 23 March 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 23 March 1989

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 23 March 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 30 March 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic and Commercial Law.

    Source: Committee

  5. 10 April 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

2 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 23 March 1989

    Open at official source

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    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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