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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 2366 (106th)

Small Business Liability Reform Act of 2000

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

25 June 1999

Last action

28 March 2000 · Calendars

Status

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.

Sponsors

Rep. Rogan, James E. [R-CA-27], Rep. Holden, Tim [D-PA-17], Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC], Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8], Rep. Nussle, Jim [R-IA-2], Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6], Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50], Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC], Rep. Lewis, Jerry [R-CA-41], Rep. Weldon, Dave [R-FL-15], Rep. Ryun, Jim [R-KS-2], Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16], Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO], Rep. Hill, Rick [R-MT-At Large], Rep. Pryce, Deborah [R-OH-15], Rep. Hobson, David L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [R-VA-5], Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8], Rep. Cannon, Chris [R-UT-3], Rep. Condit, Gary A. [D-CA-18], Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA], Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21], Rep. Combest, Larry [R-TX-19], Rep. Northup, Anne M. [R-KY-3], Rep. Watkins, Wes [R-OK-3], Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3], Rep. Davis, Tom [R-VA-11], Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Rep. Tancredo, Thomas G. [R-CO-6], Rep. Watts, J. C., Jr. [R-OK-4], Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9], Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]

Subjects

Environment

Source updated

7 April 2025

Environment

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Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Small Business Lawsuit Abuse Protection Title II: Product Seller Fair Treatment Small Business Liability Reform Act of 1999 - Title I: Small Business Lawsuit Abuse Protection - Allows punitive damages to be awarded against a small business only if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that conduct carried out by the defendant through willful misconduct or with a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others was the proximate cause of the harm that is the subject of the action. Limits such punitive damages to the lesser of two times the amount awarded for economic and noneconomic losses, or $250,000. (Sec. 104) States that, in any civil action against a small business: (1) each defendant shall be liable only for the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility of that defendant for the harm caused to the plaintiff; and (2) the court shall render a separate judgment against each defendant describing such percentage of responsibility. (Sec. 105) Excepts from such liability limitations any misconduct of a defendant: (1) that constitutes a crime of violence, international terrorism, or a hate crime; (2) that results in liability for damages under specified provisions of the Oil Pollution Control Act of 1990 or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; (3) that involves a sexual offense or violation of a Federal or State civil rights law; or (4) caused by being under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or a drug. (Sec. 106) Preempts inconsistent State law. Title II: Product Seller Fair Treatment - States that this title governs any product liability action brought in any Federal or State court. Excludes from this title actions for commercial loss, negligent entrustment, negligence per se concerning firearms and ammunition, and actions brought under a dram-shop or third-party liability arising out of the sale or provision of alcohol to an intoxicated person or a minor. (Sec. 204) Mandates that, in any product liability action covered by this Act, a product seller other than a manufacturer shall be liable to a claimant only if such claimant establishes that: (1) the product that caused the harm was sold, rented, or leased by the seller, the seller failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product, and such failure was the proximate cause of harm to the plaintiff; (2) the seller made an express warranty applicable to such product, the product failed to conform to the warranty, and such failure caused the harm to the plaintiff; or (3) the product seller engaged in intentional wrongdoing (as determined under applicable State law), and such wrongdoing caused the harm to the plaintiff. States that a seller shall not be considered to have failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to a product based upon a failure to inspect if: (1) there was no reasonable opportunity to inspect; or (2) such inspection would not have revealed the aspect of the product that allegedly caused the claimant's harm. Allows a seller to be liable as a manufacturer if: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to appropriate service of process; or (2) the court determines that the claimant is or would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Provides limited liability for persons engaged in the business of renting or leasing a product.

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

Timeline

  1. 25 June 1999

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 25 June 1999

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 25 June 1999

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1411)

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 25 June 1999

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 25 June 1999

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  6. 13 July 1999

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

    Source: Committee

  7. 29 September 1999

    Committee

    Committee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 19 October 1999

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 2 November 1999

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  10. 1 February 2000

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  11. 1 February 2000

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  12. 7 February 2000

    Introduced

    House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Feb. 14, 2000.

    Source: IntroReferral

  13. 7 February 2000

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 106-494, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  14. 7 February 2000

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 106-494, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  15. 14 February 2000

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 278.

    Source: Calendars

  16. 14 February 2000

    Discharge

    Committee on Commerce discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  17. 14 February 2000

    Committee

    Committee on Commerce discharged.

    Source: Committee

  18. 15 February 2000

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 423 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2366 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

    Source: Floor

  19. 16 February 2000

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  20. 16 February 2000

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 221 - 193 (Roll no. 25).

    Source: Floor

  21. 16 February 2000

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  22. 16 February 2000

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 221 - 193 (Roll no. 25).

    Source: Floor

  23. 16 February 2000

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR H474-476)

    Source: Floor

  24. 16 February 2000

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  25. 16 February 2000

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2366.

    Source: Floor

  26. 16 February 2000

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2366 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

    Source: Floor

  27. 16 February 2000

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 423 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  28. 16 February 2000

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 423. (consideration: CR H463-485)

    Source: Floor

  29. 16 February 2000

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 423 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  30. 22 February 2000

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate.

    Source: IntroReferral

  31. 27 March 2000

    Calendars

    Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

    Source: Calendars

  32. 28 March 2000

    Calendars

    Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.

    Source: Calendars

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

13 official files

Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 28 March 2000

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 28 March 2000

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 16 February 2000

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 16 February 2000

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 16 February 2000

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  • Committee Discharged House (text)

    Committee Discharged House · EN · 14 February 2000

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  • Committee Discharged House (PDF)

    Committee Discharged House · EN · 14 February 2000

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 7 February 2000

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 7 February 2000

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  • Reported to House amended, Part I

    summary · EN · 7 February 2000

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 25 June 1999

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 25 June 1999

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 25 June 1999

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Sources

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