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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 359 (101st)

Product Liability Uniform Standards Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 January 1989

Last action

27 March 1989 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic and Commercial Law.

Sponsors

Rep. Roth, Toby [R-WI-8]

Subjects

Environment

Source updated

26 August 2025

Environment

Summary

Product Liability Uniform Standards Act - Sets forth uniform national standards for product liability cases. Preempts inconsistent State laws. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall be inapplicable in certain environmental actions. Makes negligence the sole test for all defective design and failure-to-warn product liability actions. Places the burden of proof on the claimant in such cases. Treats the product seller as the manufacturer (for the purposes of such actions) if: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Requires damages to be reduced by the amount of workers' compensation benefits paid. Makes a product manufacturer or seller who acted with reckless disregard for the consumers' safety liable for punitive damages. Lists factors for the trier of fact to consider when determining the amount of punitive damages. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a Product Liability Damages Review Panel to conduct a study of damages in relation to the product liability litigation system. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1990.

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

Timeline

  1. 3 January 1989

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 January 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 January 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 6 February 1989

    Referred

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

    Source: Committee

  5. 27 March 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic and Commercial Law.

    Source: Committee

Votes

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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 · 3 January 1989

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

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

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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