SF 2224: Relating to tort liability in civil actions involving commercial motor vehicles, including employer liability, noneconomic damages, punitive damages, and exemplary damages

What it does

This bill relates to tort liability in actions involving commercial motor vehicles. Under current law, the liability of an employer who is a defendant in a civil action involving a commercial motor vehicle for damages caused by negligence of an employee acting within the scope and course of employment is based on respondeat superior if the employer makes certain stipulations. On motion of an employer, a trial court shall dismiss from the action any claim of the employer’s direct negligence in hiring, training, supervising, or trusting an employee, or other claim of direct negligence on the part of the employer for the employee’s harmful conduct, or other similar claims, if the employer stipulates that at the time of the event that caused the damages that the person whose negligence is the basis of the action was the employer’s employee and the employee was acting within the course and scope of employment with the employer.

Senate subcommittee · named February 7, 2024

• Sen. Dan Zumbach (R) · dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Tony Bisignano (D) · tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 0 for, 5 against

Against: American Council of Engineering Companies; Association & Legislative Resources; Iowa Motor Truck Association; Iowa Water Well Association; Society of Land Surveyors of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 6, 2024Filed in the Senate and sent to the Transportation committee
2. February 7, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Zumbach, Bisignano and Shipley