SF 77: Relating to tort liability in civil actions involving commercial motor vehicles, including employer liability, noneconomic damages, punitive damages, and exemplary damages

What it does

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 January 23, 2025

• Sen. Adrian Dickey (R) · adrian.dickey@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Izaah Knox (D) · izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jason Schultz (R) · jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 1 for, 2 against

For: Dr. Tanja Garrison

Against: Iowa Insurance Associates; Iowa Motor Truck Association

In plain words

1. January 22, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 23, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Dickey, Knox and Schultz