Bill Text: MI SB0663 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Torts; product liability; liability of vehicle manufacturer or upfitter for damages resulting from modifications made by a third party to convert the vehicle to an automated vehicle; limit under certain circumstances. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 2949b. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0169'13
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-12-31 - Assigned Pa 0251'13 With Immediate Effect [SB0663 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-SB0663-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL No. 663
November 6, 2013, Introduced by Senator KOWALL and referred to the Committee on Economic Development.
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled
"Revised judicature act of 1961,"
(MCL 600.101 to 600.9947) by adding section 2949b.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 2949b. (1) The manufacturer of a vehicle is not liable in
a product liability action for damages resulting from any of the
following unless the defect from which the damages resulted was
present in the vehicle when it was manufactured:
(a) The conversion or attempted conversion of the vehicle into
an automated motor vehicle by another person.
(b) The installation of equipment in the vehicle by another
person to convert it into an automated motor vehicle.
(c) The modification by another person of equipment that was
installed by the manufacturer in an automated motor vehicle
specifically for using the vehicle in automatic mode.
(2) A subcomponent system producer recognized as described in
section 244 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.244,
is not liable in a product liability action for damages resulting
from the modification of equipment installed by the subcomponent
system producer to convert a vehicle to an automated motor vehicle
unless the defect from which the damages resulted was present in
the equipment when it was installed by the subcomponent system
producer.
(3) Sections 2945 to 2949a do not apply in a product liability
action to the extent that they are inconsistent with this section.
(4) As used in this section:
(a) "Automated motor vehicle" means that term as defined in
section 2b of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.2b.
(b) "Automatic mode" means that term as defined in section 2b
of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.2b.
(c) "Vehicle" means that term as defined in section 79 of the
Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.79.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect
unless Senate Bill No. 169 of the 97th Legislature is enacted into
law.
