WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SF 5281

Import, manufacture, or sale limitation of certain table saws

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Latz

The bill requires table saws sold in Minnesota to meet a specific safety standard limiting maximum blade exposure to 3.5 mm under defined test conditions, with enforcement and a 20

Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection
#commerceandcommercedepartment #consumerprotection
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 5281

Summary of SF 5281 (2025-2026) – Import, Manufacture, or Sale Limitation of Certain Table Saws

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to protect consumers by regulating the import, manufacture, and sale of certain table saws to ensure safety standards are met.
  • It adds a new statute to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325E, establishing explicit safety requirements for table saws and providing enforcement mechanisms.

Key provisions and changes

  • New law citation

    • Establishes a new section: 325E.0685, titled “TABLE SAWS; SAFETY REQUIREMENT.”

  • Definitions (Section 325E.0685, Subd. 1)

    • Entity: Any corporation, LLC, partnership, or other organization authorized to transact business in Minnesota. Excludes state or local government units.
    • Table saw: A motor-driven circular saw blade protruding through a table surface, powered by standard AC power. Includes bench, job site, contractor, hybrid, cabinet, or sliding saws.
    • Test probe: A device that measures the depth of a cut; explicitly excludes fingers and other human body parts.

  • Safety standard (Subd. 2)

    • Prohibition: An entity must not import, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale a table saw if it knows or has reason to know the product does not meet the safety requirements. Safety requirement specifics (for the test probe to measure depth):
    • The maximum depth a table saw is capable of cutting with a test probe must not exceed 3.5 millimeters when:
    • The saw is powered on.
    • The center axis of the test probe is moving parallel to, with a tolerance of 13 to 17 millimeters above the tabletop, at a rate of one meter per second.
    • The test probe contacts the spinning blade set at maximum height.
    • These criteria define a quantitative safety threshold relating to kickback or dangerous blade exposure, using a test probe rather than a human finger.

  • Exception (Subd. 3)

    • An entity is not in violation if it is unable to obtain, on fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory terms, a license under a patent required to comply with Subdivision 2.

  • Enforcement (Subd. 4)

    • Violations may be subject to penalties and remedies, including a private right of action to recover damages, as provided in Minnesota Statutes section 8.31.

  • Effective date

    • The new safety requirement takes effect January 1, 2027.

Who would be affected

  • Entities that import, manufacture, or sell table saws in Minnesota (excluding government units) would need to ensure their products meet the specified safety standard or face penalties.
  • Manufacturers and distributors would need to assess patent licensing issues if compliance requires patented technology, potentially triggering the exception pathway if licensing is not available on reasonable terms.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced May 12, 2026; referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee.
  • Effective date: Fact sheet and text indicate the safety standard becomes effective on January 1, 2027.
  • Enforcement: Includes potential private right of action for damages, alongside other penalties/remedies.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Could drive redesigns or additional safety features in table saws to meet the 3.5 mm test-probe depth threshold under specified test conditions.
  • May affect product labeling, import/export compliance, and patent licensing strategies for table saw manufacturers.
  • The statute includes a private enforcement pathway, which could influence litigation risk for noncompliant entities.

This summary highlights the bill’s core goal: to impose a measurable safety standard for table saws sold in Minnesota and to provide enforcement mechanisms, with a notable 2027 compliance timeline.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.