WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 996

RELATING TO ABOLITION OF JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY FOR GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN HIGHWAY-RELATED CIVIL ACTIONS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

Bill HB 996 limits government entities' liability in highway-related lawsuits, requiring them to pay only their share of damages, impacting plaintiffs' recovery options.

The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
#governmententities #highway-relatedcivilactions #jointandseveralliability #repeal
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 996

Summary of Bill HB 996

Title

Relating to Abolition of Joint and Several Liability for Government Entities in Highway-Related Civil Actions

Purpose and Intent

Bill HB 996 aims to eliminate the principle of joint and several liability for government entities involved in highway-related civil actions. This legal doctrine currently allows a plaintiff to recover the full amount of damages from any one of several defendants, regardless of their individual share of the liability. By abolishing this principle for government entities, the bill seeks to limit the financial exposure of these entities in civil lawsuits related to highway incidents.

Key Provisions

  • Abolition of Joint and Several Liability: The bill proposes to repeal the existing joint and several liability framework specifically for government entities in cases involving highway-related civil actions.
  • Impact on Liability: Under the new provisions, if multiple parties are found liable for damages, a government entity would only be responsible for its proportionate share of the damages, rather than the total amount claimed by the plaintiff.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Government Entities: Local, state, and federal government bodies involved in highway maintenance and operations would benefit from reduced liability exposure.
  • Plaintiffs: Individuals or groups filing civil actions related to highway incidents may find it more challenging to recover full damages if a government entity is involved, as they would only be able to claim the proportionate share of liability.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • First Reading: The bill was introduced and passed its first reading on January 23, 2025.
  • Committee Referral: It was referred to the Transportation (TRN) and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) committees on January 23, 2025.
  • Scheduled Hearing: The bill was scheduled for a hearing by the TRN committee on February 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM via videoconference.
  • Current Status: As of February 4, 2025, the TRN committee has recommended that the measure be deferred, indicating that further consideration or discussion may be needed before any action is taken.

Related Legislation

  • Companion Bill: SB 1315 serves as a companion bill to HB 996, suggesting that similar legislative efforts are being pursued in the Senate.

This summary provides an overview of Bill HB 996, highlighting its intent to modify liability laws affecting government entities in highway-related civil actions and the implications for both plaintiffs and government bodies.

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

Sign in to ask a question.