PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 31, 1993
Product Liability Fairness Act - Declares that this Act applies to any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm caused by a product. Excludes actions brought for loss or damage to a product or for commercial loss. States that: (1) this Act supersedes any State law only to the extent that this Act establishes an applicable rule of law; and (2) the provisions of title I shall not supersede or preempt any applicable State or Federal law. Title I: Expedited Judgments and Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures - Sets forth expedited settlement procedures, including: (1) the option of allowing either the claimant or the defendant to offer a judgment for a specific dollar amount as complete satisfaction of the claim; and (2) alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures. Establishes penalties for: (1) parties who refused an offer and did worse at trial; and (2) a defendant who refuses ADR and then loses at trial. Title II: Standards for Civil Actions - States that a person seeking to recover for harm caused by a product may bring a civil action against the product's manufacturer or product seller pursuant to applicable State or Federal law, except to the extent such law is inconsistent with this Act. Sets forth uniform standards for: (1) product seller liability; (2) the award of punitive damages; and (3) time limitations on liability. Bars punitive damages if the requirements of specified Federal laws have been met. Entitles an employer or workers' compensation insurer to the right of subrogation against a manufacturer or product seller to recover workers' compensation for harm caused to an employee by a product if a civil suit has been brought under this Act. Provides that each defendant shall only be liable for the amount of noneconomic loss proportionally caused. Provides a complete defense, in any civil action in which all defendants are manufacturers or product sellers, in cases where the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was more than 50 percent responsible for the harm.
People & committees
Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · D–WV
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 409.
Second cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57-41. Record Vote No: 170. (consideration: CR S7855)
Senate roll call 170 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7837-7839, S7842-7855)
First cloture motion not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54-44. Record Vote No: 169. (consideration: CR S7769-7770)
Senate roll call 169 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7723-7744, S7746-7776)
Second cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S7698)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7671-7698)
Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S7632)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7632)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 409.
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged. Pursuant to the order of March 1, 1994.
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged. Pursuant to the order of March 1, 1994.
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-1033.
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary by unanimous consent for a period not to extend beyond April 11, 1994.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 330.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings without amendment. With written report No. 103-203. Minority views filed.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings without amendment. With written report No. 103-203. Minority views filed.
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Subcommittee on Consumer. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-490.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4145-4147)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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