Briefs: legislation, repairs and alert systems

In Iowa, in 2023, legislation was introduced that limited compensation for emotional damages to $5 million dollars. Although non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are limited, economic damages, such as lost wages or medical expenses, have no limit. Punitive damages, if awarded, are also not limited. OOIDA supported this legislation.

However, the Senate is considering a bill, SF2224, by Senator Molly Donahue, that would reverse the changes made the previous year regarding civil liability in cases involving large trucks. The bill would remove the state’s superior employer law and make employers liable for the negligence of their employees. It would also remove the $5 million dollar limit on non-economic damages set the previous year.

OOIDA criticizes the legislation as an attempt to benefit plaintiffs at the expense of trucking employers. It warns that repealing the negligent hiring liability standard would make defending truck cases in Iowa more difficult and expensive.

Oregon: electric charging station repair

As part of the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program, Oregon will receive a $10 million dollar grant to improve and repair electric vehicle charging stations. This fund will benefit 135 public electric vehicle charging stations in the state, allowing for repairs, upgrades, and the installation of more fast-charging ports. The distribution of these federal funds will be overseen by ODOT’s Climate Office, which will collaborate with private station owners to execute the improvement projects. According to ODOT, repair and improvement projects will begin in late 2024.