Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-1787
Sponsor: Rep. Castle, Michael N. [R-DE-At Large]
Introduced: 2003-04-11 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Damages
Emergency Management
Equipment and supplies
Federal preemption
Fire departments
Good samaritan laws
Government Operations and Politics
Liability (Law)
Negligence
Rescue work
Social Welfare
State laws
Surplus government property
Torts
Transportation and Public Works
Trucks
Volunteer workers

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2003 - States that a person (including a governmental or other entity) who donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company shall not be liable for State or Federal civil damages for personal injuries, property damage or loss, or death proximately caused by the equipment after the donation.
Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's act or omission causing the injury, damage, loss, or death constitutes gross negligence, or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person is the manufacturer of such equipment.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: 
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004 - States that a person (including a governmental or other entity) who donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company shall not be liable for State or Federal civil damages for personal injuries, property damage or loss, or death proximately caused by the equipment after the donation.
 
Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's act or omission causing the injury, damage, loss, or death constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person is the manufacturer of such equipment. 
Preempts State law that is inconsistent with this Act, except where such law provides additional liability protection. 
Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a State-by-State review of such donations during the five years before this Act's enactment; and (2) report the results to Congress, including an assessment for each State of the most effective way to fund firefighter companies, whether first responder funding is sufficient to respond to the Nation's needs, and the best method to ensure that donated equipment is in usable condition.
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 13, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004 - States that a person (including a governmental or other entity) who donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company shall not be liable for State or Federal civil damages for personal injuries, property damage or loss, or death proximately caused by the equipment after the donation.
 
Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's act or omission causing the injury, damage, loss, or death constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person is the manufacturer of such equipment. 
Preempts State law that is inconsistent with this Act, except where such law provides additional liability protection. 
Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a State-by-State review of such donations during the five years before this Act's enactment; and (2) report the results to Congress, including an assessment for each State of the most effective way to fund firefighter companies, whether first responder funding is sufficient to respond to the Nation's needs, and the best method to ensure that donated equipment is in usable condition.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 748.
action_date: 2004-09-28
text: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2004-09-15
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 3 (Roll no. 446). (text: CR H7090)
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 3 (Roll no. 446).(text: CR H7090)
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7097-7098)
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1787.
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7090-7092)
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 419.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-680.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-680.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2003-04-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E771)
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: Introduced in House