Arizona 2022 2022 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SB1092 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 02/28/2022

                      	SB 1092 
Initials LC/JH 	Page 1 	Judiciary 
 
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Fifty-fifth Legislature 
Second Regular Session 
Senate: JUD DP 5-2-1-0 | 3
rd
 Read 17-12-1-0 
 
SB 1092: product liability; civil action; limitation 
Sponsor: Senator Leach, LD 11 
Committee on Judiciary 
Overview 
Modifies statute relating to product liability causes of action that involve sellers who are not also 
the manufacturer of the product at issue.  
History 
Product liability actions can be brought against manufacturers and other parties following an 
individual's injury or death caused by a defective product. A seller may be held liable under the 
following circumstances: 
1) The seller knew that the product was defective; or  
2) The seller altered the product, and that altercation caused the defect or incident (A.R.S. § 
12-684). 
An individual seeking to file a cause of action must do so within 12 years of the product being first 
sold, unless the action is based on manufacturer negligence or the breach of an express warranty 
provided by a manufacturer or seller (A.R.S. § 12-551). 
Provisions 
1. Allows product liability actions to be filed against a seller who is not also the manufacturer of 
the product if at least one of the following apply: 
a) The seller had actual knowledge of the product's defect; 
b) The seller altered the product in a manner that caused the incident or defect; 
c) The seller provided plans for the manufacture of the product, provided the plans were a 
substantial cause of the defect; 
d) The seller resold the product and had actual knowledge that the product's condition was 
substantially different than when it left the manufacturer's possession; 
e) The seller did not exercise reasonable care in assembling or maintaining the product or 
conveying warning or instructions to the consumer which led to the incident or defect; or  
f) The seller, independent of the manufacturer, made an express warranty regarding the 
product if the product failed to conform to the standard described in the seller's warranty. 
(Sec. 1)  
2. Specifies in product liability actions involving sellers who are not the manufacturers, if the 
manufacturer refuses to accept a tender of defense from the seller, the manufacturer must 
reimburse the seller for reasonable attorney fees and other costs incurred. (Sec. 1)  
3. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1) 
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note