Georgia House Bill HB275

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/23

Caption

Torts; limit liability relating to employers and insurance providers of commercial vehicle operators based upon history of driving incidents

Impact

The implementation of HB 275 would shift the legal landscape concerning torts related to commercial motor vehicle operators. By restricting the evaluation of a driver’s record to the minimum duration required by federal law, the bill would potentially reduce the burden of liability on employers and insurance companies, thereby encouraging them to hire drivers with less concern over their past driving incidents. This could lead to a more available workforce within the commercial vehicle industry, but it also raises questions about the implications for safety and accountability.

Summary

House Bill 275 seeks to amend the Official Code of Georgia by limiting the liability of employers and insurance providers of commercial motor vehicle operators in relation to the drivers' accident history and driving incidents. The bill specifies that any civil litigation involving an employer or insurance provider will consider driving records only according to federal requirements, which sets parameters for how far back driving history can be traced in these matters. This regulatory change is designed to provide a more standardized approach to liability assessments when accidents occur involving commercial drivers.

Contention

Critics of the bill may argue that limiting access to a more comprehensive driving history could negatively impact public safety. They may contend that a longer review of a driver's past incidents would be beneficial in ensuring those who operate commercial vehicles are held to high standards. Supporters, however, argue that the measure would foster economic growth by providing an incentive for companies to engage more drivers without the fear of excessive liability based on potentially outdated or unrepresentative driving records.