SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5218

As Passed Senate, February 14, 2002

Title:  An act relating to sale, distribution, or installation of air bags.

Brief Description:  Regulating the sale, distribution, and installation of air bags.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Eide, Horn, Haugen, Finkbeiner, McAuliffe, Fairley, Jacobsen, Kohl‑Welles, Costa and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/5/01, 2/20/01 [DPS]; 1/17/02, 1/21/02 [DP2S].

Passed Senate:  2/14/02, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5218 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Kastama, Keiser, McDonald, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Chris Reykdal (786‑7321)

Background:  Concerns have been raised that persons are filling previously deployed air bags with junk materials and reinstalling them.  Upon impact, these air bags either do not deploy or if they do deploy, they do not properly protect the passengers.

Summary of Bill:  Any person who installs, reinstalls, or distributes as an auto part, an air bag that the person knew or should have known was previously deployed is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  When a new air bag or undeployed salvage air bag is installed into a car in which the air bag was deployed, the new or undeployed air bag must conform to the original equipment manufacturer requirements.  In addition, the installer must verify that, with the installation of the new air bag or salvage air bag, the restraint system is operating properly.  A definitions section is added.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.