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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 131--S.F.No. 1183

An act

relating to civil law; restoring state and local government tort liability limits to pre-2008 levels in certain instances; prohibiting state and local government contracts that require contractors to provide liability insurance or other security in excess of those limits;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 3.736, subdivision 4; 466.04, subdivisions 1, 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 3.736, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Limits.

The total liability of the state and its employees acting within the scope of their employment on any tort claim shall not exceed:

(a) $300,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $300,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising before August 1, 2007;

(b) $400,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $400,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after August 1, 2007, and before July 1, 2009;

(c) $500,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $500,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009;

(d) $750,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after January 1, 1998, and before January 1, 2000;

(e) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after January 1, 2000, and before January 1, 2008;

(f) $1,200,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(g) $1,500,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (h) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, if the claim involves a nonprofit organization engaged in or administering outdoor recreational activities funded in whole or in part by the state or operating under the authorization of a permit issued by an agency or department of the statenew text end .

If the amount awarded to or settled upon multiple claimants exceeds the applicable limit under clause (d), (e), (f), deleted text begin ordeleted text end (g), new text begin or (h), new text end any party may apply to the district court to apportion to each claimant a proper share of the amount available under the applicable limit under clause (d), (e), (f), or (g). The share apportioned to each claimant shall be in the proportion that the ratio of the award or settlement bears to the aggregate awards and settlements for all claims arising out of the occurrence.

The limitation imposed by this subdivision on individual claimants includes damages claimed for loss of services or loss of support arising out of the same tort.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment, and applies to claims arising from acts or omissions that occur on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 466.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Limits; punitive damages.

(a) Liability of any municipality on any claim within the scope of sections 466.01 to 466.15 shall not exceed:

(1) $300,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $300,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising before January 1, 2008;

(2) $400,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $400,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009;

(3) $500,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $500,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009;

(4) $750,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after January 1, 1998, and before January 1, 2000;

(5) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after January 1, 2000, and before January 1, 2008;

(6) $1,200,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009;

(7) $1,500,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(8) twice the limits provided in clauses (1) to (7) when the claim arises out of the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, whether the claim is brought under sections 115B.01 to 115B.15 or under any other lawnew text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (9) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, if the claim involves a nonprofit organization engaged in or administering outdoor recreational activities funded in whole or in part by a municipality or operating under the authorization of a permit issued by a municipalitynew text end .

(b) No award for damages on any such claim shall include punitive damages.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment, and applies to claims arising from acts or omissions that occur on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 466.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Disposition of multiple claims.

Where the amount awarded to or settled upon multiple claimants exceeds the applicable limit under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clauses deleted text begin (2) todeleted text end (4)new text begin to (9)new text end , any party may apply to any district court to apportion to each claimant a proper share of the total amount limited by subdivision 1. The share apportioned each claimant shall be in the proportion that the ratio of the award or settlement made to each bears to the aggregate awards and settlements for all claims arising out of the occurrence.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor March 12, 2012

Signed by the governor March 15, 2012, 10:08 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes