Minnesota Session Laws - 2014, Regular Session

CHAPTER 257--H.F.No. 2090

An act

relating to civil actions; prohibiting certain indemnification agreements;

proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 604.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [604.21] INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS IN DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS VOID. new text end

new text begin (a) A provision contained in, or executed in connection with, a design professional services contract is void and unenforceable to the extent it attempts to require an indemnitor to indemnify, to hold harmless, or to defend an indemnitee from or against liability for loss or damage resulting from the negligence or fault of anyone other than the indemnitor or others for whom the indemnitor is legally liable. new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "design professional services contract" means a contract under which some portion of the work or services is to be performed or supervised by a person licensed under section 326.02, and is furnished in connection with any actual or proposed maintenance of or improvement to real property, highways, roads, or bridges. new text end

new text begin (c) This section does not apply to the extent that the obligation to indemnify, to hold harmless, or to defend an indemnitee is able to be covered by insurance. new text end

new text begin (d) This section does not apply to agreements referred to in section 337.03 or 337.04. new text end

new text begin (e) A provision contained in, or executed in connection with, a design professional services contract for any actual or proposed maintenance of, or improvement to, real property, highways, roads, or bridges located in Minnesota that makes the contract subject to the laws of another state or requires that any litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution process on the contract occur in another state is void and unenforceable. new text end

new text begin (f) This section supersedes any other inconsistent provision of law. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2014, and applies to contracts or agreements entered into on or after that date. new text end

Presented to the governor May 13, 2014

Signed by the governor May 16, 2014, 10:42 a.m.