AMEND PISTOL AND APPROVED SIGNALING DEVICE DEFINITIONS IN REVISED JUDICATURE ACT

House Bill 5037

Sponsor:  Rep. Douglas Geiss

Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Complete to 6-8-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5037 AS INTRODUCED 6-3-09

House Bill 5037 would amend Section 2951 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 (MCL 600.2951) in the following ways, effective January 1, 2010:

·                    Revise the federal law references contained in the definition of the term "approved signaling device" (a pistol approved by the Coast Guard for use as a signaling device under specified federal regulations).

·                    Slightly revise the wording of the subsection that imposes strict liability for an injury or property damage caused by an approved signaling device if the person using the device did not have a reasonable belief that its use is necessary for the safety of persons on water or in an aircraft emergency situation.  (The words "emergency situation" would be removed.)

·                    Revise the maximum length of a firearm, loaded or unloaded, classified as a "pistol" in this act from one that that is 30 or fewer inches long to one that is 26 or fewer inches long.  (As in current law, a "pistol" would also include a firearm that does not look like a firearm because of its construction and appearance.)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or on local governmental units.  

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jan Wisniewski

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.