H.B. 395

1

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS AMENDMENTS
2 2010 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Michael E. Noel
5 Senate Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill limits the liability of persons or businesses for damage or injury caused by
10 greenhouse gas emissions.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . limits the liability of a person or business for damage or injury caused by
14 greenhouse gas emissions, unless the emissions violated:
15 . a statutory limitation; or
16 . a valid operating, air, or other permit; and
17 . requires that the party bringing an action prove that irrefutable, unavoidable, and
18 identifiable damage has or will result from the violation.
19 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 ENACTS:
25 78B-4-515, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 Section 1. Section 78B-4-515 is enacted to read:
29 78B-4-515. Limitation on liability for greenhouse gases.
30 (1) "Greenhouse gas" means water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
31 ozone, and chlorofluorocarbons.
32 (2) A person residing or doing business in this state may not be held liable for damage
33 or injury to another arising out of any actual or potential effect on climate caused by
34 contributions to emissions of greenhouse gases unless it can be proved by clear and convincing
35 evidence that the person has:
36 (a) violated an enforceable statutory limitation or restriction against emissions of a
37 specific greenhouse gas originating within this state; or
38 (b) violated the express terms of a valid, enforceable operating, air, or other permit
39 issued by a state or federal regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the greenhouse gas
40 emissions of the person or business.
41 (3) The person bringing the action shall:
42 (a) specify each greenhouse gas emitted by the defendant which is asserted to give rise
43 to the cause of action; and
44 (b) show that irrefutable, unavoidable, and identifiable damage or injury has or will
45 result as a direct cause of the defendant's violation of statutory and permitting limits.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-19-10 4:46 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel