Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks into the House Journal
March 10, 2009; 26th Day
Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 708 – H.B. 1316, H.D. 2, Relating to Torts.
I rise in support of House Bill 1316, House Draft 2, Relating to Torts. In cases involving tort claims relating to the maintenance and design of public highways, design professionals and public utility companies are sometimes left with liability beyond their percentage of negligence because of our current joint and severability law. This measure will help our local companies but still protect our public by abolishing joint and several liability for design professionals and public utilities in tort claims relating to the maintenance and design of public highways, except when a design professional’s or public utility’s degree of negligence is 25% or more. Thank you.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 