A bill for an act relating to tort liability in civil actions involving commercial motor vehicles, including employer liability, noneconomic damages, punitive damages, and exemplary damages.

This Iowa bill (SF 77) changes rules for lawsuits involving commercial motor vehicle accidents, affecting injured people and companies operating such vehicles. It repeals a $5 million cap on non-financial damages (like pain and suffering) and alters punitive damages: only 25% of these awards go to the injured person, while the rest funds a state civil reparations trust. The trust supports programs for low-income legal aid and insurance assistance. These changes apply specifically to cases involving commercial vehicle operations, removing previous limits on damages and shifting how punitive awards are distributed.