1999-05-12                     House Journal                      Page 1335
HB 123                                                                       
volunteers of nonprofit organizations; exempting individuals who              
provide ski patrol services on a voluntary basis from the                      
requirement for payment of minimum wage and overtime                           
compensation; and providing for an effective date."                            
                                                                               
Chapter No. 19, SLA 1999                                                      
Effective Date:  May 12, 1999                                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
SB 77                                                                        
The following letter, dated May 11, 1999, was received:                        
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 17, of the Alaska Constitution, I am      
allowing the following bill to become law without my signature:                
                                                                               
HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(JUD) am H                              
"An Act prohibiting certain civil actions against firearms or                 
ammunition manufacturers and dealers."                                         
                                                                               
Chapter No. 17, SLA 1999                                                      
¦Effective Date:  August 9, 1999á                                             
                                                                               
This bill is an attempt to shield the manufacturers and sellers of             
firearms or ammunition from potential litigation that the legislature          
apparently views as frivolous.  While this affords that industry a             
protection granted none other, it is doubtful it will have any practical       
effect.  It disallows liability lawsuits based on the lawful sale,             
manufacture, or design of firearms.  But, it explicitly allows lawsuits        
for defective products and leaves open the possibility of suits for            
questionable marketing schemes.  Therefore, this legislation neither           
adds nor detracts from the obligation of gun and ammunition                    
manufacturers to build and market products responsibly.                        
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
						/s/	                                                                  
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"