HB330 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Victor GastonApril WeaverRichard BaughnDan WilliamsJack WilliamsTerri CollinsJoe FaustDickie DrakeMack N. ButlerJohn MerrillKen JohnsonMicky HammonRandy WoodJamie IsonChad FincherMary Sue McClurkinJay LoveJim BartonSteve ClouseAlan HarperMike HubbardJames E. BuskeyNapoleon BracyBarry MaskAlan BakerDonnie ChesteenMac McCutcheonLynn GreerElaine BeechDavid SessionsJim PattersonWilliam RobertsRandy DavisMike JonesSteve McMillanK.L. BrownPaul W. LeeMike HillEd HenryHarry Shiver

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Aircraft, manufacturers of commercial aircraft or aircraft parts, statute of limitations, statute of repose, forum non conveniens provided in civil liability actions, allocation of fault, Alabama Commercial Aviation Business Improvement Act of 2013

Summary

HB330 creates a new liability framework for lawsuits against manufacturers of large commercial aircraft (100+ seats), introducing fixed time limits, forum rules, and fault-sharing provisions in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would apply to liability lawsuits against FAA-certified commercial aircraft manufacturers and their parts. It sets a two-year statute of limitations and a 10-year statute of repose from delivery or component replacement, with a savings clause and specific accrual rules; there are exceptions allowing some actions to proceed beyond the 10-year period. It adopts Alabama's forum non conveniens rules with special respect for Alabama residents’ forum choices and provides an immediate right to appeal a denial of such a motion. It preserves joint and several liability among liable defendants and introduces a mechanism to allocate fault among defendants, including potential nonparties, while allowing contribution and settlement rules. The act also enables out-of-state accident claims to be filed in Alabama courts and outlines procedures for applying the forum non conveniens doctrine to those cases, including possible dismissal and conditions for re-filing in a more appropriate forum.

Who It Affects

• Manufacturers of commercial aviation aircraft (100+ seats) and their component parts: subject to new time limits (2-year suit limit, 10-year repose) and forum/contribution rules; potential exposure is limited after the repose period with specific exceptions.
• Individuals or entities with claims from accidents involving such aircraft (injured or deceased individuals or property owners): may file within two years of accrual, with special rules for accrual during the repose period and potential cross-state filings into Alabama courts; subject to forum non conveniens considerations and joint/fault allocation.

Key Provisions

• Two-year statute of limitations and a 10-year statute of repose for all actions arising from accidents involving FAA-certified commercial aircraft (100+ seats) and their parts, with a savings clause and specific accrual rules.
• Accrual and repose interaction: causes accruing during the repose period may be filed within two years of accrual (potentially up to 12 years after delivery or replacement).
• Forum non conveniens: Alabama rules apply, with deference to the forum choice of Alabama residents; right to immediate appeal of denial of a motion to dismiss under forum non conveniens.
• Right to contribution among joint tortfeasors and preservation of joint and several recovery for plaintiffs; provisions for severability and prospective application.
• Cross-state/out-of-state claims: claims arising from accidents outside Alabama may be filed in Alabama courts; courts apply forum non conveniens to determine jurisdiction; dismissal allowed to a more appropriate forum with conditions; immediate appellate right on denial of dismissal.
• Definitions: clarifies terms such as ACCIDENT, AIRCRAFT, COMMERCIAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT, MANUFACTURER, REPOSE, TYPE CERTIFICATE, and related concepts.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Aircraft