The proposed bill establishes the crime of airbag fraud in Alaska, defining it as the act of knowingly selling, importing, or installing noncompliant, counterfeit, or nonfunctioning airbags, as well as selling vehicles equipped with such airbags. Specifically, it outlines various actions that constitute airbag fraud, including the manufacture of counterfeit airbags and the intentional sale of vehicles with defective airbags. The bill also clarifies that certain individuals, such as those working in law enforcement or vehicle dealerships who are unaware of the airbag's condition, are exempt from liability under this law.

Airbag fraud is classified as a class A misdemeanor, escalating to a class C felony if the fraudulent actions result in death or serious physical injury. The bill includes definitions for key terms such as "airbag," "counterfeit," "nonfunctioning," and "recalled," ensuring clarity in enforcement. Additionally, it specifies that the new law does not impose a duty on vehicle owners or dealership employees to inspect airbags prior to sale, nor does it preclude civil liability for parties involved.

Statutes affected:
SB0017A, AM SB 17, introduced 01/10/2025: