SENATE BILL 119

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Carroll H. Leavell

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIERS; INVALIDATING INDEMNITY PROVISIONS IN MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of the Motor Carrier Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] INDEMNITY PROVISIONS IN MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS VOID.--

          A. A provision or agreement contained in, collateral to or affecting a motor carrier transportation contract that requires the motor carrier to indemnify or hold harmless, or that has the effect of indemnifying or holding harmless, the shipper from liability for loss or damage resulting from the negligence or intentional acts or omissions of the shipper, or agents, employees or independent contractors that are directly responsible to the shipper, is against the public policy of this state and is void and unenforceable.

          B. As used in this section, "motor carrier transportation contract":

                (1) means a contract, agreement or understanding covering:

                     (a) the transportation of property for compensation or hire by the motor carrier;

                     (b) the entrance on real property by the motor carrier for the purpose of loading, unloading or transporting property for compensation or hire; or

                     (c) a service incidental to an activity described in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, including storage of property; and

          (2) does not include the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement administered by the intermodal association of North America or other agreements providing for the interchange, use or possession of intermodal chassis or other intermodal equipment."

     Section 2. APPLICABILITY.--The provisions of this act are applicable to motor carrier transportation contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2009.

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