Bill > SB17

This bill establishes a new crime called "airbag fraud" in Alaska, which criminalizes several specific actions related to counterfeit or nonfunctioning airbags. The bill makes it illegal to sell, offer for sale, import, install, or reinstall airbags that do not comply with federal safety regulations or are counterfeit or nonfunctioning, as well as manufacturing such airbags or parts designed to conceal them. It also prohibits selling a vehicle knowingly equipped with such airbags. The legislation defines key terms like "counterfeit" (unauthorized marks mimicking genuine manufacturer marks) and "nonfunctioning" (airbags that are inoperable, damaged, previously deployed, or likely to cause diagnostic system errors). The bill provides some exemptions, such as for police vehicles, dealerships without prior knowledge of faulty airbags, and insurance companies handling vehicle transfers. Violations are classified as a class A misdemeanor, but can be elevated to a class C felony if the fraudulent airbag results in death or serious physical injury. The law aims to protect vehicle safety by discouraging the sale and installation of substandard or dangerous airbag components.