HR 1787
108th Congress
House
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004
Official title: To remove civil liability barriers that discourage the donation of fire equipment to volunteer fire companies.
Law
Charitable contributionsCongressCongressional reporting requirementsDamages
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Emergency ManagementEquipment and suppliesFederal preemptionFire departmentsGood samaritan lawsGovernment Operations and PoliticsLiability (Law)NegligenceRescue workSocial WelfareState lawsSurplus government propertyTortsTransportation and Public WorksTrucksVolunteer workers
Everywhere this bill has been
18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 29, 2004
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 748.
Sep 28, 2004
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Sep 15, 2004
Received in the Senate.
Sep 14, 2004
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 14, 2004
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 3 (Roll no. 446). (text: CR H7090)
Sep 14, 2004
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7097-7098)
Sep 14, 2004
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Sep 14, 2004
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1787.
Sep 14, 2004
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7090-7092)
Sep 14, 2004
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 13, 2004
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 419.
Sep 13, 2004
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-680.
Sep 8, 2004
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 8, 2004
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 20, 2004
Committee Hearings Held.
Apr 12, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E771)
Apr 11, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 11, 2003
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
1
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2004 | House · vote #446 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended | Passed | 397–3 | See who voted → |
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Latest action
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 748.
Plain-English summary
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2003 - States that a person (including a governmental or other entity) who donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company shall not be liable for State or Federal civil damages for personal injuries, property damage or loss, or death proximately caused by the equipment after the donation.
Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's act or omission causing the injury, damage, loss, or death constitutes gross negligence, or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person is the manufacturer of such equipment.
Bill text
4 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF
- Placed on Calendar Senate Formatted Text PDF
- Reported in House Formatted Text PDF
Committees of jurisdiction
1
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1787: Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1787/
"H.R. 1787: Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1787/.
H.R. 1787, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1787/.
[H.R. 1787: Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1787/)