Rising with reservations with regard to
HB 1111 H.D.2 S.D.2 C.D.1
Conference Comm. Rep. No. 150
O.D. Page No. 8 (draft)
(final)
Mr. Speaker, I rise with reservations regarding HB 1111, HD2 SD2 CD1, relating to Year 2000 Errors in Computer-based systems.
This bill provides civil liability protection for persons who exercise reasonable efforts to identify and solve Y2K problems. While this sounds fair, remember that this protection is not as generous as that we gave the State. The State is liable for Y2K damages only if there is gross negligence. I am concerned that we are setting a double standard - one for the state and one for everyone else. I have trouble understanding why the State should be held to a lower standard than everyone else.
My second reservation is that passing this act creates the impression we are facing some huge disaster on January 1, 2000. This is simply not true. At most, there will be some minor glitches. The free world as we know it is not going to end. Immunizing the state or private parties from liability reinforces the opinions of those who think we are facing a disaster. My remarks today are intended to rebut those claims and assure the public that we are not facing disaster.