SB37 makes it a crime to knowingly sell, import, install, or reinstall a replacement airbag that does not comply with federal safety regulations specific to the vehicle’s make, model, and year. Airbag fraud is classified as a class A misdemeanor or a class C felony if it results in death or serious physical injury to another person due to the manufacture, sale, importation, installation, or reinstallation of a replacement airbag.
The Alaska State Senate passed SB37 on May 8, 2023 by a vote of 20 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill infringes on the rights of individuals and businesses by imposing excessive government control over the sale and installation of replacement airbags. States should not hand over sovereignty by adopting federal safety regulations.