SF5281

Purpose

The bill sets a new safety standard for table saws in Minnesota. It aims to prevent the import, manufacture, sale, or offering for sale of table saws that don’t meet a specific safety test. The goal is to reduce the risk of dangerous cuts by requiring saws to pass a defined measurement test and to create enforceable penalties and remedies if they don’t.

Main Provisions

• Definitions

  • Entity: includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or other organizations authorized to do business in Minnesota (does not include state or local government units).
  • Table saw: a motor-driven circular blade that protrudes through a table surface; includes bench, job site, contractor, hybrid, cabinet, and sliding saws.
  • Test probe: a device used to measure the depth of a cut (does not include a finger or other body part).

• Prohibition

  • An entity must not import, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale a table saw that is known or has reason to know does not meet the required standard.

• Technical standard (key testing details)

  • The maximum depth the table saw is capable of cutting for the test probe must not exceed 3.5 millimeters when the saw is powered on.
  • The center axis of the test probe moves parallel to the table surface with the probe positioned between 13 millimeters and 17 millimeters above the tabletop, at a rate of one meter per second.
  • The test probe must contact a spinning saw blade that is set at the maximum height.

• Exception

  • An entity is not violating the rule if it cannot obtain a patent license required to comply with the rule on fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory terms.

• Enforcement

  • Violations are subject to penalties and remedies, including a private right of action to recover damages as provided in section 8.31.2.12.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new safety requirement specifically for table saws within Minnesota Statutes chapter 325E.
• Establishes a concrete, test-based standard (test probe depth, probe height, and blade height) that affects how saws are imported, manufactured, or sold in Minnesota.
• Introduces a private right of action for damages, expanding enforcement beyond any existing state agency actions.

Practical Implications (summary)

• Manufacturers, importers, and retailers of table saws will need to ensure their products meet the specified test standard to be sold in Minnesota.
• Models that fail the test could be barred from sale in the state, or owners could pursue damages if sold non-compliant products.
• Companies may seek patent licenses on fair, reasonable, nondiscriminatory terms to comply, or risk being exempt if licensing terms cannot be obtained.

Relevant Terms - table saw - test probe - maximum depth of cut - 3.5 millimeters - center axis - above the tabletop - one meter per second - spinning saw blade - maximum height setting - import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale - Minnesota Statutes chapter 325E - entity - private right of action - section 8.31.2.12 - patent license - fair, reasonable, nondiscriminatory terms - bench saw, job site saw, contractor saw, hybrid saw, cabinet saw, sliding saw