Supreme Court of Connecticut
Nilsa Rodriguez v. Mark J. Testa
May 4, 2010296 Conn. 1
Summary
The court held that the Graves Amendment preempts Connecticut General Statutes § 14-154a insofar as that statute imposes vicarious liability on a vehicle lessor for the lessee's negligence. The statutory insurance provision was conditional and therefore did not constitute a financial-responsibility or liability-insurance requirement preserved by the Graves Amendment's savings clause. The court also upheld the Amendment as a valid exercise of congressional power under the Commerce Clause and affirmed summary judgment for the lessor.