LAWSUIT REFORM BILL MOVES TO SENATE

The Oklahoma House Media Services Division reported the House passed a lawsuit reform effort, approving a comprehensive measure designed to help boost the state’s economy while preventing abuse of Oklahoma’s legal system. Lawmakers passed House Bill 2047, the Justice & Common Sense Act of 2005, by a vote of 62 to 38. The bill now moves to the state Senate for action. Speaker Todd Hiett (R-Kellyville) is the author of the measure.

The Justice & Common Sense Act aims to create a stronger economic climate in Oklahoma by reducing the harmful impact of lawsuit abuse. Hiett said junk lawsuits hurt Oklahoma by ruining the lives of innocent people, by making health care more expensive, by preventing job growth and by levying a hidden tax on citizens.

Hiett says the Justice & Common Sense Act of 2005 would: Provide for quick and fair compensation for injured people; clean up class action; reduce health care costs for Oklahomans; and provide common sense protection for business owners.

“We applaud this vote by the Oklahoma House as a monumental move toward saving the Oklahoma economy from the scourge of frivolous lawsuits,” said John Marlow, AIA assistant vice president, Southwest Region. “From an insurance perspective, the bill provides a much-needed level of certainty and predictability for our policyholders that will help businesses in the state grow and prosper.”