What happened: On March 13, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced the second round of his top 40 priority bills for the 89th regular legislative session. Senate Bill (SB) 30 and Senate Bill (SB) 39 were among those listed. 

Worth noting: SB 30 proposes reforms that will help curb “nuclear verdicts”—verdicts of $10 million or more driving up the cost of doing business in Texas—while SB 39 seeks to make commercial motor vehicle collision lawsuits consistent with existing law, fair for plaintiffs and defendants, and uniform across the state.

In their own words: “The Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA) of which TLR, TXTA and TFFA serve as founding members, is advocating for reforms that will protect Texans from higher insurance costs; guarantee fair restitution for legitimate injuries; and create a legal environment that encourages medical providers to treat accident victims without fear of litigation abuse.” 

—Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) and the Texas Food and Fuel Association (TFFA) 

TLR Thoughts: LSEA members showed in force at the Texas State Capitol on March 11 to urge Texas legislators to support the meaningful reforms included in SB 30 and SB 39. LSEA is comprised of nearly 150 business associations and 1,000 Texas job creators and individuals who share a common mission: to curtail the skyrocketing cost of doing business by exposing unfair litigation practices and their impact on the jobs and businesses that fuel Texas’s economy. 

Read the full press release here.