Texas House Advances Critical Lawsuit Reform Bill
The Texas House Insurance Committee today advanced House Bill 1774, a consumer protection bill that implements common-sense accountability measures to stop rampant weather-related lawsuit abuse, while preserving the strongest protections in the nation for property insurance consumers.
HB 1774 receives widespread support from Texas families and employers
AUSTIN—The Texas House Insurance Committee today advanced House Bill 1774, a consumer protection bill that implements common-sense accountability measures to stop rampant weather-related lawsuit abuse, while preserving the strongest protections in the nation for property insurance consumers. Texans of all backgrounds have united behind HB 1774 and its companion bill, Senate Bill (SB) 10, to shut down trial lawyers’ latest jackpot justice scheme.
“SB 10 and HB 1774 have the support of families and businesses from every corner of Texas, as well as Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick and more than 100 members of the Texas House and Senate, all of whom understand that lawsuit abuse in any form, at any time, is unacceptable in Texas,” Texans for Lawsuit Reform Chairman and CEO Richard W. Weekley said. “Texas property owners want strong accountability for storm-chasing lawyers who are abusing the legal system and jeopardizing affordable insurance coverage for us all. We are pleased to see the Texas House take an important step toward making HB 1774 law.”
Companies and organizations supporting SB 10 and HB 1774 include:
AGC Texas Building Branch
Associated Builders and Contractors of Houston
Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q
Boggus Ford Lincoln
C Club of Houston
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas
Coalition for Public Responsibility
ConocoPhillips
East Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse
Fidelis Realty Partners
First Continental Mortgage
Friedkin Group
Greater Houston Partnership
Harlingen Chamber of Commerce
Highland Homes
Houston Realty Business Coalition
Koch Industries
Linbeck Construction
Mission Pharmacal
Mossy Nissan
Mustang Cat
North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
Pappas Restaurants
Perry Homes
Pioneer Home Builders
Pioneer Natural Resources
Plains All American Pipeline
R Street Institute
Rio Grande Valley Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
Rio Grande Valley Partnership
San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
Southwest Petroleum
Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Association of Business (TAB)
Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM)
Texas Civil Justice League
Texas Concrete Company
Texas Conservative Coalition
Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA)
Additionally, many of the most prominent business leaders in the state have registered their support, including Red McCombs, Bob McNair, Woody Hunt, John Nau, Harlan Crow, Ross Perot Jr., Sam Susser, Tucker Bridwell, Reno Gustafson and Stu Stedman.
The Texas Department of Insurance recently found that the rate of weather-related lawsuits increased 1,400 percent statewide after 2011. As a result of this lawsuit abuse, at least 12 insurers have raised their rates for homeowners’ insurance and seven have reduced, limited or stopped writing policies in Texas.
To learn more about hail-related lawsuit abuse, please visit /issue/hail-windstorm-twia.