4.4.25 – hoodline – By Tara Aguilar
Oklahoma is advancing significant lawsuit reforms, which have already passed the state Senate, to improve the business climate.
The reforms aim to reduce the financial impact of expensive lawsuits, which are reported to cost the state $3.7 billion each year and result in the loss of over 32,000 jobs, according to the Oklahoma Senate.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, has introduced two bills aimed at reforming legal proceedings in Oklahoma.
SB 833 addresses inflated medical damages, while SB 1115 focuses on the abuse of the public nuisance doctrine against businesses.
Daniels stated, “The Senate is proud to champion these reforms, which will bring fairness and balance back to Oklahoma’s courts. These common-sense bills create a legal environment where hard work is rewarded, and our economy can prosper without the drag of unnecessary litigation,” as reported by the Oklahoma Senate.
A set of bills, including SB 1065, SB 625, SB 453, SB 747, SB 726, and SB 632, is moving through Oklahoma’s legislature. SB 1065, introduced by Sen. Brent Howard, aims to reinstate caps on non-economic damages. SB 625 seeks to improve transparency in civil litigation by revealing funding sources, while SB 453 looks to refine the offer of judgment statute. SB 747 and SB 726, introduced by Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, address discovery tactics and rising property insurance rates. SB 632 proposes the creation of specialized business courts for complex cases. These bills have passed the Senate and are now being reviewed in the House, as stated by the Oklahoma Senate.