By a vote of 104-9, the House gave second reading to H.3489 (Harrell), the House tort reform bill. While several amendments were offered, none were adopted, so the bill remains as it passed out of the House Judiciary Committee with its five key issues, including:

• Punitive damages caps – 3 times actual or $350,000;
• Appeal bonds (limiting the cost of appeal);
• Admissibility of failure to wear seat belts can now be introduced as evidence at trial;
• Private attorney retention - limits on how much of an award private attorneys can retain when hired by the attorney general to represent the state;
• Statute of repose - shortens the time that people can sue over construction defects.

The bill is expected to get third reading this week and be sent to the Senate. The Senate subcommittee on tort reform is scheduled to meet this Thursday on its version, S.350.