Daniels Champions Lawsuit Reforms to Improve Oklahoma’s Business Climate

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate has overwhelmingly passed a series of lawsuit reforms aimed at reining in excessive lawsuits. This package of legislation is gaining momentum after a recent study found that Oklahoma loses more than $3.7 billion in total economic output and 32,300 jobs each year due to exorbitant tort costs stemming from lawsuits and legal claims.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, played a key role in advancing a package of reforms that included two of her own bills to improve the legal climate for Oklahoma businesses, ensure fairness in civil litigation and prevent egregious judgments that could bankrupt companies and individuals.

“Oklahomans are fed up with having a court system that is often hostile to businesses, hindering their prosperity and growth,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville. “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.

“Excessive damage awards, often the result of unchecked legal actions, drive up the costs of goods and services, putting an added strain on consumers who are already struggling to make ends meet. By curbing excessive judgments, we are ensuring a healthier, more competitive marketplace where businesses can thrive and Oklahomans are not left footing the bill for litigation.”

SB 833 (Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels) would ensure accuracy in the amount of medical damages awarded in lawsuits by preventing these awards from being based on artificially inflated invoices.

SB 1115 (Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels) would prevent trial lawyers from using the state’s obscure public nuisance doctrine to sue Oklahoma businesses.

SB 1065 (Sen. Brent Howard) would reinstate a cap on subjective noneconomic damages the Oklahoma Supreme Court had previously overturned to ensure courts cannot impose egregious judgments against businesses and individuals.

SB 625 (Sen. Brent Howard) would increase transparency in civil litigation by requiring disclosure of commercial litigation funding agreements upon request in discovery, including an affidavit certifying whether funds originate from a foreign state or entity. 

SB 453 (Sen. Brent Howard) would improve Oklahoma’s offer of judgment statute to encourage speedy settlements.

SB 747 (Sen. Aaron Reinhardt) would reform lawsuit discovery rules to curtail abusive trial lawyer tactics that make lawsuits more expensive.

SB 726 (Sen. Aaron Reinhardt) would put guardrails around property insurance litigation claims to neutralize skyrocketing property insurance rates.

SB 632 (Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton) would create a specialized system of business courts to deal with complex business litigation.

These Senate bills have advanced to the House for consideration.

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For more information, contact: Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels at (405) 521-5634 or Julie.Daniels@oksenate.gov