HB 57 creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which reduces the threshold for a jury trial, provides for the transfer of cases from courts of limited jurisdiction to district courts, provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of the failure to wear a safety belt.
HB 57 reduce’s the amount of money at stake needed to trigger the right to a jury trial from $50,000, the highest in the nation by far, to $10,000.
Rep. Jack McFarland, a Winnfield Republican, said the changes, particularly the collateral source rule, would benefit small commercial transport companies whose businesses are threatened by skyrocketing rates. “I think we found a sweet spot that is going to have an effect [on rates],” he said. —
Representative Jack McFarland has truly worked continuously on this collateral source!!! We are beyond grateful for his efforts!!
Senator Heather Cloud was also an amazing advocate for TRUCKERS!!!
We encourage you to watch their testimonies.
Rep. McFarland testimony (54:54 - 57:26)
Sen. Heather Cloud (1:24:56-1:26:23)
Thank you House Speaker Clay Schexnayder!