SAN ANTONIO – The Senate Transportation Committee voted to advance a bill Wednesday morning that would add limits to lawsuits involving commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers.
A version of House Bill 19 has already passed the House, and Senate committee members voted to send an amended version to the Senate floor after hearing testimony.
Supporters of the bill told lawmakers it will crack down on excessive lawsuits and lower insurance costs, which they claim have been escalating. They also said some companies are going out of business and truckers are leaving the industry because of the lawsuits.
“I am frightened and alarmed at the commercial vehicle litigation environment in Texas,” said Luann Wagner, CEO of Texas Auto Carriers in San Antonio, told the committee. “We are in an industry that is being unfairly targeted by excessive and abusive litigation.”