Statement by Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Laster

“The Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee last week, contains reforms that will save money for small businesses in Oklahoma by eliminating more frivolous lawsuits on the front end of the system.

“Senate Bill 1874 will make lawsuits move through the system in a timely manner. It includes added protections for doctors and prohibits those outrageous lawsuits against fast food chains by someone claiming that cheeseburgers made them fat.

“My bill also urges the Supreme Court to promulgate rules to regulate television advertising by attorneys in a manner that will help create a culture of greater personal responsibility in our state.

“This legislation passed out of committee on an 8-0 vote. Every Democrat and every Republican voted for it in committee and I expect that same kind of support for the measure when it’s heard on the floor next month.”