For Immediate Release: March 13, 2007
Senator Cliff Branan
Lawsuit Reform Measure Passes State Senate
A bill to provide immunity from lawsuits to charity volunteers
easily passed the Oklahoma Senate Tuesday on a 42 to 5 vote.
Senate Bill 507 by Sen. Cliff
Branan extends liability protections
to volunteers who provide transportation services as part of
their duties for charitable organizations, so long as the volunteer
is not grossly or intentionally negligent.
“Charity volunteers are doing their part to make our state a better place,
so we need to do what we can to prevent them from being sued,” stated
Branan, R-Oklahoma City. “With the tie in the Senate, we are now
able to consider some of these important pieces of legislation. I
think voting on bills like this is a positive step forward for our state.”
Branan also agreed to accept a friendly amendment to his bill
authored by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, that would provide
liability protections to firearms manufacturers.
“I also want to thank Sen. Gumm for offering his amendment to extend
much-needed protections to firearms manufacturers, because there is a national
effort to use frivolous lawsuits to put these companies out of business. This
is a good addition to SB 507,” Branan said. “It is grossly
unfair that a company can be sued because someone used their product to commit
a crime. The person who committed the crime is the one who should be
held accountable—not the manufacturer.”
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for committee
consideration.
For more information contact:
Senator Branan's Office - (405) 521-5543