Coalition Strongly Opposes Corporate Immunity Legislation
Texas Watch—May 16th, 2011
A coalition of organizations representing varied interests and constituencies joined forces to oppose HB 274, the so-called “loser pays” bill, today. In a memo to the Senate State Affairs committee, the coalition wrote that “HB 274 has broad implications that devastate the legal rights of Texans of all walks of life.”
Under the bill, families and small business owners with valid legal claims could be financially devastated not only if they lose a lawsuit, but even if they win. It is designed to intimidate individuals into foregoing the legal accountability process altogether, thereby immunizing polluters, insurance companies and other corporate wrongdoers from accountability.
The coalition closes its memo by arguing that “Texans who have been harmed should not have to choose between their financial security and justice.”
The coalition includes:
- Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
- Environment Texas
- Homeowners for Better Building
- MALDEF
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- NAACP of Texas
- NARAL Pro-Choice Texas
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Texas
- Public Citizen Texas
- Somos Tejanos, Inc.
- Texans for Public Justice
- Texas AFL-CIO
- Texas Building & Construction Trades Council
- Texas Employment Lawyers Association
- Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG)
- Texas Watch
