[BradtotheBone]

BWAAAAHAHAHAHA, The donk trial lawyers are howling now in Texas.

[freekitty]

When they civil lawsuit are they saying single or collectively? Can no one individually sue?

[Defiant]

Texas justice would improve if lawyers stopped contributing to judges’ campaigns before appearing in their courts. Elected judges in contested elections are a bad idea. Occasional elections where judges are retained is ok, keeps a slight check on their behavior. Jmo.

[mo]

Texas...leading the way in REAL regulatory reform handicapping business.

[84rules]

discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

Well, DUH! Isn't that the whole point to the bill?

[Professional Engineer]

A nice little flame war started in the comments at the source.

[SeeSharp]

...but opponents say it would discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

Yep. That's kinda the point.

[Ron H.]

....but opponents say it would discourage people from bringing FRIVOLOUS and / or TRIVIAL suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose at hitting the Courthouse lottery.

[truthguy]

calls on the Texas Supreme Court to institute rules that make it tougher to bring a civil lawsuit and would also allow defendants to collect costs if they prevail

This is a double-edged sword to be sure. But it's long overdue. Trial Lawyers and scumbags filing frivolous lawsuits have brought us to this point. This situation has gone on for far too long. The legislatures have failed to address this problem. The down side is that some of those who have legitimate claims will not be able to proceed because a loss for them would be a financial catastrophe. Even if you have a valid claim you can still lose in civil court for any number of reasons. But this is the result of years of failure of the greedy lawyers bringing forth idiotic lawsuits and idiot jurors and insane verdicts.

[Ron H.]

One of the side benefits to this change will be less money flowing into the coffers of liberal Democrat legislators and judges. Look to Obama to try and stop this by using his henchman in charge of the AG office to attack it.

[LoneStarGI]

...opponents say it would discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

Hmm...how about trying this. Don't sue someone for an obscene amount of money unless you got the proof to win.

[PastorBooks]

Would this apply to patents and the East Texas district? East Texas is the #1 location for filing patent suits nationwide. The juries there overwhelming favor plaintiffs in patent suits, so legal firms have learned to file their suits there regardless where the defendant is located.

[mdmathis6]

Perhaps the lawyers will have to reduce their “huge legal fees” if they want continued business in the legal tort arena.