Bill Watch, Feb. 14, 2017: Current Litigation Legislation of Note

The IndyBar Legislative Committee is currently monitoring the following litigation related legislation. IndyBar members can request that the Legislative Committee track specific legislation by contacting committee chair Lawren Mills at lawren.mills@icemiller.com.

Click here to view the full Bill Watch reports.

HB1199    SMALL CLAIMS COURTS. (DEVON D) Increases the small claims jurisdictional amount to $30,000. Provides that the court shall endeavor to bring cases filed on the small claims docket to trial within 90 days.

HB1224    RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL IN CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS. (BORDERS B) Provides that a person seeking judicial review of the final revocation of a professional license has the right to a jury trial.

HB1276    PRODUCT LIABILITY ACTIONS. (TORR J) Specifies causes of action that may constitute a product liability action. Repeals provisions pertaining to product liability actions that are based upon: (1) property damage resulting from asbestos; and (2) personal injury, disability, disease, or death resulting from exposure to asbestos.

SB168    SMALL CLAIMS COURTS. (ZAKAS J) Increases the small claims jurisdictional amount to $10,000 in counties having a superior court small claims docket.

SB414    RECOVERY OF LITIGATION EXPENSES. (KOCH E) Requires a court to award reasonable litigation expenses to the prevailing party in a civil action brought against that party by a governmental entity if the court finds that the civil action was brought by the governmental entity without substantial justification.