What happened: An alliance between personal injury lawyers and certain medical providers has driven a surge in nuclear verdicts across Texas, inflicting serious harm on small businesses. 

Tell me more: In 2023, nuclear verdicts of $10 million or more reached a 15-year high. 

• Some cases, like a 2018 fender-bender in Upshur County, resulted in awards exceeding $100 million, fueled by exaggerated medical treatments from doctors tied to the plaintiff’s legal team. 
• These verdicts not only distort justice but raise insurance costs and pressure businesses to scale back, relocate or shut down.

TLR Thoughts: While many nuclear verdict cases relate to very serious injuries, the increase in the number and amount of these verdicts is distorting Texas’s legal system and discouraging allocation of capital to Texas. These awards are economically unsustainable. This session, TLR – alongside a coalition comprised of more than 1,200 Texas businesses, associations and individuals – urged meaningful reforms in SB 30 and SB 39, to prevent judicial actions that are distorting Texas’s litigation environment and yielding both nuclear verdicts and excessive verdicts in run-of-the mill cases. Although the legislation did not pass this year, legislative action remains vital for the health of Texas job creators and for the Texas families who are hit with skyrocketing costs due to these abusive lawsuits. TLR is calling on the Texas Legislature to prioritize this issue in the 90th Texas Legislative Session.

Read the full article here.

What happened: Texas continues to position itself as a major player in the financial sector, competing with financial hubs like New York and Delaware. Notably, on May 14, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law three pro-business bills. These legislative victories come as the Texas Stock Exchange prepares to launch trading in early 2026. 

Worth noting: One of the three pieces of legislation enacted by Gov. Abbott is TLR-supported Senate Bill 29 by Sen. Bryan Hughes and Rep. Morgan Meyer. The new law, effective immediately, enhances legal protections for companies and limits shareholder lawsuits, aligning with broader efforts to make Texas more attractive for corporate registrations. 

• Meanwhile, a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot would ban taxes on securities transactions, directly countering efforts in New York to reinstate a stock sales tax. 
• These steps reflect a coordinated strategy to make Texas the top destination for business incorporation and capital markets activity.

In his own words: “Texas is going in direct competition with Delaware and New York, Delaware for registrations and New York for listings and the exchange operators.” — Jim Lee, founder of the Texas Stock Exchange

TLR Thoughts: Texas continues to distinguish itself as a national leader, leading the charge in establishing a favorable climate for businesses to flourish, ultimately boosting job growth and innovation. By reducing litigation risk and rejecting burdensome financial transaction taxes, the Lone Star State is sending a clear message: Texas is open for business. 

Read the full article here.

What happened: Gov. Greg Abbott last week signed into law three significant pieces of legislation that Abbott’s office says will “boost Texas’ capital market environment and cement Texas as the Best State for Business.”

Tell me more:

• Senate Bill 29 protects sound business decisions from judicial overreach, giving corporate leaders more confidence to incorporate in Texas. 
• Senate Bill 1058 exempts certain payments made to a Texas-based stock exchange from the stock exchange’s state franchise tax calculations. 
• House Joint Resolution 4 includes an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will ban the imposition of an occupation tax on a Texas stock exchange and taxes on securities exchanges conducted by a Texas stock exchange. 

In his own words: “Texas is the reigning and undisputed champion for doing business in the United States of America.” — Gov. Greg Abbott

TLR Thoughts: The establishment of the Texas Business Court in September 2024, the launch of NYSE Texas in March 2025, the impending launch of the Texas Stock Exchange at the end of 2025 and Nasdaq’s expansion into Dallas are major victories reinforcing Texas’s reputation as the greatest state in the nation to live, work and innovate. TLR applauds the Texas Legislature for taking swift action this session to position Texas as the nation’s preeminent business hub. TLR-backed SB 29 and HB 40 – which has passed the House and awaits Senate passage – together position Texas as a major challenger to the decades-long dominance of Delaware’s business courts, and will help keep the Lone Star State an economic powerhouse.

Read the full article here.

What happened: Business leaders across Texas are calling on lawmakers to pass Senate Bill (SB) 30, common-sense legislation that will shed light on improper lawyer-provider coordination and arm juries with market-based evidence about the true value of medical services. SB 30 has passed the Senate and was today voted favorably out of the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House.

Tell me more: The meaningful reforms in SB 30 will help curb meritless lawsuits and prevent unjustified damage awards. By uniformly providing relevant information to juries, fairer trials will be held in courtrooms across Texas, alleviating the vehicle insurance crisis that confronts every business in Texas, from the smallest to the largest.

Worth noting: SB 30 is one part of a two-step solution that will help restore balance to Texas’s courts – while ensuring that injured parties receive fair compensation. The other crucial step: SB 29, which has been signed into law by Governor Abbott, and which serves as a complement to Texas’s new specialized Business Court system by enhancing Texas’s corporate governance laws.

TLR Thoughts: Texas has worked hard to earn its reputation as a beacon for business—but that competitive edge is at risk. SB 29 and SB 30 together will help keep Texas’s economy from being derailed by an out-of-control litigation system while maintaining appropriate remedies for those truly harmed by others’ negligence. These reforms will give businesses the predictability they need to grow and create jobs.

Read the full article here.

What happened: The U.S. Virgin Islands has filed a public nuisance and false advertising lawsuit against Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and their local partners over plastic pollution tied to single-use bottles.

Tell me more: Officials allege the companies misled consumers about the recyclability of their packaging while continuing to flood the market with virgin plastic and failing to manage the resulting waste. The lawsuit claims this has contributed to a waste crisis threatening the islands’ environment, public health and tourism economy.

Worth noting: This isn’t the first time these companies have faced such claims. Similar lawsuits have been filed in California and New York—where one was dismissed—raising questions about the growing use of litigation to address broad public policy concerns.

TLR Thoughts: Lawsuits like these represent a concerning misuse of the legal system, targeting businesses for lawful conduct under the guise of a public nuisance. TLR is advocating this session for narrow legislation (SB 779) that will protect the Legislature’s authority to set public policy, while preserving statutory nuisance lawsuits for use when appropriate. SB 779 has passed the Texas Senate. The bill now awaits consideration by the House JCJ Committee.

Read the full article here.

What happened: On May 7, SB 30/HB 4806, common-sense legislation addressing lawsuit abuse in Texas was considered in the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence (JCJ) Committee. The hearing followed Senate passage of the bill in mid-April.

In their own words: Public testimony underscored the “shadow system” that exists between certain personal injury lawyers and certain medical providers, leading victims into a “web of exploitation” designed to inflate medical damages.

• Dee Soule, Texas resident and medical billing expert: “The current system in Texas allows for trial attorneys and medical providers to use victims as ATMs, and I believe that is unacceptable. The truth is, I’m angry, and it needs to stop. HB 4806 is one step in the right direction.”
• Soule also testified: “Victims are often pulled into a shadow system where charges are inflated, relationships are undisclosed, and medical billing is manipulated to support lawsuits, not patient care.”
• Another witness stated: “Bills for routine procedures can go from $1,500 to $150,000 due to the referral network between medical providers and personal injury attorneys.”
  

TLR Thoughts: Witness after witness called attention to a pattern of abuse in Texas’s personal injury system—one where inflated medical bills and hidden referral arrangements enrich a few at the expense of real victims and honest consumers. SB 30/HB 4806 includes meaningful reforms that will close loopholes encouraging manipulation of the system at the expense of Texas small and medium-sized businesses, consumers and courts. 

Read the full press release here.

What happened: Dark-money special interest groups are running deceptive TV ads, texts, mail and social media across Texas to mislead voters, smear lawmakers and block common-sense legal reforms that aim to cut down on the frivolous lawsuits helping to drive up Texans’ insurance rates and the cost of everyday goods and services.

Tell me more: These derogatory campaigns are being bankrolled by powerful personal injury lawyers who are deliberately hiding their identities while pushing false narratives to protect their financial interests and confuse Texas voters. 

TLR Thoughts: Texans see through the big lies and dark money. In fact, more than 1,150 Texans, Texas job creators and associations stand in support of the meaningful reforms included in SB 30 (Schwertner)/HB 4806 (Bonnen) and SB 39 (Birdwell)/HB 4688 (Leach) through the Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA). TLR is a founding member of LSEA alongside the Texas Trucking Association and the Texas Food and Fuel Association. Together, TLR and LSEA are working to create a legal system that’s fair, transparent, and focused on relevant facts—not one that rewards manipulation and abuse.

Read the full article here.

What happened: Lawsuit abuse reform is sweeping across the nation, and Florida is one of the states reaping the benefits of these common-sense reforms.

Tell me more: In 2022 and 2023, the Florida Legislature enacted a series of reforms to end frivolous lawsuits and abusive tactics by certain personal injury lawyers while protecting people with legitimate legal claims. The benefits of those reforms are now kicking in.

• Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation announced in February that nearly two-thirds of automobile premiums are declining between 6% and 10.5% this year, depending on the insurer, with more decreases expected as filings continue.
• Additionally, homeowners insurance premiums increased by just 1% on average—the lowest rate in the nation and well below the rate of inflation.

In his words: “Critics claim reform enriches insurance companies, but Florida’s recent rate reductions and market stabilization prove these arguments are baseless. While premiums remain too high and require continued attention, there is no question that ending litigation abuse has made a positive difference.” – Paul Renner, former speaker of the Florida House (2022-24)

TLR Thoughts: As Texas lawmakers consider similar measures this session through SB 30/HB 4806, it’s clear that these reforms are essential to improving Texas’s broken legal system, making insurance more affordable and protecting consumers.

Read the full article here.

What happened: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed into law Senate Bills (SB) 68 and 69—comprehensive tort reform measures aimed at curbing lawsuit abuse. Meanwhile in Texas, similar reforms are advancing through SB 30 by Sen. Charles Schwertner and SB 39 by Sen. Brian Birdwell, each of which has passed the Texas Senate and awaits consideration in the Texas House.

Tell me more: Both SB 30 and SB 39 are among Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority bills for the 2025 Texas Legislative Session. They are being shepherded through the House by Appropriations Chairman Greg Bonnen and Judiciary Chairman Jeff Leach. 

Why it matters: A vast majority of Texans believe lawsuit abuse is a key factor driving up the price of goods and services and want their legislators to take action to fix the system.

• A recent survey found that 86% of likely Texas voters support medical cost transparency in lawsuits, 79% say legal reform is critical to sustaining the state’s economic growth and 67% say lawsuit abuse drives up everyday costs.

TLR Thoughts: TLR applauds Gov. Kemp and Georgia lawmakers for delivering a comprehensive tort reform package that will restore balance to the state’s civil justice system. Texas has a vital opportunity this session to pass and enact meaningful reforms through SB 30 and SB 39 that will help stabilize insurance markets, rein in meritless lawsuits and preserve Texans’ access to the courts. TLR, alongside the Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA), is urging Texas lawmakers to act without delay.

Read the full article here.

What happened: Texas has been ranked the Best State for Business for the 21st year in a row by Chief Executive magazine. 

Tell me more: Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law SB 14 (Texas DOGE) – the first piece of legislation enacted into Texas law this session. The bill passed with bipartisan supermajorities in both the Texas House and Texas Senate, and includes myriad reforms backed by the Coalition for Regulatory Efficiency and Reform, of which TLR is a proud member. 

• Critically, SB 14 will help modernize Texas’s regulatory system and support continued economic growth for Texas.
• The law builds on the Governor’s Small Business Freedom Council’s recommendations and will slash regulations, put stricter standards on new regulations that could be costly to businesses and ensure Texas remains the best state for businesses of all sizes.

In his own words: “Texas offers businesses the freedom to succeed. We will continue to cut red tape and partner with job-creating businesses and innovators to build a stronger, more prosperous Texas for decades to come.” — Gov. Greg Abbott

TLR Thoughts: TLR applauds Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows and members of the Texas Senate and Texas House for their leadership and for taking swift action to reduce the regulatory burden on Texas. 

Read the full article here.

What happened: A growing number of companies—including Tesla, TripAdvisor, Dropbox and Meta—are reincorporating outside of Delaware amid legal unpredictability, prompting Delaware to advance Senate Bill 21, its most significant corporate-law overhaul since 1967.

Tell me more: Delaware has long been favored for its business-friendly laws and over 200 years of corporate case law—which over the years has drawn roughly two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies and 80% of newly public firms—but recent court decisions and franchise taxes have spurred firms to explore alternatives. 

• In 2023, TLR worked hard to ensure the enactment of legislation creating a specialized business court in Texas that would handle complex business-to-business litigation—a major economic development tool for the state—as well as the Fifteenth Court of Appeals, which handles appeals for the business court and important cases involving the State of Texas. By building a judiciary tailored for corporate cases, Texas has positioned itself as a serious contender for incorporation.
  

TLR Thoughts: The creation of the Texas Business Court remains one of the most transformative steps the state has ever taken to strengthen Texas’s economic competitiveness. TLR is working with the Texas Legislature to further enhance the Business Court through HB 40 by Rep. Brooks Landgraf and SB 2883 by Sen. Bryan Hughes, as well as the state’s corporate governance laws through SB 29 by Sen. Bryan Hughes and HB 15 by Rep. Morgan Meyer. Collectively, these efforts will help position Texas as a major challenger to the decades-long dominance of Delaware’s business courts.

Read the full article here.

What happened: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed into law a comprehensive tort reform package aimed at leveling the playing field in courtrooms, stabilizing insurance costs and increasing transparency and fairness in civil litigation.

How it works: The new law reevaluates premises liability standards, truth‑in‑damages calculations for medical costs, bans arbitrary “anchoring” of noneconomic damages and permits a party to bifurcate trials and file a motion to dismiss in lieu of an answer. 

• It also brings transparency to third‑party litigation funding and prohibits hostile foreign actors from exploiting Georgia’s courts.

In his own words: “Today is a victory for the people of our state who for too long were suffering the impacts of an out‑of‑balance legal environment” — Gov. Brian Kemp. 

TLR Thoughts: TLR applauds Gov. Kemp and Georgia’s lawmakers for enacting one of the most meaningful tort reform packages in decades. Georgia’s meaningful reforms will ensure that truly injured victims can recover fair compensation while preventing frivolous lawsuits from driving up costs for businesses and families. TLR—alongside the Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA), a business coalition comprised of 1,150 Texas job creators, individuals and associations from every corner of the state—is urging Texas legislators to pass similar reforms through SB 30.

Read the full press release here.