Friends,
You can almost hear the tick, tick, ticking of the calendar on the run-up to Labor Day. The holiday weekend is the annual tipping point where we say goodbye to Summer, hello to Fall, and prepare for the holidays that will be here before we know it. But for most Texans, it’s still so hot that fall is more of an idea than a reality. It’s also an even-numbered year, which means two things:
November elections are almost here; and,
The next legislative session is just around the corner.
While four months may seem like a lot of time—it’s been 15 months since the legislature gaveled out Sine Die for the regular session—for policy advocates, it’s a busy season. For the next few months I’ll be balancing the demands of political campaigns and preparing policy priorities for lawmakers to tackle in Austin. That includes introducing myself to hundreds or, if possible, thousands of supporters across the state who want to see substantial changes in how the state addresses lawsuit abuse.
This week, I spent a morning with the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government and Legislative Affairs Committee. I am grateful to Bruce Hillegeist, the chamber’s president, for welcoming TLR and giving me a chance to connect with local businesses. Lawsuit abuse is driving up insurance costs across the state, and financially impacting Texas small businesses.
Last week, an Op-Ed in The Hill highlighted how tort reform paved the way for economic strength in Texas and how lawsuit abuse is putting the Texas Miracle at risk. This week, the Texas Trucking Association’s president is echoing those sentiments and highlighting how out-of-control lawsuits are increasing the cost of doing business across the state. That message was underscored by a new study showing how legal reforms in Florida saved residents nearly $3 billion last year on home and auto insurance.
Businesses want to finish 2026 with a strong fourth quarter. For many, the following months are the busy season. Business owners are balancing work, managing their employees, and planning for next year. But I have heard from many of you that planning for 2027 is difficult because the makeup of the next legislature could look very different. So ask yourself and ask the candidates you meet, which lawmakers will stop the lawsuit abuse driving up costs for everyone?
For the future of Texas,
Ryan Patrick
CEO | TLR
APCIA Study Shows Clear Connection Between Lawsuit Reforms and Savings on Home, Auto Insurance Premiums
A new study from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association found that lawsuit reforms enacted in Florida are producing significant benefits for home and auto insurance customers. Policyholders saved nearly $3 billion last year, while litigation fell sharply and competition increased. The report found:
Nearly $3 billion in consumer savings
Increased policyholder credits and rebates
A strengthening homeowners insurance market
Nearly a 66% decline in lawsuits
Click here to read the full release and report from APCIA.
MORE ON AFFORDABILITY
Operation Sideswipe Attorneys Also Defending Houston-Transplant Lawyer in Louisiana Federal Fraud Case
Federal prosecutors have charged Houston attorney Richard Huye III with wire fraud in what authorities describe as the largest home insurance fraud scheme in Louisiana history. With prosecutors filing an information rather than an indictment, it appears Huye has been cooperating with investigators and a guilty plea is forthcoming.
Prosecutors allege Huye’s firm targeted homeowners recovering from Hurricane Ida and diverted insurance settlement money that should have gone to the victims and in some cases allegedly leaving homeowners with none of their settlement proceeds because of exorbitant and unauthorized legal fees and expenses. The law firm, which handled the insurance lawsuits at the center of the allegations, filed for bankruptcy in Houston in 2024.
Louisiana regulatory and court filings connect Huey to Houston based McClenny Moseley & Associates. Louisiana discipline records further detail improper direct solicitation of clients through mass marketing. In a federal hearing, a former partner of the firm admitted to a $13m operation backed by litigation funding. The Louisiana Department of Insurance said its investigation found at least 856 fraudulent representations in the largest insurance fraud scheme to ever come before their office.
Huye has hired the same law firm that defended one of the now-convicted attorneys at the center of the Operation Sideswipe staged-accident ring. In that case, the law firm was also convicted on charges by federal prosecutors that included wire fraud. Operation Sideswipe has exposed how billboard lawyers use accidents to create a lawsuit pipeline involving private relationships with doctors and medical providers, as well as third-party lenders using predatory practices and excessive interest rates.
MORE ON FRAUD
Two years after its creation, the Texas Business Court is living up to its growing national reputation. With more than 100 opinions across 185 cases — half of which were issued by the Houston-based court — the challenge to Delaware’s Chancery Court is being answered with gusto. The Houston Business Journal recently highlighted the impact the court is having and how those who do business before the specialized judges continue to praise its efficiency. Click here to read more about the success of the Texas Business Court
