JEFFERSON CITY – House Judiciary committee members passed a Senate bill to tighten jurisdiction of Missouri courts without discussion on March 26.
Eight favored it and four opposed it.
The bill would enact portions of a February decision of the state Supreme Court, finding an injured plaintiff must sue where the alleged injury occurred.
It would allow joinder of two or more plaintiffs in an action only if each could have filed an action in that venue independently of any other. It would allow joinder of defendants only if personal jurisdiction is proper for each one and plaintiff can establish proper venue against each one.
It also would provide for transfer of a claim from an improper venue to one where venue could be established.
If no such county exists in Missouri, the claim would be dismissed without prejudice, according to the proposal.
A hearing on a companion bill was heard by the House Judiciary in February.
The Senate added a clause that a plaintiff with a trial date before Aug. 28 could proceed if a judge set the date before the Supreme Court acted. The Senate also added a clause that plaintiffs from other states could remain in Missouri if a statute of limitations ran out where the claim belonged.
Tuesday’s House Judiciary’s vote followed party lines.
Republican chair David Gregory voted for the bill, along with Republicans Mary Coleman, David Evans, Ron Hicks, Justin Hill, Nick Schroer, Curtis Trent, and Rudy Veit.
Ranking Democrat Gina Mitten opposed it, along with fellow Democrats Mark Ellebracht, Ian Mackey, and Robert Sauls.
Glen Kolkmeyer of Odessa, sponsor of the House bill, didn’t vote on the Senate bill.
Neither did Republicans Bruce DeGroot, Phil Christofanelli, or Cheri Reisch. Nor Democrat Steve Roberts.