With approximately a week remaining in the current legislative session, COVID-19 liability legislation originating in the Missouri Senate was recently held up in the Missouri House of Representatives after the House Rules Legislative Oversight Committee voted it down 7-3.
Ray McCarty, Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) president, told the St. Louis Record that the news does not mean Senate Bill 51 is dead, and it is still possible for the bill to make it to Gov. Mike Parson's desk.
“SB 51 is still very much alive,” he said. “There are always negotiations between the House and Senate leadership over their respective priorities and we believe this bill is still very much alive and a part of discussions as we head into the final days of the legislative session.”
An AIM press release stated that though the vote failed, the committee chair changed his “yes” vote to a “no,” which permits the legislation to still be reconsidered by the committee during this session. McCarty said that he feels legislative leadership sees the bill as significant.
“Speaker [Rob] Vescovo is in control of the issue and we believe he understands the great importance of this bill to all businesses in Missouri, as it provides protection for responsible manufacturers, health care businesses, retailers and all other employers from frivolous COVID lawsuits,” he said.
The bill has also gained support from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, which included it as one of seven issues to watch among bills currently under consideration in the final days of the legislative session. The Chamber states that there is already increased advertising by law firms seeking COVID-19 litigants, and it is essential to act before the courts are inundated with frivolous lawsuits.
McCarty told the St. Louis Record there is still time.
“If approved, the bill would still have time to be approved by the House and sent to Gov. Parson,” he said.