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Lawmakers take another crack at tort reform after Oklahoma Supreme Court rebuke

Lawmakers take another crack at tort reform after Oklahoma Supreme Court rebuke

Yahoo24-03-2025

Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, listens to a question during the Oklahoma Senate session on Monda. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma senators on Monday pressed forward with another attempt to cap how much plaintiffs can claim for pain and suffering despite concerns that the state's high court has already found a similar effort unconstitutional.
Senate Bill 1065 seeks to limit the noneconomic damages that a plaintiff can be awarded at $500,000. Noneconomic damages are those that are not easily quantifiable for injured Oklahomans, including pain and suffering, emotional distress and the costs associated with loss of life enjoyment.
Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, said his measure is part of a broader effort to look at tort reform statewide and give guidance to the courts so it can be 'applied more equally across the board.'
The state does not currently have a cap for noneconomic damages. The Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2019 struck down a law that capped the amount awarded at $350,000. The court found that the 2011 law limiting noneconomic damages is unconstitutional because it treats those who are injured differently from those who die.
Howard said he's optimistic that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will look more favorably on this latest effort in part because the makeup of the Court is different and three of the justices still serving found the 2011 law constitutional except for one provision.
Eight states, including Colorado and California, have similar laws capping damages, and 26 have caps on medical malpractice claims, he said.
Howard's bill includes exceptions for gross negligence, willful disregard for others and intentional malice. It also does not cap economic damages like quantifiable medical expenses, lost wages and property damage.
He said capping the damages eliminates 'potential, unlimited (financial) exposure' for defendants who are sued.
But Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, who voted against the bill, said it raises questions about what a life is worth.
'We say that a life has no cost, no way that we can talk about what it's worth,' she said. 'But here we're talking about near death. We're talking about potentially permanent disability, and we're talking about potentially reckless business practices or reckless decisionmaking. This change would limit justice for Oklahoma families.'
Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, who also voted against the legislation, said one of her constituents, a 6-year-old girl, was mauled by a 100-pound Rottweiler. The girl survived, but nearly all of her damages fall into the noneconomic category because she will have major scarring across her face for the rest of her life, she said.
'If there was a cap on noneconomic damages like this one being pursued now, it would have been difficult for any attorney to accept her as a client or litigate a case on her behalf due to how the cap would have imposed a low limit on how much a jury can award, regardless of the violent attack she suffered and all of the permanent side effects it will have on her,' she said.
Hicks said keeping such lawsuits from being filed is the true goal of such caps.
'Why would any legislators support a cap on valid and warranted damages for the benefit of such a landlord and an insurance company that never offered a fair amount to resolve the client's case?' she said.
The bill passed 37-8, along party lines. It heads to the House for consideration.
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Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma
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Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma

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United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy
United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

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United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

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United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy
United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

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United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

Tribes' economic impact exceeded $23 billion in 2023 OKLAHOMA CITY, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First American tribal nations in Oklahoma contributed $23.4 billion to the state's economy in 2023, according to a new study released Wednesday. Tribal leaders announced the results of the study – commissioned by United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association – on Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center. Compared to previous periods, the new report indicates the largest increase in economic activity between the years studied. From FY 2019 to FY 2023, economic activity rose $4.9 billion, nearly double the increase recorded between FY 2017 to FY 2019. The study found that the tribes directly employed more than 55,600 Oklahomans and supported a total of 139,860 jobs to tribal citizens and non-citizens, accounting for more than $7.8 billion in wages and benefits to Oklahoma workers in 2023. "The contributions of tribal nations to the Oklahoma's success are substantial and enduring," said Matt Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. "Through our business enterprises and healthcare facilities, we support jobs in rural areas where economic opportunities are often limited. Tribal impact reaches far beyond employment. We invest in infrastructure, fund health care, champion public education and deliver programs that meet critical community needs. We honor the legacy that brought us here and remain focused on building a bright future for all Oklahomans." The report highlights significant tribal contributions to health care, public education and workforce development in 2023: Tribes spent $582 million providing health services to Oklahomans with over 3.5 million unique patient visits. Through gaming compacts between tribal governments and the state, tribes submit a percentage of their Class III gaming revenues for the exclusive right to operate gaming in the state. In 2023, tribes sent $208 million in exclusivity fees to the state — a 36% increase since 2019. More than $177 million of the fees went to fund public education across Oklahoma. When combined with the education portion of exclusivity fees, tribes delivered $351 million for Oklahoma education programs in 2023. The economic impact study was conducted by Dr. Kyle Dean, professor of economics and director of the Center for Native American and Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University. Dr. Dean analyzed data from 19 tribal nations based in Oklahoma. "Tribal nations serve as a significant economic force, consistently contributing to the state's economy with increasingly transformative impact," said Dr. Dean. "With over 100,000 jobs supported and an ever-expanding scope of investments, tribes help build sustainable economies and stronger communities across the state." Learn more at About United for Oklahoma United For Oklahoma is a public education initiative supported by a coalition of tribes that are committed to nurturing mutual respect, shared strength and productive partnerships. The mission of the initiative is to raise awareness of tribal impact across the state. About Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), established in 1986, is a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around Oklahoma. The common commitment and purpose of OIGA is to advance the welfare of Indian peoples ­ economically, socially and politically. View source version on Contacts Media contact: Katy Gustafson, APR, (405) 200-5631, katy@ Sign in to access your portfolio

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