The special session ends at 6 PM Tuesday and a number of tort reform bills aimed at lowering auto insurance rates are still working their way through the process. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there are two bills making real traction, one by the House Speaker, and the other by a Mandeville freshman.
“There are several moving pieces, and people like to say that during a legislative session, that there are a lot of moving peices, but it is just like a jigsaw puzzle right now,” says Alford.
House Speaker Clay Shexnayder’s bill, which is less expansive than legislation vetoed by Governor Edwards, is in conference committee.
Alford says one of the most interesting new developments is a bill by Mandeville freshman Representative Richard Nelson that includes traditional items like a lower jury trial threshold, but also includes a sunset provision that would undo the law should auto insurance rates not go down as a result of its passage.
Democrats in the Senate have rejected most proposed tort bills, but they have shown support for Nelson’s bill.
Alford says today is the conclusion of a battle between the Governor and legislative Republicans over lawsuit reform that’s taken up a lot of oxygen dating back to the regular session.
“They are both trying to play this elaborate game of chess and it is difficult to see who is winning right now,” says Alford.