Letter: Judicial bill important reform
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Lost beneath the hoopla of major legislative battles and the clamor over legislator pay raises in Louisiana’s recent legislative session was a small but important victory for workers, employers, taxpayers and consumers.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the state Legislature has enacted reform to improve our judicial system. Senate Bill 308, authored by Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Covington, currently awaits Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature.
This bill would establish a uniform system for eliminating “junk science” and nonexpert witnesses from the courtroom. It would end confusion, delays and appeals because of unqualified witnesses and unreliable evidence that can lead to unfair verdicts and a distrust of our legal system.
This legislation is similar to laws passed recently in Georgia, Mississippi and Michigan, and is already being called a model for possible legislation in West Virginia.
Any thought that Louisiana’s judicial system needs no improvement has been disproved without a doubt over the past few months. In multiple surveys and studies, our civil justice climate has ranked nearly dead last.
We were ranked 49th in judicial fairness in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey of major employers. We were ranked 48th for legal climate by the American Legislative Exchange Council. In addition, 94 percent of Louisiana businesses say that the threat of a lawsuit is a factor in the business decisions their company makes.
Louisiana has focused on other reforms such as ethics and work-force development, but we must not forget to reform our judicial system as well.
Changes such as SB308 make us more competitive with our neighbors, such as Texas and Mississippi, who have enacted strong reforms over the past few years.
Improvements to our justice system can bring jobs and better incomes to Louisianians as our state attracts new businesses and encourages expansion of those already here. Reform will help us stem the tide of outmigration and keep our future here.
SB308 is a small step in a long journey to improve our civil justice system, but often it is the first step that is hardest to take. Kudos to Sen. Jack Donahue and all those who worked so hard to pass this legislation.
The citizens of Louisiana look forward to more reform in the near future.
Fred Shumate, executive director
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Baton Rouge
