Governor Eric Greitens has signed HB 153, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Corlew
, that will allow Missouri to join most other states and federal courts in the way they evaluate whether a person testifying in court is an expert or not. The governor signed the bill earlier today at Midland Transport in Jefferson City, MO.
Similar legislation was passed last year and vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon. This bill is different because it will not apply in work comp cases or other cases that do not involve a jury. In reality, the new standard really would have little or no impact in these cases anyway because the judge decides whether the testimony is credible under existing law and the new law expected to be signed today.
Associated Industries of Missouri has long supported correcting the standard in Missouri.
“Missouri’s low standard of evaluating experts in state court is why plaintiffs’ attorneys try to move cases into Missouri state courts,” said Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri. “The proposed standard works in most other states and is used in federal courts in Missouri. This is a commonsense bill and we applaud the sponsor, Rep. Kevin Corlew, the House and Senate leadership that made this a priority, and Governor Eric Greitens for making this a priority and signing the legislation,” said McCarty.
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform issued a statement supporting signature of the bill. Associated Industries of Missouri is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. You may read the statement here.