April 30, 2019 – The Senate Government Reform Committee today heard testimony on HB 186, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Trent and handled in the Senate by Sen. Eric Burlison, a bill that would establish a statute of repose in Missouri. Missouri is one of a few states that does not have a statute of repose.
A statute of repose differs from a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations limits the time within which a lawsuit must be filed from the time an injury or other adverse event occurs. A statute of repose limits the time within which a lawsuit must be filed alleging a manufacturing defect from the date the product is purchased.
Associated Industries of Missouri President/CEO Ray McCarty testified in support of the bill, noting that Missouri should establish some limit on lawsuits alleging manufacturing defects and the bill provides reasonable time limits.
Following the hearing on the bill, the Committee took action by adopting a Senate Committee Substitute that contains several legal reforms that had been filed and considered in the 2019 Legislative Session, including venue/joinder reform similar as that passed in SB 7, punitive damage reform, and the arbitration and intervention legislation filed to address end runs around language we passed last year to stop abuse of insurers by clever plaintiffs’ attorneys. The combination bill was approved by the Committee on a 5-2 vote. The bill was also reported from committee and is now eligible for debate by the full Missouri Senate.
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