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Lawmakers debate bill that would make plaintiffs liable for damages from losing lawsuits over permitted state projects
Summary
First Substitute Senate Bill 183, which would make parties who sue over state-permitted construction projects liable for delay damages if they lose, drew extended, heated debate over accountability, access to courts and whether the bill targets specific projects.
First Substitute Senate Bill 183 prompted prolonged debate on March 6, 2002, as members argued over whether a statute that would make plaintiffs liable for damages when they lose suits challenging permitted state construction projects is an appropriate check on litigation or an improper deterrent to lawful judicial review.
Sponsor Representative Garn described the bill as accountability for groups whose lawsuits delay permitted state projects and said delay costs for a high-profile project reached $2,000,000 per month. "When a group decided they didn't like the Legacy Highway ... the taxpayers of this state are spending $2,000,000 a month," the…
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