A bill signed into law March 26 by Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R) sets the standard for tort reform in the states, according to the Alliance of American Insurers.
HB 92, which passed the Senate 27-8 and the House 58-12 earlier this month, limits punitive damage awards and reduces the existing cap on non-economic damages.
"Gov. Kempthorne and the state‘s lawmakers have recognized the problems created by runaway litigation and have said ‘enough is enough,‘" said Larry Kibbee, vice president of the Alliance‘s Northwest Region. "HB 92 is the premiere example of legislation that will put an end to many of the unnecessary and costly lawsuits that have had a negative impact on our economy."
Kibbee said the bill makes numerous improvements on the current system. Idaho repealed the common law doctrine of joint and several liability for most causes of action in 1987.
