Fallin Leaning Towards Single Subject Special Session
Oklahoma governor leaning toward single topic in special session
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT mmcnutt@opubco.com • Published: July 24, 2013
A decision will be made within a month whether to call a special session for Oklahoma lawmakers to revise a law thrown out last month by the state Supreme Court, Gov. Mary Fallin said Tuesday.
The governor is leaning toward a special session dealing only with legislation supported by business and medical groups that would restrict the filing of lawsuits. The high court ruled a 2009 law dealing with how lawsuits are filed violated a state constitutional requirement that bills deal only with a single subject.
Since its ruling, the Supreme Court has reversed the dismissal of 11 lawsuits based on the 2009 law. The cases were sent back to district court for further proceedings.
“We are also beginning to hear from many different outside groups such as the medical professions, certainly the business community, the chambers of commerce,” Fallin said. “We’ve even heard from a person in the energy sector that is very concerned that with our lawsuit reform being tossed out it will affect their industry.”