Red and blue counties are trying to kill a Republican bill that would prevent lawsuits against companies that have caused harm in the community.
“Why is it necessary to limit this one avenue or cause of action when it’s obviously most recently used in a very important way that has substantial benefit to the people of Texas?” Rep. Julie Johnson, D- Farmers Branch, asked Harris. Dallas County is set to receive $24.6 million in settlement and plans to spend the funds on substance abuse remediation.
The bill would also limit definitions of a public nuisance. If the bill passes, counties could not take legal action against a company “regardless of whether the product is defective,” nor if “a product endangers the health, safety or welfare of the public at large or has caused injury to one or more members of the public.”Kimberly Kreider-Dusek is McMullen County’s attorney.