Odessa American in Odessa, Texas

First tort reform bill passes House

Republicans pushed through the bill by a 232 to 193 vote to curb costly lawsuits and push settlements. The measure would shift legal costs in some cases, encouraging out of court deals, while critics say it favors corporations and burdens middle and low income groups. A second bill would tighten defenses in securities fraud suits, and a third would limit punitive damages and pre-empt state laws in product liability cases.