WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement today regarding Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signing of Senate Bill 667 to curb “legacy lawsuit” abuses against the oil and gas industry. The law will streamline the processing of such lawsuits, promote regulatory clarity, and discourage frivolous claims.

“We applaud Governor Jindal’s signing of this law to close loopholes allowing abusive ‘legacy lawsuits’ against the oil and gas industry. By discouraging lawsuits that indiscriminately target oil and gas producers, this new law puts American jobs and affordable energy ahead of profits for plaintiffs’ lawyers. Senator Robert Adley should be commended for his leadership on this issue, as should the state legislature for getting this bill to the governor’s desk.

“For years, Louisiana’s lawsuit climate has routinely ranked below all neighboring states and second worst in the entire country in a nationwide survey conducted by Harris Interactive. At a time of heightened competition among states for jobs and investment, enactment of this legislation represents a positive step to improve Louisiana’s legal climate.”

ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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