Paul Renner, former Speaker of the Florida House, has advocated for Texas lawmakers to pass litigation reform. He cited Florida's recent legal changes, which he claimed have led to a 6% to 10% reduction in auto insurance premiums.
"The Texas legislature is taking an important vote today on litigation reform," said Renner, Fmr. Speaker of the House. "Here's something I hope they'll consider: April's CPI report shows auto insurance is INCREASING 6.4% YoY- fueling inflation nationwide. In Florida, we fixed our broken litigation system, and premiums are already DECREASING 6-10%. Texans deserve the same relief. End lawsuit abuse and watch rates fall."
According to the latest Consumer Price Index report, auto insurance remains a significant factor in inflation, with rates increasing by 0.6% in April and 6.4% over the past year. While prices for groceries, used cars, and airfares have decreased, car insurance and medical services continue to rise. Reports indicate that auto insurance is a major contributor to core inflation increases. Experts suggest that the legal system is a root cause, with lawsuit abuse inflating insurance costs. Florida's legal reforms have reportedly resulted in significant reductions in auto premiums.
Renner's May 15 statement
| X.com
A study by The Perryman Group, commissioned by Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA), found that Texans pay an average of $1,725 annually due to excessive lawsuits and large court awards—above the national average of $1,666. The "lawsuit tax" increases the cost of goods, insurance, and services for consumers and businesses alike. From 2009-2023, Texas led the nation with 207 "nuclear verdicts" (awards over $10 million), totaling more than $45 billion. These lawsuits have caused $33.6 billion in annual direct costs and over 450,000 lost jobs across the state. Business leaders and CALA officials are advocating for reforms to limit inflated medical bills, enhance billing transparency, and ensure fair noneconomic damage awards.
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform released a study indicating that Texas ranks among the top five states for nuclear verdicts. Between 2013 and 2022, there were 130 personal injury and wrongful death cases resulting in $16 billion in awards. The study highlighted how "anchoring" tactics—where attorneys suggest arbitrary high-dollar damage amounts—contributed significantly to inflating jury awards. One notable case involved a $39 million verdict in an auto accident after a plaintiff’s lawyer proposed a symbolic per-mile damage figure; this was later overturned by the Texas Supreme Court due to improper tactics.
A report from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) shows that Texas is a major hub for legal services advertising. Dallas and Houston both rank among the top ten U.S. media markets for spending on these ads in 2024. Dallas saw approximately $69.8 million spent on 622,212 ads while Houston accounted for over $56.6 million on more than 411,000 ads. This reflects a broader national increase in trial lawyer advertising expenditure.
Renner is currently a board member of Protecting American Consumers Together and served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2022–2024 where he led efforts to reform the personal injury system.