Appeal Bond Reform

Many states require defendants to post an appeal bond – sometimes equal to 150 percent of a verdict – in order to secure the right to appeal.

The Problem

In an era when billion-dollar verdicts are no longer uncommon, appealing a jury verdict can force an individual, a company, or an industry into bankruptcy.

ATRA’s Position

ATRA supports appeal bond reform legislation that limits the size of an appeal bond when a company is not liquidating its assets or attempting to flee from justice.

Search Through ATRA Reforms

Search through all of ATRA's reforms around Appeal Bond Reform
Limits on Appeal Bond: S.B. 199 (2018)
The bill limits the amount a defendant would have to pay to appeal a decision in civil litigation to $25 million.  It also creates a rebuttable presum...
Kansas
Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 2125 (2010)

Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay.

Oklahoma
Appeal Bond Waiver Act: H.B. 1524 (2001)
Places a $150 million limit on the amount that defendants have to post to obtain a bond during the appeals process (Pursuant to the Master Settlement ...
Louisiana
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 92 (2003)

Limited appeal bonds on punitive damages to only first of $1,000,000 of any judgment.

Idaho
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 3250 (2006)
Limited the appeal bond to $25 million, regardless of the amount of judgment.  Provided a provision for small businesses that limits the appeal bond t...
Hawaii
Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 134 (2015)
Limits appeal bonds to the lesser of $50 million or the amount of the judgment.  It also includes a small business exception of $1 million or the amou...
Nevada
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 164 (2015)

Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.

Maryland
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1529 (2016)
Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to 50 percent of an appellant’s net worth not to exceed $35 million...
Mississippi
Interlocutory Appeals Reform: SB 453 (1997)
Amends the Texas statute to allow an interlocutory appeal for 1) a special appearance, or 2) a jurisdictional challenge over a unit of state or local ...
Texas
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 196 (2007)
Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. For small businesses, defined as having 50 or fewer...
Wyoming


Appeal Bond Reform News and Press

Explore ATRA's most recent press releases and blogs around Appeal Bond Reform

Search Resources

Search through all of ATRA's Amicus Briefs, Reports, and Other Resources around Appeal Bond Reform
Search All
States
Status
Post Types
Date
Lyle & Bruso v. State Farm
(Ok., filed July 9, 2026): Arguing that allowing the district court’s so-called “protective order” to stand would make Oklahoma a significant nationa...
Oklahoma
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Benavides v. Tesla
(11th Circ., filed July 9, 2026): Arguing that the judgment holds manufacturers to unreasonable standards that will deter innovation and development ...
11th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Drake v. Bayer
(9th Circ., filed May 26, 2026): Arguing that rehearing should be granted to clarify the standards applicable to establishing class-wide injury.  The...
9th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
In Re FirstEnergy Corp. Securities Litigation
(6th Circ., filed May 21, 2026): Arguing that Comcast’s limits on class certification provide essential protections for American businesses and inves...
6th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et. al.
(U.S., filed May 18, 2026): Arguing the state law does not provide a mechanism to recover damages for costs attributed to global climate change. Clim...
SCOTUS
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Veto Request, House Bill 26-1236, “Arbitration Reform”
...
Colorado
Second Letter Urging Veto of HB 449 / SB 229 Following Rejection of Amendments
...
Virginia
Comment by Leading Defense Bar and Business Groups Opposing Nonlawyer Ownership and Fee-Sharing
Tennessee Supreme Court comment by leading business and defense bar groups opposing nonlawyer law firm ownership – 4.30.2026Download ...
Tennessee
Blade v. Sig Saurer
(E.D. Pa., filed April 6, 2026): Arguing that the court should grant Sig Saurer’s motion for reconsideration because Mallory upends the jurisdictiona...
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Suquilanda v. Skyway Roofing, Inc.
(Ma., filed March 18, 2026): Urging the court to decline to recognize a new cause of action permitting employees of a subcontractor to sue a contract...
Massachusetts
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided



The American Tort Reform Association is the nation’s first organization dedicated exclusively to reforming the civil justice system through education and legislative enactment.

To receive occasional updates from ATRA, enter your email address:
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and consent to receive updates.
© 2026 ATRA. All rights reserved.