Today, the American Tort Reform Association again urged Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to veto bills that would authorize, for the first time in the Commonwealth, costly class action lawsuits and expose businesses to unprecedented liability.
The governor returned Senate Bill 229 and House Bill 449 to the General Assembly with a commonsense substitute that would have authorized class action litigation in Virginia in a manner consistent with federal and other state courts. The General Assembly rejected the governor’s proposal.
“We commend Gov. Spanberger for returning these bills to the General Assembly with proposed changes that made important improvements in the proposals,” said Tiger Joyce, president of ATRA. “Unfortunately, the legislature instead opted to persevere on a course that would dramatically expand litigation and liability exposure, ultimately negatively impacting working families and the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness.”
Virginians already pay an estimated $1,849 annually in a “tort tax,” and the state loses approximately 135,840 jobs each year due to excessive tort costs.
“This legislation would clog the Commonwealth’s courts with class action lawsuits, subject businesses to significant new liability under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, and make life less affordable for the people who live and work here,” Joyce said. “While this approach may benefit some lawyers, it will not improve the lives of Virginians and will harm Virginia employers — that is why we are once again urging Gov. Spanberger to veto this legislation as soon as possible.”
The letter, additionally signed by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors – Virginia, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, and the Virginia Manufacturers Association, reiterates concerns that these bills will disproportionately benefit trial lawyers who stand to profit from expanded litigation.
S.B. 229 was introduced by Democratic Senate Majority Leader and practicing trial attorney, Scott A. Surovell, and House Bill 449, was introduced by Democratic Del. Marcus B. Simon. ATRA sent a letter in March outlining initial concerns and providing input on amendments to lessen the vast liability expansion. The Association also named the Virginia General Assembly a “Lawsuit Inferno” in its 2025 Legislative HeatCheck report after lawmakers advanced bills to expand civil liability and encourage more lawsuits last year.
The full letter requesting Gov. Spanberger’s complete veto of S.B. 229 and H.B. 449 is available at ATRA.org.
Today, the American Tort Reform Association again urged Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to veto bills that would authorize, for the first time in the Commonwealth, costly class action lawsuits and expose businesses to unprecedented liability.
The governor returned Senate Bill 229 and House Bill 449 to the General Assembly with a commonsense substitute that would have authorized class action litigation in Virginia in a manner consistent with federal and other state courts. The General Assembly rejected the governor’s proposal.
“We commend Gov. Spanberger for returning these bills to the General Assembly with proposed changes that made important improvements in the proposals,” said Tiger Joyce, president of ATRA. “Unfortunately, the legislature instead opted to persevere on a course that would dramatically expand litigation and liability exposure, ultimately negatively impacting working families and the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness.”
Virginians already pay an estimated $1,849 annually in a “tort tax,” and the state loses approximately 135,840 jobs each year due to excessive tort costs.
“This legislation would clog the Commonwealth’s courts with class action lawsuits, subject businesses to significant new liability under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, and make life less affordable for the people who live and work here,” Joyce said. “While this approach may benefit some lawyers, it will not improve the lives of Virginians and will harm Virginia employers — that is why we are once again urging Gov. Spanberger to veto this legislation as soon as possible.”
The letter, additionally signed by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors – Virginia, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, and the Virginia Manufacturers Association, reiterates concerns that these bills will disproportionately benefit trial lawyers who stand to profit from expanded litigation.
S.B. 229 was introduced by Democratic Senate Majority Leader and practicing trial attorney, Scott A. Surovell, and House Bill 449, was introduced by Democratic Del. Marcus B. Simon. ATRA sent a letter in March outlining initial concerns and providing input on amendments to lessen the vast liability expansion. The Association also named the Virginia General Assembly a “Lawsuit Inferno” in its 2025 Legislative HeatCheck report after lawmakers advanced bills to expand civil liability and encourage more lawsuits last year.
The full letter requesting Gov. Spanberger’s complete veto of S.B. 229 and H.B. 449 is available at ATRA.org.
