Wisconsin Legislature Passes Lawsuit Reform Bill

The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a bill that would make it more difficult to sue companies and collect damages.

The Assembly passed the bill on a partisan 57-36 on Jan. 20, two days after it cleared the Senate also with no Democratic backing. Republicans rejected numerous attempts by Democrats to alter the bill.

Gov. Scott Walker, who pushed for the changes, says he will sign it into law.

Walker says changing the lawsuit climate will help Wisconsin become more attractive to businesses, but Democrats and other critics say the measure has unintended consequences and will make it harder for consumers to hold businesses accountable.

Republicans and businesses have worked to tighten liability standards for years but have been blocked by Democrats.