By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Its sponsor says it will reduce the cost of civil lawsuits as well as reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits filed.

A bill to change the rules of discovery in a lawsuit has overcome a filibuster in the Senate to make it to the House this last week of the Missouri legislative session.

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville sponsors Senate Bill 224 and says he modeled it after federal procedures. It would change the rules for discovery in civil court cases. Luetkemeyer says though it sounds a bit legalese, reforming discovery will make a big difference.

“About 75-80% of both the cost and the length of time that it takes to resolve a lawsuit surrounds around discovery,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “If you can shorten discovery and make it more efficient, you’re going to reduce the length of a lawsuit and you’re also going to reduce the cost to the parties.”

The Missouri General Assembly adjourns for this legislative session Friday at 6pm.

Luetkemeyer had to overcome a filibuster which kept the Senate in debate into the morning hours a few weeks ago to send it to the House. He hopes the House will pick up the legislation and send it to Gov. Mike Parson this week.

“Hopefully, come August, when the governor hopefully signs the bill and it goes into effect, we’re going to be joining 27 other states and the federal government in making sure that we’re also keeping our lawsuits reasonable and making sure they’re resolved efficiently,” Luetkemeyer says.

SB 224 reforms the rules of discovery in civil court cases. It limits the time to gather evidence prior to a trial or court date.