U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform reports Oklahoma enacts civil justice reforms including damage cap

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform has announced that Oklahoma has enacted a comprehensive civil justice package. This package includes restoring a cap on noneconomic damages and increasing transparency in third-party litigation funding. The announcement was made via a press release.

According to The Journal Record, Oklahoma's 2025 legislative session reversed a slowdown in legal reform by passing several bills addressing civil justice, notably Senate Bill 453 and House Bill 2619. These reforms collectively aim to restore a cap on noneconomic damages while ensuring transparency in third-party litigation funding (TPLF). As described by The Journal Record, these changes are intended to reduce unpredictability in court verdicts, benefiting small businesses and healthcare providers by curbing exorbitant awards.

The Journal Record reports that Senate Bill 453 reinstates a cap of $500,000 on noneconomic damages and $1 million on mental anguish damages, providing exceptions for permanent and severe injuries. The same source notes that SB 453 aligns Oklahoma’s expert evidence rules with the updated Federal Rule of Evidence 702—raising the bar for admissible expert opinion and discouraging unreliable or speculative testimony. Signed by Governor Stitt on May 27, 2025, the law will take effect on September 1, 2025, paving the way for more consistent and fair outcomes in civil litigation across the state.

According to coverage by KSWO, House Bill 2619—dubbed the Foreign Litigation Funding Prevention Act—mandates that TPLF agreements in state civil cases be disclosed to courts and parties involved, increasing transparency in the process. The measure also prohibits foreign adversaries from secretly financing Oklahoma lawsuits, addressing concerns over covert influence in the judicial system. Signed into law by Gov. Stitt on May 15, 2025, HB 2619 is slated to go into effect on November 1, 2025, strengthening the integrity of Oklahoma’s legal processes.

The Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is recognized as a leading advocate for civil justice reform both domestically and internationally. As said on the official U.S. Chamber ILR website, ILR "shines a light on what is wrong in the legal system," conducts cutting-edge research, and advances pragmatic solutions through advocacy with federal and state legislatures, regulators, international policymakers, and the courts.