Louisiana House Bill HB1031

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/28/12
• Refer: 3/29/12

Caption

Appropriates funds for payment of judgment against the state in the matter of "Kenneth G. Oliphant, et al v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, et al"

Impact

The passing of HB 1031 will ensure that the funds necessary for settling this judgment are available and adds a provision to the state budget reflecting this obligation. This act highlights the responsibility of the state to manage legal claims against it and underscores how the state interacts with the judicial system concerning financial judgments. The efficiency in which such appropriations are handled can affect the state’s fiscal health and its credibility in addressing outstanding legal matters.

Summary

House Bill 1031 proposes an appropriation of $5,000 from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2012-2013. This amount is allocated specifically for the payment of a consent judgment in the case 'Kenneth G. Oliphant, et al v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, et al'. The decision to issue this payment is a result of a legal proceeding concerning wrongful death, suggesting the case involves claims from the family against the insurance company and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Sentiment

The sentiment around the bill appears to be largely procedural. Given that it deals with a mandated payment resulting from a judicial ruling, comments on the bill focus on the necessity of fulfilling this obligation rather than on significant debate or political contention. There could be underlying sentiments related to the implications of state financial management and addressing wrongful death claims, but these didn't become major talking points during discussions.

Contention

There might be general contention regarding how quickly the state can handle such judgments and whether the appropriated amount is sufficient. Stakeholders may express concerns about the implications of wrongful death claims on state insurance policies and how similar future claims can be managed. However, the straightforward nature of the bill, calling for a specific financial appropriation in response to a legal requirement, seems to limit extensive debate.