COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.:1497H.01I Bill No.:HB 534 Subject:Courts; Civil Procedure Type:Original Date:January 26, 2025Bill Summary:This proposal modifies supreme court rule 52.08 relating to class actions.
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON GENERAL REVENUE FUNDFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028General Revenue$0 to (Unknown)$0 to (Unknown)$0 to (Unknown)Total Estimated Net
Effect on General
Revenue$0 to (Unknown)$0 to (Unknown)$0 to (Unknown)
* Oversight assumes the unknown impact will be less than $250,000 annually.
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON OTHER STATE FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on Other State
Funds $0$0$0
Numbers within parentheses: () indicate costs or losses. L.R. No. 1497H.01I
Bill No. HB 534
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ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on All Federal
Funds $0$0$0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE)FUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on FTE 000
☐ Estimated Net Effect (expenditures or reduced revenues) expected to exceed $250,000 in any
of the three fiscal years after implementation of the act or at full implementation of the act.
☐ Estimated Net Effect (savings or increased revenues) expected to exceed $250,000 in any of
the three fiscal years after implementation of the act or at full implementation of the act.
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Local Government$0$0$0 L.R. No. 1497H.01I
Bill No. HB 534
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FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Section A – Modifies supreme court rule 52.08 relating to class actions
Officials from the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) assume the proposal may
have some impact on their organization but there is no way to quantify the amount at this time.
Any significant changes will be reflected in future budget requests.
Upon further inquiry for similar legislation from the current session (SB 47), OSCA
the proposal affects actions of the courts in unanticipated ways, and there is not enough
information to forecast if a potential cost could be absorbed, the fiscal impact is unknown.
Oversight notes OSCA assumes this proposal may have some impact on their organization
although it can’t be quantified at this time. As OSCA is unable to provide additional information
regarding the potential impact, Oversight assumes the proposed legislation will have a $0 to
(Unknown) cost to the General Revenue Fund. For fiscal note purposes, Oversight also assumes
the impact will be under $250,000 annually. If this assumption is incorrect, this would alter the
fiscal impact as presented in this fiscal note. If additional information is received, Oversight will
review it to determine if an updated fiscal note should be prepared and seek approval to publish a
new fiscal note.
Officials from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) assume any potential litigation costs
arising from this proposal can be absorbed with existing resources. The AGO may seek
additional appropriations if the proposal results in a significant increase in litigation or
investigation costs. Oversight does not have any information to the contrary. Therefore,
Oversight will reflect a zero impact in the fiscal note for this agency.
FISCAL IMPACT – State GovernmentFY 2026
(10 Mo.)
FY 2027FY 2028GENERAL REVENUE FUNDCosts – OSCA – costs related to
changes to supreme court rule 52.08 on
class actions lawsuits (Section A)
$0 to
(Unknown)
$0 to
(Unknown)
$0 to
(Unknown)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND
$0 to
(Unknown)
$0 to
(Unknown)
$0 to
(Unknown) L.R. No. 1497H.01I
Bill No. HB 534
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FISCAL IMPACT – Local GovernmentFY 2026
(10 Mo.)
FY 2027FY 2028$0$0$0
FISCAL IMPACT – Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
FISCAL DESCRIPTION
This bill amends Missouri Supreme Court Rule 52.08, related to class action lawsuits. The bill
specifies that as early as practicable, after a person sues or is sued, the court must determine
whether to certify an action as a class action and the court must make specific findings and
conclusions to support its decision to certify. The certifying order must define the class and the
class claims, issues, or defenses, and must appoint class counsel.
The bill modifies the current notice provisions and provides methods by which notice for any
certified class or for purposes of a settlement must be provided and the information the notice
must include. The bill also provides factors the court must consider, as well as factors it may
consider, when appointing class counsel. The court may appoint interim counsel prior to
determining whether to certify an action as a class action.
The bill allows actions to be brought or maintained with respect to particular issues or classes to
be divided into subclasses, when appropriate. The bill requires the court to hold a hearing prior to
approving a settlement proposal if the proposal would bind class members, and parties seeking
approval of the proposal must file a statement identifying any agreement made in connection
with the proposal. The bill sets procedures for determining attorneys' fees and nontaxable costs.
(§52.08)
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not
require additional capital improvements or rental space. L.R. No. 1497H.01I
Bill No. HB 534
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SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Attorney General’s Office
Office of the State Courts Administrator
Julie MorffJessica HarrisDirectorAssistant DirectorJanuary 26, 2025January 26, 2025