LITTLE ROCK (July 29, 2025) – With Arkansas named a “Tort Reform Trailblazer” in the American Tort Reform Association’s latest Legislative HeatCheck report, NFIB State Director Katie Burns thanked lawmakers for standing up for small business owners and promoting more fairness in the state’s judicial system.

“Our members made it clear that they wanted to see tort reform addressed during the 2025 legislative session, and lawmakers listened. Small business owners face numerous challenges, including frivolous litigation and rising insurance premiums. By addressing phantom damages with the passage and signature of HB 1204, lawmakers stood up for Main Street Arkansans.”

Background:

NFIB strongly supported HB 1204, which reforms the calculation of damages for past medical care in civil lawsuits.

According to NFIB’s annual survey, more than 82% of Arkansas members who participated in the survey strongly support passing legislation to limit excessive lawsuit awards in personal injury cases.