Source: http://www.atra.org/issues/appeal-bond-reform
Timestamp: 2015-03-30 14:09:09
Document Index: 33596516

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6', '§ 16', '§ 12', '§ 215', '§ 17', '§ 569', '§ 45', '§ 625', '§ 34', '§ 60', '§ 411', 'Art. 2124', '§ 600', '§ 550', '§ 512', '§ 512', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 28', '§ 25', '§ 52', '§ 20', '§ 990', '§ 42', '§ 27', '§ 12', '§ 27', '§ 990', '§ 42', '§ 6', '§ 45', '§ 60', '§ 512', '§ 28', '§ 550', '§ 25', '§ 34', '§ 625', '§ 16', '§ 569', '§ 512', '§ 1', '§ 52', '§ 600', 'Art. 2124', '§ 20', '§ 411', '§ 215', '§ 17', '§ 1', '§ 12', '§ 27', '§ 42', '§ 6', '§ 45', '§ 60', '§ 512', '§ 28', '§ 550', '§ 25', '§ 34', '§ 625', '§ 16', '§ 569', '§ 512', '§ 1', '§ 52', '§ 600', 'Art. 2124', '§ 20', '§ 411', '§ 215', '§ 17', '§ 1', '§ 990']

Appeal Bond Reform | ATRA
PROBLEM: In an era when billion-dollar verdicts are no longer uncommon, appealing a jury verdict can force an individual, a company, or an industry into bankruptcy.
ATRA's POSITION: ATRA supports appeal bond reform legislation that limits the size of an appeal bond when a company is not liquidating its assets or attempting to flee from justice.
OPPOSITION: The personal injury bar's argument in support of appeal bonds – that appeal bonds secure damages awards owed to a plaintiff – fails to address the hardship imposed by the bonds on defendants who are forced to choose between risking bankruptcy by posting billion-dollar bonds, many of which are ultimately overturned by an appellate court, and forfeiting their right to appeal.
AlabamaAppeal Bond Reform: (1987). Repeals Alabama's affirmance fee rule, which assessed a fee of 10% of the judgment against defendants (but not plaintiffs) who appealed cases and lost.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 220 (2006); Code of Ala. § 6-12-4. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $125 million.
ArkansasAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1038 (2003); A.C.A. § 16-55-213 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 937 (2005). Broadened 2003 law to apply to all causes of action regardless of when they accrued.
ArizonaAppeal Bond Reform: S.B. 1212 (2011), A.R.S. § 12-2108 Limits the amount of an appeal bond to the lesser of the total amount of damages awarded excluding punitive damages, 50% of the appellant's net worth, or $25 million. CaliforniaAppeal Bond Reform: AB 1752 (2003) Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million and applies to all judgments in civil litigation regardless of legal theory.
ColoradoAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1366 (2003); Amended C.R.S. 13-16-125 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
FloridaAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1721 (2000); Fla. Stat. § 215.56005; Amending Fla. Stat. § 17.41 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal punitive damages awards in class actions to the lesser of 10% of the defendants net worth or $100 million. The reform applies in out‑of‑state judgments during the stay period only.
Appeal Bond Reform: S 2826 (2003); Fla. Stat. § 569.23 Limits the amount that signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement are required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 841 (2006); Fla. Stat. § 45.045 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal in any civil action, except for certified class actions subject 768.733, to $50 million.
Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2198 (2009) Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $200 million. The limit applies to Engle progeny litigation, and creates an overall appeal bond cap for all of these cases combined. The entities covered by the statute include signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement, successors, and affiliates.
GeorgiaAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1346 (2000). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $25 million. Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 411 (2004) Expands the cap of $25 million on appeal bonds that applied to punitive damages and expanded the cap to cover all forms of judgments in all civil cases.
HawaiiAppeal Bond Reform: S.B. 2840 (2004) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $150 million for all judgments against MSA signatories. Appeal Bond Reform Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Limits the amount a small business can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $1 million.
IowaAppeal Bond Reform: S.F. 2306 (2004); Amended Iowa Code § 625A.9. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
IdahoAppeal Bond Reform: HB 92 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal punitive damages awards in any judgment to only the first of $1,000,000.
IllinoisAppeal Bond Reform: H.B. 5151 (2013) Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $250 million.
IndianaAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1204 (2002); Ind. Code Ann. § 34-49-5-3. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
KansasAppeal Bond Reform: SB 64 (2003). Limits the amount that signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement are required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2457 (2005); Amended K.S.A. § 60-2103. Provides that if the appellant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that setting the supersedeas bond at the full amount of the judgment will result in the appellant suffering an undue hardship or a denial of the right to appeal, the court may reduce the amount of the bond as follows: (1) if the judgment is less than or equal to $1 million, the supersedeas bond shall be set at the full amount of the judgment; or (2) if the judgment exceeds $1 million in value, the supersedeas bond shall be set at a total of $1 million plus 25 percent of any amount in excess of $1 million.
KentuckyAppeal Bond Reform: SB 316 (2000); KRS § 411.187. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $100 million. Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 426 (2007) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $100 million for all judgments against all defendants. LouisianaAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1807 (2001); Amended La. C.C.P. Art. 2124. Places a $50 million limit on the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement must post to obtain a bond during the appeals process.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1819 (2003); Amended La. R.S. 39:98.6. Broadens 2003 cap to include affiliates of signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement.
MichiganAppeal Bond Reform: HB 5151 (2002); MCLS § 600.2607. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Provides that this limit will be adjusted on January 1, 2008 and again on January 1 every five years after that by an amount determined by the state treasurer to reflect the annual aggregate percentage change in the Detroit consumer price index since the previous adjustment. Provides that a court will rescind the limit if an appellee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the party for whom the bond to stay execution has been limited is purposefully dissipating or diverting assets outside of the ordinary course of business for the purpose of avoiding ultimate payment of the judgment.
MinnesotaAppeal Bond Reform: H.F. 1425 (2004); Amended Minn. Stat. § 550.36. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million. MissouriAppeal Bond Reform: S.B. 242 (2003); § 512.085 R.S.Mo. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 393 (2005); § 512.099 R.S.Mo. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal $50 million.
MississippiAppeal Bond Reform: Rule 8 (2001). By rule, the Mississippi Supreme Court imposed a limit on the amount that defendants can be required to post to secure a bond to appeal a punitive damages award to the lesser of: (1) 125 percent of the judgment; (2) 10 percent of the defendants net worth; or (3) $100 million.
MontanaAppeal Bond Cap Reform: H.B. 224 (2013) Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
North CarolinaAppeal Bond Reform: SB 2 (2000); Amended N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1C-1750. Places a $25 million limit on bond requirements in punitive damages awards during the appeal process. Provides that limits on bond appeals for out-of-state judgments apply during the stay period only.
Appeal Bond Reform: S. 784 (2003); Amended N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-289. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal all judgments to $25 million regardless of legal theory. Provides that foreign judgments cannot be executed in North Carolina if appeal is pending in a foreign jurisdiction or the judgment has been stayed by the court that rendered it and a bond has been posted.
Appeal Bond Reform: SB 33 (2011). The amount of the undertaking that shall be required by the court shall be an amount determined by the court after notice and hearing proper and reasonable for the security of the rights of the adverse party, considering relevant factors, including the following: (1) The amount of the judgment; (2) the amount of the limits of all applicable liability policies of the appellant judgment debtor; and (3) The aggregate net worth of the appellant judgment debtor.
North DakotaAppeal Bond Reform: SB 2273 (2005); N.D. Cent. Code, § 28-21-25. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
NebraskaAppeal Bond Reform: L.B. 1207 (2004); Amended R.R.S. Neb. § 25-1916. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to the lesser of the amount of the judgment, 50 percent of the appellant’s net worth, or $50 million.
New JerseyAppeal Bond Reform: SB 2738 (2003); N.J. Stat. § 52:4D-13 Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
New MexicoAppeal Bond Reform: S.B. 335 (2007). Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $100 million for all judgments against MSA signatories. NevadaAppeal Bond Reform: AB 576 (2001); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 20.035. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
OhioAppeal Bond Reform: HB 161 (2002); ORC Ann. 2505.09. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
OklahomaAppeal Bond Reform: SB 372 (2001). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2661 (2004). The court is given discretion to lower the bond if the judgment debtor can show that it is likely to suffer substantial economic harm if required to post a bond in the amount required by statute (which is double the judgment). Applies to all cases except those involving signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1275 (2004). Broadens the cap put in place in 2001 to include MSA affiliaties.
Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1603 (2009); 12 Okl. St. § 990.4. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Eliminates bonding requirement to appeal a punitive damages judgment.
OregonAppeal Bond Reform: H.B. 2368 (2003). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million.
PennsylvaniaAppeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1718 (2003). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Rhode IslandAppeal Bond Reform- S.B. 2509 (2008); R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-133-11.1. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
South CarolinaAppeal Bond Reform: H. 4823 (2004). Provides that judgments are to be stayed during the appeal of a judgment by signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement. Such defendants are not required to post an appeal bond.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 3775 (2011) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $25 million for all judgmnets against defendants with 50+ employees and gross revenue of $5 million, and $1 million for all judgments against all other defendants. South DakotaAppeal Bond Reform: Sup. Ct. Rule 03-13 (2003). The South Dakota Supreme Court promulgated a rule which limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
TennesseeAppeal Bond Reform: SB 1687 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $75 million.
Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011); Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-1-124. Lowers the amount a defendant can be required to pay to appeal a decision from $75 million to $25 million not to exceed 125% of the judgment.
TexasAppeal Bond Reform: HB 4 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to the lesser of 50% of a defendant’s net worth or $25 million. Provides that defendants are no longer required to post a bond to appeal punitive damages. Provides that foreign judgments cannot be executed in Texas if appeal is pending in a foreign jurisdiction and a bond has been or will be posted.
UtahAppeal Bond Reform: Sup. Ct. Order 2005-03-22 (2005). The Utah Supreme Court imposed a limit on the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal by amending UCRP governing appeal bonds. The limitations are: (1) $25 million for compensatory damages, applied to class actions and actions involving multiple plaintiffs where damages are not proved for each plaintiff individually; (2) $0 for punitive damages, applied to all actions and eliminates bond requirements for appealing a punitive damage award.
VirginiaAppeal Bond Reform: HB 1547 (2000). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $25 million. Applies in out‑of‑state judgments during the stay period only.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 430/S.B. 172 (2004). Expands limit of $25 million on appeal bond amounts for punitive damages to apply to appeal bond amounts for all forms of damages.
WashingtonAppeal Bond Reform: S.B. 6541 (2006). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
WisconsinAppeal Bond Reform: A.B. 548 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
West VirginiaAppeal Bond Reform: SB 661 (2001). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million. This limit applies to all damages except punitive damages.
Appeal Bond Reform: SB 671: (2004). Broadens the $100 million limit from 2001 to include punitive damage awards.
Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 194 (2007) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $50 million for all judgments against all defendants.
WyomingAppeal Bond Reform: H.B. 196 (2007). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. For small businesses, defined as having 50 or fewer employees, limits the amount to secure the right to appeal to $2 million.
2013 Montana Appeal Bond Cap Reform: H.B. 224 (2013) Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
2013 Illinois Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 5151 (2013) Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $250 million.
2011 Arizona Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 1212 (2011), A.R.S. § 12-2108 Limits the amount of an appeal bond to the lesser of the total amount of damages awarded excluding punitive damages, 50% of the appellant's net worth, or $25 million. 2011 Tennessee Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011); Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-1-124. Lowers the amount a defendant can be required to pay to appeal a decision from $75 million to $25 million not to exceed 125% of the judgment.
2011 South Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 3775 (2011) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $25 million for all judgmnets against defendants with 50+ employees and gross revenue of $5 million, and $1 million for all judgments against all other defendants. 2011 North Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: SB 33 (2011). The amount of the undertaking that shall be required by the court shall be an amount determined by the court after notice and hearing proper and reasonable for the security of the rights of the adverse party, considering relevant factors, including the following: (1) The amount of the judgment; (2) the amount of the limits of all applicable liability policies of the appellant judgment debtor; and (3) The aggregate net worth of the appellant judgment debtor.
2009 Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1603 (2009); 12 Okl. St. § 990.4. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Eliminates bonding requirement to appeal a punitive damages judgment.
2009 Florida Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2198 (2009) Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $200 million. The limit applies to Engle progeny litigation, and creates an overall appeal bond cap for all of these cases combined. The entities covered by the statute include signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement, successors, and affiliates.
2008 Rhode Island Appeal Bond Reform- S.B. 2509 (2008); R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-133-11.1. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
2007 Wyoming Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 196 (2007). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. For small businesses, defined as having 50 or fewer employees, limits the amount to secure the right to appeal to $2 million.
2007 Kentucky Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 426 (2007) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $100 million for all judgments against all defendants. 2007 New Mexico Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 335 (2007). Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $100 million for all judgments against MSA signatories. 2007 West Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 194 (2007) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $50 million for all judgments against all defendants.
2006 Hawaii Appeal Bond Reform Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Limits the amount a small business can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $1 million.
2006 Alabama Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 220 (2006); Code of Ala. § 6-12-4. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $125 million.
2006 Florida Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 841 (2006); Fla. Stat. § 45.045 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal in any civil action, except for certified class actions subject 768.733, to $50 million.
2006 Washington Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 6541 (2006). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
2005 Kansas Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2457 (2005); Amended K.S.A. § 60-2103. Provides that if the appellant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that setting the supersedeas bond at the full amount of the judgment will result in the appellant suffering an undue hardship or a denial of the right to appeal, the court may reduce the amount of the bond as follows: (1) if the judgment is less than or equal to $1 million, the supersedeas bond shall be set at the full amount of the judgment; or (2) if the judgment exceeds $1 million in value, the supersedeas bond shall be set at a total of $1 million plus 25 percent of any amount in excess of $1 million.
2005 Arkansas Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 937 (2005). Broadened 2003 law to apply to all causes of action regardless of when they accrued.
2005 Missouri Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 393 (2005); § 512.099 R.S.Mo. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal $50 million.
2005 Utah Appeal Bond Reform: Sup. Ct. Order 2005-03-22 (2005). The Utah Supreme Court imposed a limit on the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal by amending UCRP governing appeal bonds. The limitations are: (1) $25 million for compensatory damages, applied to class actions and actions involving multiple plaintiffs where damages are not proved for each plaintiff individually; (2) $0 for punitive damages, applied to all actions and eliminates bond requirements for appealing a punitive damage award.
2005 North Dakota Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2273 (2005); N.D. Cent. Code, § 28-21-25. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
2004 Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2661 (2004). The court is given discretion to lower the bond if the judgment debtor can show that it is likely to suffer substantial economic harm if required to post a bond in the amount required by statute (which is double the judgment). Applies to all cases except those involving signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement.
2004 South Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: H. 4823 (2004). Provides that judgments are to be stayed during the appeal of a judgment by signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement. Such defendants are not required to post an appeal bond.
2004 Minnesota Appeal Bond Reform: H.F. 1425 (2004); Amended Minn. Stat. § 550.36. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million. 2004 Hawaii Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 2840 (2004) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $150 million for all judgments against MSA signatories. 2004 Georgia Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 411 (2004) Expands the cap of $25 million on appeal bonds that applied to punitive damages and expanded the cap to cover all forms of judgments in all civil cases.
2004 Nebraska Appeal Bond Reform: L.B. 1207 (2004); Amended R.R.S. Neb. § 25-1916. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to the lesser of the amount of the judgment, 50 percent of the appellant’s net worth, or $50 million.
2004 Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1275 (2004). Broadens the cap put in place in 2001 to include MSA affiliaties.
2004 Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 430/S.B. 172 (2004). Expands limit of $25 million on appeal bond amounts for punitive damages to apply to appeal bond amounts for all forms of damages.
2004 Indiana Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1204 (2002); Ind. Code Ann. § 34-49-5-3. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
2004 Iowa Appeal Bond Reform: S.F. 2306 (2004); Amended Iowa Code § 625A.9. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
2004 West Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: SB 671: (2004). Broadens the $100 million limit from 2001 to include punitive damage awards.
2003 Kansas Appeal Bond Reform: SB 64 (2003). Limits the amount that signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement are required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
2003 Wisconsin Appeal Bond Reform: A.B. 548 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
2003 Louisiana Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1819 (2003); Amended La. R.S. 39:98.6. Broadens 2003 cap to include affiliates of signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement.
2003 Arkansas Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1038 (2003); A.C.A. § 16-55-213 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
2003 Oregon Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 2368 (2003). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million.
2003 California Appeal Bond Reform: AB 1752 (2003) Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million and applies to all judgments in civil litigation regardless of legal theory.
2003 Pennsylvania Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1718 (2003). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
2003 Colorado Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1366 (2003); Amended C.R.S. 13-16-125 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
2003 South Dakota Appeal Bond Reform: Sup. Ct. Rule 03-13 (2003). The South Dakota Supreme Court promulgated a rule which limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
2003 Florida Appeal Bond Reform: S 2826 (2003); Fla. Stat. § 569.23 Limits the amount that signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement are required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
2003 Tennessee Appeal Bond Reform: SB 1687 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $75 million.
2003 Missouri Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 242 (2003); § 512.085 R.S.Mo. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
2003 Texas Appeal Bond Reform: HB 4 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to the lesser of 50% of a defendant’s net worth or $25 million. Provides that defendants are no longer required to post a bond to appeal punitive damages. Provides that foreign judgments cannot be executed in Texas if appeal is pending in a foreign jurisdiction and a bond has been or will be posted.
2003 Idaho Appeal Bond Reform: HB 92 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal punitive damages awards in any judgment to only the first of $1,000,000.
2003 North Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: S. 784 (2003); Amended N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-289. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal all judgments to $25 million regardless of legal theory. Provides that foreign judgments cannot be executed in North Carolina if appeal is pending in a foreign jurisdiction or the judgment has been stayed by the court that rendered it and a bond has been posted.
2003 New Jersey Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2738 (2003); N.J. Stat. § 52:4D-13 Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
2002 Ohio Appeal Bond Reform: HB 161 (2002); ORC Ann. 2505.09. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
2002 Michigan Appeal Bond Reform: HB 5151 (2002); MCLS § 600.2607. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Provides that this limit will be adjusted on January 1, 2008 and again on January 1 every five years after that by an amount determined by the state treasurer to reflect the annual aggregate percentage change in the Detroit consumer price index since the previous adjustment. Provides that a court will rescind the limit if an appellee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the party for whom the bond to stay execution has been limited is purposefully dissipating or diverting assets outside of the ordinary course of business for the purpose of avoiding ultimate payment of the judgment.
2001 West Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: SB 661 (2001). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million. This limit applies to all damages except punitive damages.
2001 Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: SB 372 (2001). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. 2001 Louisiana Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1807 (2001); Amended La. C.C.P. Art. 2124. Places a $50 million limit on the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement must post to obtain a bond during the appeals process.
2001 Mississippi Appeal Bond Reform: Rule 8 (2001). By rule, the Mississippi Supreme Court imposed a limit on the amount that defendants can be required to post to secure a bond to appeal a punitive damages award to the lesser of: (1) 125 percent of the judgment; (2) 10 percent of the defendants net worth; or (3) $100 million.
2001 Nevada Appeal Bond Reform: AB 576 (2001); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 20.035. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
2000 Kentucky Appeal Bond Reform: SB 316 (2000); KRS § 411.187. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $100 million. 2000 Florida Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1721 (2000); Fla. Stat. § 215.56005; Amending Fla. Stat. § 17.41 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal punitive damages awards in class actions to the lesser of 10% of the defendants net worth or $100 million. The reform applies in out‑of‑state judgments during the stay period only.
2000 Georgia Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1346 (2000). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $25 million. 2000 Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1547 (2000). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $25 million. Applies in out‑of‑state judgments during the stay period only.
2000 North Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2 (2000); Amended N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1C-1750. Places a $25 million limit on bond requirements in punitive damages awards during the appeal process. Provides that limits on bond appeals for out-of-state judgments apply during the stay period only.
1987 Alabama Appeal Bond Reform: (1987). Repeals Alabama's affirmance fee rule, which assessed a fee of 10% of the judgment against defendants (but not plaintiffs) who appealed cases and lost.
Montana Appeal Bond Cap Reform: H.B. 224 (2013) Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Illinois Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 5151 (2013) Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $250 million.
Arizona Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 1212 (2011), A.R.S. § 12-2108 Limits the amount of an appeal bond to the lesser of the total amount of damages awarded excluding punitive damages, 50% of the appellant's net worth, or $25 million. Tennessee Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011); Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-1-124. Lowers the amount a defendant can be required to pay to appeal a decision from $75 million to $25 million not to exceed 125% of the judgment.
South Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 3775 (2011) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $25 million for all judgmnets against defendants with 50+ employees and gross revenue of $5 million, and $1 million for all judgments against all other defendants. North Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: SB 33 (2011). The amount of the undertaking that shall be required by the court shall be an amount determined by the court after notice and hearing proper and reasonable for the security of the rights of the adverse party, considering relevant factors, including the following: (1) The amount of the judgment; (2) the amount of the limits of all applicable liability policies of the appellant judgment debtor; and (3) The aggregate net worth of the appellant judgment debtor.
Florida Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2198 (2009) Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $200 million. The limit applies to Engle progeny litigation, and creates an overall appeal bond cap for all of these cases combined. The entities covered by the statute include signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement, successors, and affiliates.
Rhode Island Appeal Bond Reform- S.B. 2509 (2008); R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-133-11.1. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Wyoming Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 196 (2007). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. For small businesses, defined as having 50 or fewer employees, limits the amount to secure the right to appeal to $2 million.
Kentucky Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 426 (2007) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $100 million for all judgments against all defendants. New Mexico Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 335 (2007). Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $100 million for all judgments against MSA signatories. West Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 194 (2007) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $50 million for all judgments against all defendants.
Alabama Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 220 (2006); Code of Ala. § 6-12-4. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $125 million.
Florida Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 841 (2006); Fla. Stat. § 45.045 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal in any civil action, except for certified class actions subject 768.733, to $50 million.
Washington Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 6541 (2006). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Kansas Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2457 (2005); Amended K.S.A. § 60-2103. Provides that if the appellant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that setting the supersedeas bond at the full amount of the judgment will result in the appellant suffering an undue hardship or a denial of the right to appeal, the court may reduce the amount of the bond as follows: (1) if the judgment is less than or equal to $1 million, the supersedeas bond shall be set at the full amount of the judgment; or (2) if the judgment exceeds $1 million in value, the supersedeas bond shall be set at a total of $1 million plus 25 percent of any amount in excess of $1 million.
Arkansas Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 937 (2005). Broadened 2003 law to apply to all causes of action regardless of when they accrued.
Missouri Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 393 (2005); § 512.099 R.S.Mo. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal $50 million.
Utah Appeal Bond Reform: Sup. Ct. Order 2005-03-22 (2005). The Utah Supreme Court imposed a limit on the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal by amending UCRP governing appeal bonds. The limitations are: (1) $25 million for compensatory damages, applied to class actions and actions involving multiple plaintiffs where damages are not proved for each plaintiff individually; (2) $0 for punitive damages, applied to all actions and eliminates bond requirements for appealing a punitive damage award.
North Dakota Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2273 (2005); N.D. Cent. Code, § 28-21-25. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: HB 2661 (2004). The court is given discretion to lower the bond if the judgment debtor can show that it is likely to suffer substantial economic harm if required to post a bond in the amount required by statute (which is double the judgment). Applies to all cases except those involving signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement.
South Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: H. 4823 (2004). Provides that judgments are to be stayed during the appeal of a judgment by signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement. Such defendants are not required to post an appeal bond.
Minnesota Appeal Bond Reform: H.F. 1425 (2004); Amended Minn. Stat. § 550.36. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million. Hawaii Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 2840 (2004) Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $150 million for all judgments against MSA signatories. Georgia Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 411 (2004) Expands the cap of $25 million on appeal bonds that applied to punitive damages and expanded the cap to cover all forms of judgments in all civil cases.
Nebraska Appeal Bond Reform: L.B. 1207 (2004); Amended R.R.S. Neb. § 25-1916. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to the lesser of the amount of the judgment, 50 percent of the appellant’s net worth, or $50 million.
Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1275 (2004). Broadens the cap put in place in 2001 to include MSA affiliaties.
Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 430/S.B. 172 (2004). Expands limit of $25 million on appeal bond amounts for punitive damages to apply to appeal bond amounts for all forms of damages.
Indiana Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1204 (2002); Ind. Code Ann. § 34-49-5-3. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Iowa Appeal Bond Reform: S.F. 2306 (2004); Amended Iowa Code § 625A.9. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
West Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: SB 671: (2004). Broadens the $100 million limit from 2001 to include punitive damage awards.
Kansas Appeal Bond Reform: SB 64 (2003). Limits the amount that signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement are required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Wisconsin Appeal Bond Reform: A.B. 548 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Louisiana Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1819 (2003); Amended La. R.S. 39:98.6. Broadens 2003 cap to include affiliates of signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement.
Arkansas Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1038 (2003); A.C.A. § 16-55-213 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Oregon Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 2368 (2003). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million.
California Appeal Bond Reform: AB 1752 (2003) Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $150 million and applies to all judgments in civil litigation regardless of legal theory.
Pennsylvania Appeal Bond Reform: H.B. 1718 (2003). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Colorado Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1366 (2003); Amended C.R.S. 13-16-125 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
South Dakota Appeal Bond Reform: Sup. Ct. Rule 03-13 (2003). The South Dakota Supreme Court promulgated a rule which limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million.
Florida Appeal Bond Reform: S 2826 (2003); Fla. Stat. § 569.23 Limits the amount that signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement are required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Tennessee Appeal Bond Reform: SB 1687 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $75 million.
Missouri Appeal Bond Reform: S.B. 242 (2003); § 512.085 R.S.Mo. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Texas Appeal Bond Reform: HB 4 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to the lesser of 50% of a defendant’s net worth or $25 million. Provides that defendants are no longer required to post a bond to appeal punitive damages. Provides that foreign judgments cannot be executed in Texas if appeal is pending in a foreign jurisdiction and a bond has been or will be posted.
Idaho Appeal Bond Reform: HB 92 (2003). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal punitive damages awards in any judgment to only the first of $1,000,000.
North Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: S. 784 (2003); Amended N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-289. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal all judgments to $25 million regardless of legal theory. Provides that foreign judgments cannot be executed in North Carolina if appeal is pending in a foreign jurisdiction or the judgment has been stayed by the court that rendered it and a bond has been posted.
New Jersey Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2738 (2003); N.J. Stat. § 52:4D-13 Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Ohio Appeal Bond Reform: HB 161 (2002); ORC Ann. 2505.09. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Michigan Appeal Bond Reform: HB 5151 (2002); MCLS § 600.2607. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Provides that this limit will be adjusted on January 1, 2008 and again on January 1 every five years after that by an amount determined by the state treasurer to reflect the annual aggregate percentage change in the Detroit consumer price index since the previous adjustment. Provides that a court will rescind the limit if an appellee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the party for whom the bond to stay execution has been limited is purposefully dissipating or diverting assets outside of the ordinary course of business for the purpose of avoiding ultimate payment of the judgment.
West Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: SB 661 (2001). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million. This limit applies to all damages except punitive damages.
Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: SB 372 (2001). Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Louisiana Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1807 (2001); Amended La. C.C.P. Art. 2124. Places a $50 million limit on the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement must post to obtain a bond during the appeals process.
Mississippi Appeal Bond Reform: Rule 8 (2001). By rule, the Mississippi Supreme Court imposed a limit on the amount that defendants can be required to post to secure a bond to appeal a punitive damages award to the lesser of: (1) 125 percent of the judgment; (2) 10 percent of the defendants net worth; or (3) $100 million.
Nevada Appeal Bond Reform: AB 576 (2001); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 20.035. Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $50 million.
Kentucky Appeal Bond Reform: SB 316 (2000); KRS § 411.187. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $100 million. Florida Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1721 (2000); Fla. Stat. § 215.56005; Amending Fla. Stat. § 17.41 Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal punitive damages awards in class actions to the lesser of 10% of the defendants net worth or $100 million. The reform applies in out‑of‑state judgments during the stay period only.
Georgia Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1346 (2000). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $25 million. Virginia Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1547 (2000). Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal a punitive damages award to $25 million. Applies in out‑of‑state judgments during the stay period only.
North Carolina Appeal Bond Reform: SB 2 (2000); Amended N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1C-1750. Places a $25 million limit on bond requirements in punitive damages awards during the appeal process. Provides that limits on bond appeals for out-of-state judgments apply during the stay period only.
Alabama Appeal Bond Reform: (1987). Repeals Alabama's affirmance fee rule, which assessed a fee of 10% of the judgment against defendants (but not plaintiffs) who appealed cases and lost.
Oklahoma Appeal Bond Reform: HB 1603 (2009); 12 Okl. St. § 990.4. Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Eliminates bonding requirement to appeal a punitive damages judgment.
Hawaii Appeal Bond Reform Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $25 million. Limits the amount a small business can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $1 million.