The Kansas Senate just passed two important bills, SB 462 and SB 463, that aim to rein in excessive litigation costs that are quietly driving up prices for Kansas families.

Here’s what they would do:

• SB 462 protects legal products from being targeted in ways that inflate costs for consumers.
• SB 463 ensures criminals are held responsible for their actions — not law-abiding businesses and the customers who ultimately pay higher prices.

Both bills preserve legitimate claims. If someone has truly been harmed, they still have their day in court. What these reforms do is restore balance and predictability to a system that too often pushes costs onto families who had nothing to do with the dispute.

The Senate passed both measures with a veto-proof majority, a strong signal that lawmakers recognize the problem.

Now the bills move to the House. And this is where things could get complicated. Opponents of the bill and trial lawyers may try to amend these bills, injecting “poison-pill” language into the legislation in an effort to stop progress. 

House members shouldn’t give them the opportunity.

Why This Matters to Everyday Kansans:

This isn’t a technical legal debate. The cost of excessive litigation shows up in real ways.

According to an April 2025 study by The Perryman Group, excess tort costs drain $5.23 billion from the Kansas economy each year, $1,778 per person and $4,400 per household.

Litigation costs add:

• 8.563% to prescription drug prices
• 4.329% to home insurance premiums
• 2.371% to auto insurance premiums

In a post-inflation economy, families don’t have room in their budgets for what amounts to a hidden lawsuit tax. Perryman estimates excess tort costs increase overall consumer purchases by more than 1.25% statewide.

That may sound small, until you realize it touches nearly everything you buy.

Kansas families deserve relief.

The House should Pass SB 462 and SB 463 as written.