HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1987-003
fRtøøluttøn
No.
87-3
Qtitg of N ort~ Bit~lanb )l ills
WHEREAS, cities throughout the State have experienced dramatic
changes in the last several years concerning the availability, cost, and
adequacy of public liability insurance; and
WHEREAS, such changes have had a profound detrimental impact on the
financial condition of cities and have increased the burden on their
taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, annual increases in the cost of premiums for such insurance
by several hundred percent have become commonplace; and
WHEREAS, such insurance has, in many instances, become unavailable
to Texas cities; and
WHEREAS, a major cause of such insurance crisis is the explosion of
tort liability and damage awards in this State and throughout the Nation; and
WHEREAS, a trend is occurring which has resulted in an increase in
the amount of and number of court awards based on factors which are not
related to economic loss, including awards of pain and suffering, and awards
of punitive damages; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, a Texas Court of Appeals upheld an award of
punitive damages against a municipality, such case being the first reported
case of a Texas Appellate Court upholding an award of punitive damages against
a municipality; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of North Richland Hills finds
that in order to ameliorate the insurance crisis and the financial burden
resulting therefrom, and in order to reduce the frequency of excessive court
awards, which awards both cause and exacerbate such crisis, it is necessary
that the Legislature adopt legislation for the reform of tort law, and adopt
legislation affecting the kind and amount of damages that may be awarded
against municipalities in Texas;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
North Richland Hills that the City Council urges the Members of the
Legislature to adopt legislation for the reform of tort law, and adopt
legislation governing the character and amount of damages that may be awarded
against municipalities in Texas.
Resolution No. 87-3
Page 2
PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of January, 1987.
~~
Dan Echols, Mayor
ATTEST: