WV CALA Encourages House of Delegates to Pass Senate Bill 266, Creation of Intermediate Court of App

Charleston, WV— West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse releases the following statement regarding Senate Bill 266 which would implement an Intermediate Court of Appeals in West Virginia:

“We applaud the West Virginia State Senate for passing, in a bipartisan vote, Senate Bill 266, which brings West Virginia in line with a vast majority of other states with the creation of an Intermediate Court of Appeals,” says West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse Executive Director Jordan Burgess. “We now ask the House of Delegates to move forward with this piece of legislation that will tell the rest of the world that West Virginia will not continue to be ranked last in every ranking from pro-business, education performance, and raising a family.”

There are 41 other states that have an Intermediate Court of Appeals. Governor Jim Justice and the West Virginia State Senate have led the charge to bring West Virginia in line with these other states. In his annual budget to the Legislature, Governor Jim Justice provided adequate funding for the creation of an Intermediate Court of Appeals and the Senate has moved forward with this monumental piece of legislation.

“We thank the Governor and the State Senate for their hard work thus far for the creation of an Intermediate Court of Appeals,” continued Burgess. “It is time for the House of Delegates to act promptly and pass Senate Bill 266 that a majority of West Virginians support, and move West Virginia in line with a majority of other states.”

Earlier this year, WV CALA released a poll showing 60% of West Virginians support the creation of an Intermediate Court of Appeals. An Intermediate Court ensures West Virginia is brought in line with other job-friendly states and the House of Delegates now have the opportunity to pass SB266 before the end of the 2019 Legislative Session.