6-6-23
## Read Gov. Relations Consultant AJ Donelson's update below.
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Federal legislation to prohibit the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses in consumer, employment, civil rights and antirust cases was recently reintroduced in Congress. The House bill (H.R. 2953) was introduced by Congressman Hank Johnson of Georgia. The bill has 83 cosponsors, and it has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate bill (S. 1376) was introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The bill has 37 cosponsors, and it has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Similar bills have been introduced in Congress since 2019. None have come close to being enacted into law. While both bills have a significant number of cosponsors, each still lack broad bipartisan support. Without that bipartisan support, it is unlikely that Congress will approve legislation this year or next to ban the use of mandatory arbitration provisions. At the same time, the legislation, if enacted, could have a profoundly negative impact on Texas injury benefit plans. Because of that potential, ARAWC continues to monitor the status of the bills and is prepared to work with its allies in Congress to amend or defeat any adverse legislation, should it start to gain steam.