Senate Bill No. 213 amends the Governmental Tort Claims Act by updating definitions and increasing liability limits for various claims. It expands the definition of "political subdivision" to include public libraries and introduces a new category for not-for-profit corporations owned by public trusts. The bill clarifies terms such as "claimant," "employee," and "loss" to align with current legal standards. Notably, it raises the total liability limit for claims against the state and its political subdivisions from $25,000 to $75,000 for any single claim or for claimants with multiple claims arising from a single incident, enhancing financial protection for individuals seeking compensation.

Additionally, the bill establishes new monetary caps for nuisance claims based on county populations, allowing up to $85,000 for counties with populations under 150,000 and $140,000 for those with larger populations. It increases the overall liability limit for the state or any city or county from $175,000 to $375,000 for claims arising from a single act, accident, or occurrence, and raises the cap for medical negligence claims against state mental health hospitals from $200,000 to $300,000. The bill also introduces provisions for wrongful criminal felony convictions, allowing claims for compensation with a total liability set at $175,000 for claimants who have received a full pardon based on actual innocence. Other amendments include increasing the liability limit for resident physicians and interns and establishing a $1 million cap for public trust hospitals in certain counties. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Committee Substitute: 51-152
Floor (Senate): 51-152