HB 708 -- CHOICE OF LAW

SPONSOR:  Curtman

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 6 to 3.

This bill specifies that any court, tribunal, arbitration, or
administrative agency decision or ruling which is based, in whole
or in part, on foreign law or legal code that would not grant the
parties affected by the decision or ruling the same rights
granted under the Missouri Constitution or the United States
Constitution will violate the public policy of Missouri and be
void.

A contract which provides for the choice of law or legal code to
govern any dispute which does not grant the same rights under the
Missouri Constitution or the United States Constitution will
violate the public policy of Missouri and be void.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2012, FY 2013, and
FY 2014.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will ensure that
Missourians receive all rights granted under the Missouri
Constitution and the United States Constitution.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Curtman.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the bill will
complicate the ability of Missourians to enter into contacts with
international businesses.

Testifying against the bill were Vanessa Crawford, Jewish
Community Relations Council and Council on American Islamic
Relations of St. Louis; and American Civil Liberties Union -
Eastern Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
96th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 9, 2011 at 1:24 pm