Big I New York has joined a diverse coalition of business and industry groups in calling on State Lawmakers to oppose the “Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable (FAIR) Business Practices Act." The so-called FAIR Act would upend existing consumer protection law by dramatically expanding the instances in which lawsuits can be filed for “unfair" and “deceptive" acts and practices.
The bill has the support of State Attorney General Letitia James who just last week was joined by bill sponsors State Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblymember Micah Lasher at a rally to push the bill over the finish line before lawmakers leave Albany on June 12.
“While we support protecting consumers and holding bad actors accountable, this bill would significantly expand the risk of profit-driven contingency fee law firms filing speculative lawsuits to coerce settlements," stated the coalition letter to lawmakers. “If this bill were to pass, it would be deeply harmful to the state’s business climate and the integrity of the civil justice system."
The full letter can be found here. Grassroots advocacy opposing the bill is possible in the coming weeks.