SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 26

Relief of the Estate of Mark LaGatta by the Department of Transportation
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SPONSOR
McClain
FILED BY
Stan McClain — District 9, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
Upon becoming a law
COMPANION
CS/CS/HB 6509 — SB 26 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Relief of the Estate of Mark LaGatta by the Department of Transportation; Providing for the relief of the Estate of Mark LaGatta; providing an appropriation to compensate the estate for injuries and damages sustained by Mr. LaGatta as a result of the negligence of the Department of Transportation; providing a limitation on compensation and the payment of attorney fees, etc. CLAIM WITH APPROPRIATION: $2,200,000

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Appropriates $2.2 million to pay a judgment against DOT.

Appropriates $2.2 million from the state's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation, paying Mark LaGatta's estate the remainder of a judgment left unpaid after the statutory cap on his earlier award.

The Chief Financial Officer must draw a warrant paying the full $2.2 million to the estate from the Department of Transportation's funds held in the State Treasury.

This payment, combined with what the Department of Transportation already paid under the state's standard liability cap, closes out every present and future claim from LaGatta's injuries, and caps attorney fees at 25 percent of the award.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 $2.2 million appropriated to pay the estate major

AIThe Legislature appropriates $2.2 million from the state's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation to compensate the estate for injuries and damages Mark LaGatta sustained.

“The sum of $2.2 million is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation” bill text, line 65 →
§ 2 Payment is the sole compensation for his injuries majors. 768.28

AIThe $2.2 million awarded here, combined with what the Department of Transportation already paid directly under the state's standard liability cap, is declared the complete and final compensation for every present and future claim connected to Mark LaGatta's injuries and damages.

“are intended to provide the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising out of the factual situation described in this act” bill text, line 76 →
§ 3 CFO directed to draw a warrant for the full amount moderate

AIThe Chief Financial Officer must draw a warrant paying the full $2.2 million to the estate from the Department of Transportation's funds held in the State Treasury.

“The Chief Financial Officer is directed to draw a warrant in favor of the Estate of Mark LaGatta in the amount of $2.2 million” bill text, line 69 →
§ 4 Attorney fees capped at 25 percent of the award moderate

AINo attorney working on this claim may collect more than 25 percent of the $2.2 million awarded, capping legal fees regardless of any private fee agreement the estate's representative may have made.

“The total amount paid for attorney fees relating to this claim may not exceed 25 percent of the total amount awarded under this act.” bill text, line 79 →
TIMELINE
3/5/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 6509 (Ch....
3/5/2026
Substituted CS/CS/HB 6509 -SJ 583
3/5/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 583
3/3/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/05/26
3/3/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/2/2026
Favorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0
2/25/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110...
2/13/2026
Now in Appropriations
2/12/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism,...
2/9/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation,...
2/3/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
2/3/2026
Favorable by Judiciary; YEAS 11 NAYS 0
1/29/2026
On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 02/03/26, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
1/29/2026
Now in Judiciary
1/29/2026
Recommendation: Favorable by Special Master on Claim Bills
1/13/2026
Introduced
10/6/2025
Referred to Special Master on Claim Bills; Judiciary;...
8/1/2025
Filed
12 EARLIER →
STAFF ANALYSES