NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to limit lawsuit damages in Tennessee has passed the Senate.
The measure was approved 21-12 on Thursday after passing the House 72-24 earlier in May.
Minor differences must now be worked out between the two chambers before the legislation goes to the Republican governor.
It would place a $750,000 cap on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and raise the cap to $1 million in cases involving serious spinal cord injuries, severe burns or the death of a parent of minor children.
Punitive damages would be capped at twice the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000 - whichever is greater.
Supporters say the proposal will help job creation, while opponents argue that limiting damages in most lawsuits would unfairly target victims and free companies from needed accountability.
Voting yes were 19 Republicans and two Democrats. Voting no were 11 Democrats and one Republican.
REPUBLICANS VOTING YES:
Mae Beavers, Mt. Juliet
Mike Bell, Riceville
Stacey Campfield, Knoxville
Rusty Crowe, Johnson City
Dolores Gresham, Somerville
Jack Johnson, Franklin
Brian Kelsey, Germantown
Bill Ketron, Murfreesboro
Randy McNally, Oak Ridge
Mark Norris, Collierville
Doug Overbey, Maryville
Speaker Ron Ramsey, Blountville
Kerry Roberts, Springfield
Steve Southerland, Morristown
Jim Summerville, Dickson
Jim Tracy, Shelbyville
Bo Watson, Hixson
Jamie Woodson, Knoxville
Ken Yager, Harriman
REPUBLICANS VOTING NO:
Mike Faulk, Kingsport
DEMOCRATS VOTING YES:
Charlotte Burks, Monterey
Douglas Henry, Nashville
DEMOCRATS VOTING NO:
Tim Barnes, Adams
Andy Berke, Chattanooga
Lowe Finney, Jackson
Ophelia Ford, Memphis
Thelma Harper, Nashville
Joe Haynes, Goodlettsville
Roy Herron, Dresden
Jim Kyle, Memphis
Beverly Marrero, Memphis
Eric Stewart, Belvidere
Reginald Tate, Memphis
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