In Brief: Both Houses Pass Bill to Curb Y2K Lawsuits

The Senate voted 81-18 last week for a bill to reduce year-2000 litigation.

The House had approved the same bill, 404-24, on Thursday. President Clinton, whose aides helped shape the compromise legislation, is expected to sign it into law shortly.

The bill would give companies 90 days to fix a year-2000 problem before an injured party could sue. It would also cap punitive damages for small businesses, steer large class actions into federal court, and encourage mediation and other alternatives to litigation.

Separately, the Senate Finance Committee last week approved the nominations of three Treasury Department appointees.

By voice vote, the committee endorsed Stuart E. Eizenstat to be deputy secretary, Jeffrey Rush Jr. to be inspector general, and Lewis A. Sachs to be assistant secretary for financial markets.

The Senate must confirm the nominations. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said a vote had not been scheduled and would not occur until after the July 4 recess. Congress resumes work July 12.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER