Bill Sharer, a State Senator for New Mexico District 1, has accused Democratic lawmakers of enabling trial attorneys to exploit the legal system for personal and political gain. This assertion was made in a press release on March 18.
"We see this bill for exactly what it is and highlighted that for the people of New Mexico during our debate tonight," said Sharer, New Mexico State Senator. "While we push out our state's doctors, law enforcement officers, and higher education graduates, trial attorneys flourish while Democrat lawmakers game the system for only their benefit. This is disgraceful and calls into question the ethics of the lawmakers pushing this legislation."
Senate Bill 318 (SB0318) aims to address frivolous claims by mandating that courts award attorney fees and costs to defendants when a plaintiff knowingly initiates a groundless action under the Unfair Practices Act. Specifically, Section 5(C) of the bill stipulates that if a court determines that a party brought an action they knew was groundless at the time it was initiated, the court shall award attorney fees and costs to the defending party.
According to Nevadans for Fair Recovery, lawsuit abuse in Nevada is contributing to the state’s affordability crisis. Excessive litigation is reportedly driving up everyday costs and deterring business investment. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce states that Nevadans pay over $4,600 more per household annually due to hidden legal system costs, and the state loses an estimated 31,000 jobs each year. Despite this situation, trial lawyers have donated over $4.5 million to Nevada politicians since 2017. Advocacy groups like Nevadans for Fair Recovery are urging lawmakers to prioritize working families over special interests and pass reforms to curb abusive lawsuits.
In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive directive targeting what he labeled "frivolous" lawsuits. He instructed federal agencies to seek sanctions against attorneys bringing litigation he deems abusive, according to Mother Jones.
The New Mexico Senate Republicans report that Senator Sharer, a New Mexico native and former U.S. Army officer, has represented Farmington and surrounding areas in the State Senate since 2001 while also running successful local businesses.