Christian AUSTIN – After being sent back to committee on a point of order yesterday, proponents of House Bill 2144 – legislation that seeks to restore the tort of public nuisance back to its original intent – believe the bill will be back on the calendar soon. From climate change litigation to bombarding Big Pharma with opioid lawsuits, the legal theory of public nuisance has become somewhat of a “catch all hammer” for local governments and the trial lawyers they hire. For example, in a case currently before the Texas Supreme Court, ExxonMobil is arguing California local governments are using climate change lawsuits to chill free speech and commandeer public policy.