Section 9.8 Legislative Reinstatement of Sovereign Immunity

• Library: Local Government Deskbook (2017 Ed.)

E. (§9.8) Legislative Reinstatement of Sovereign Immunity

In 1978, the legislature responded to Jones v. State Highway Commission, 557 S.W.2d 225 (Mo. banc 1977), by enacting §§ 537.600–537.650, now RSMo 2016, which reinstated and modified the doctrine of sovereign immunity. The statutes provided for the following:

· Sovereign immunity was reestablished as it existed before the Jones, 557 S.W.2d 225, decision.

· Sovereign immunity of “public entities” was waived in the following instances:

- Injuries directly resulting from the negligent operation of motor vehicles by public employees

- Injuries caused by the dangerous condition of a public entity’s property

· Political subdivisions were authorized to self-insure or to purchase liability insurance for tort claims up to a maximum amount of $800,000 for all claims from a single occurrence and $100,000 for any person in a single

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