Her bill would bar class-action suits.

The company also said that the decision barred suits in which plaintiffs could have recovered simply by proving negligence.

The 11th Amendment generally bars suits against states in Federal court.

The Supreme Court has long interpreted this principle as barring suits by a state's own citizens as well.

The Court has long since interpreted the amendment as also barring suits in Federal courts by people against their own state.

The inability to opt out of litigation releases that bar future suits was an important point of contention.

The companies maintain that a federal law not only barring future suits but also voiding those already filed would withstand challenge.

Proposition 200 would bar suits, except when drunken driving is a factor.

The constitutional provision at issue was the 11th Amendment, which bars suits by individuals against states in Federal court.

Mr. McCollum countered that the bill could be drafted to bar such suits.