Governor Brian Kemp announced his promise to deliver meaningful lawsuit abuse reform legislation to lower costs for Georgians, which was met with excitement and enthusiasm from a broad range of groups and leaders. One reporter cited that the legislation prompted “one of the most crowded press conferences I’ve seen in years at the Gold Dome”.
Kemp explained that his new tort reform legislation will “establish basic guidelines for litigation funds that protect consumers and plaintiffs from predatory practices like bogus fees or sky-high interest rates, and make third-party litigation or agreements discoverable by the other party in a case,” meaning that there will be more transparency and accountability within the personal injury legal system, and help eliminate hidden costs.
Kemp also underscored the impact tort reform will have on families and all Georgians: “Grocery stores, hospitals, road pavers, small business owners, truckers, restaurants, mom and pop stores, retailers, gas stations, doctors, child care facilities, and hard-working Georgians across our state are all telling us the same thing: Georgia needs tort reform, and they need it now.”
Georgia Representative Mike Collins and Senator John F. Kennedy voiced their commitment to helping the new legislation pass in the state legislature, and for broad support of the initiative.
The Georgia Healthcare Associate (GHCA), Georgia Motor Trucking Association and Georgians for Lawsuit Reform all expressed their support for Kemp’s legislation, showing there is enthusiasm and support for tort reform across a wide set of industries.
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones spoke at the press conference on Thursday, noting the new legislation is “not an anti-lawyer bill. This is not a pro-big insurance company bill. This is a pro-Georgia consumer bill.”
With Governor Kemp and groups across the state working together to pass this new legislation, a more transparent justice system is possible.