Governor Brian Kemp signed two significant tort reform bills into law Monday, capping off a legislative session that saw vigorous debate over the future of Georgia’s civil litigation system. The newly enacted measures aim to bring greater balance to the legal environment and long-term relief to businesses, insurers, and healthcare providers across the state.
“Both of these bills accomplished our goal of leveling the playing field in Georgia’s courtrooms and ensuring our business environment remains the best in the nation,” Governor Kemp said during a signing ceremony at the State Capitol.
“They simply bring transparency and fairness to a process that has been abused for too long, that has driven up costs for businesses and consumers alike.”
The legislation marks the culmination of months of negotiation and intense debate under the Gold Dome. While the measures passed with bipartisan input, they also exposed sharp divisions over the scope and urgency of reform.
Key Provisions and Support
The centerpiece, Senate Bill 68, includes provisions that limit property owners’ liability in certain injury cases, restrict how medical damages are awarded in court, and allow juries to consider liability and damages separately by splitting trials into distinct phases.
Supporters say the reforms are a long-overdue correction to a legal climate that has become increasingly costly for businesses—particularly small enterprises and healthcare providers in rural areas.
Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, voiced cautious optimism: “It’s not an easy fix. It’s not going to lower rates for everybody tomorrow,” he said Monday. “But if it can stabilize them, I think that’s a huge win.”
Insurance Commissioner John King, a Republican widely seen as a potential U.S. Senate contender, echoed those sentiments and said the industry must now deliver results. “We’ve expended so much political currency in getting this done. Now I expect insurance companies to meet us in the middle,” King said.
Political Stakes and Legislative Battle
Kemp had made tort reform a top priority of the 2024 legislative session. In January, he warned he would call lawmakers back into special session if “meaningful, impactful” reforms weren’t passed. At one point, a top aide to the governor indicated that Kemp’s political apparatus would support primary challengers to Republican lawmakers who opposed the effort.
In the end, the bills did not pass along strict party lines. Eight Republican members of the House voted against Senate Bill 68, which narrowly passed 91-82 after some revisions.
State Sen. John F. Kennedy (R-Macon), who sponsored the bills, stood with Kemp at the signing. The reforms, he said, reflect the shared priorities of constituents who are concerned about rising insurance premiums and legal costs.
Democratic Opposition Remains Firm
Democrats, trial attorneys, and some victims’ advocacy groups opposed the bills, arguing they would limit access to justice for injured individuals.
“Congratulations to Brian Kemp for threatening and arm-twisting his way to the signing of his number one priority this year: shielding insurance companies from accountability to Georgians in court,” said Matthew Wilson, interim chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia and a practicing trial lawyer.
Rep. Tanya Miller (D-Atlanta), also an attorney, said the reforms address a problem that was overstated. “The truth is, this so-called reform was never about solving a real problem,” Miller said.
“The tort reform campaign has long been run on half-truths, selective anecdotes, and outright misinformation. There was no crisis in our judicial system, and no credible data supports the claim that injured citizens seeking justice in a court of law caused insurance premiums to spike.”
Lawmakers did amend the House version of the bill to carve out specific protections for survivors of human trafficking, but similar provisions were not extended to other victims, including children and seniors.
Rep. Stacey Evans (D-Atlanta), another attorney and leading Democratic voice on the issue, added, “Our laws should stand up for injured Georgians, not give big corporations a free pass for turning a blind eye.”
Next Steps: Insurance Study Committee
While the legislation has now become law, the discussion around insurance rates will continue. House Speaker Jon Burns announced the formation of a blue-ribbon study committee to evaluate insurance premiums and industry practices.
“Throughout the interim, the House will take another look at something that’s important: a close look at our state’s insurance markets and premiums to ensure that our fellow Georgians and companies of every size have access to coverage and are not being subjected to unjustified rate increases,” Burns said at the signing.
As Georgia’s new legal framework begins to take effect, policymakers and business leaders alike will be watching closely to see whether the reforms deliver on their promises of stability, fairness, and economic relief.
