Gov. Brian Kemp announced during the 2024 Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon that he is initiating a listening tour to gather feedback from businesses regarding the impact of the state’s legal climate.
"As we gather that data, I'm ensuring we listen to all stakeholders," said Kemp, according to YouTube. "I'll be holding a listening tour to hear from subject matter experts and industry leaders on tort reform."
Kemp made the first stop on his listening tour on Aug. 22, according to a press release. He and other state leaders held a roundtable discussion with stakeholders focused on how civil litigation policies are affecting the state’s business environment. John Sambdman of the National Federation of Independent Business expressed appreciation for Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and Insurance Commissioner John King for addressing business concerns. Sambdman said "lawsuit abuse" is taking a "financial toll" on the state’s economy, particularly by making insurance too expensive for small businesses.
According to Kemp, during the Congressional Luncheon, the Georgia legislature took an initial step towards tort reform in the last legislative session with the passage of the Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act. The bill enables data collection to guide future policy on tort reform.
Excessive lawsuits are one factor contributing to Georgia’s rising car insurance rates, according to a report from the Insurance Information Institute. The report stated, "Simply put, skyrocketing legal costs play a key role in social inflation," adding that these costs accumulate from an increasing number of lawsuit filings, extended litigation, and outsized jury awards.
A report released by Insurify earlier this month found that Georgia has the tenth most expensive car insurance in the country. According to Insurify, Georgia drivers were paying an average of $2,688 annually for full coverage car insurance as of June 2024, representing a 21% increase from June 2023. Insurify projected that Georgia drivers will be paying an average of $2,893 by year-end.
Kemp took office in January 2019 and was reelected in 2022. He previously served as a state senator from 2003 to 2007 and as Georgia Secretary of State from 2010 to 2018.