Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King has described the state's legal climate as a hidden tax on families and small businesses, endorsing Governor Brian Kemp's new tort reform package. This statement was made in a press release dated January 30.
"For a long time now, I've said that Georgia's legal climate amounts to a hidden tax on families and small businesses, driving up costs and threatening our long-term future," said King, according to Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. "That's the message we've heard across the entire state, too. The plan Governor Kemp is rolling out today will tackle a failed status quo, level the playing field in our courtrooms, and help ensure Georgia's long-term prosperity and security. I'm all-in to help him get it across the finish line."
According to the press release, King's endorsement of Governor Kemp’s tort reform package is aimed at reducing litigation costs, stabilizing insurance rates, and creating a more balanced legal system in Georgia. The proposal includes reforms such as premises liability adjustments to ensure businesses are only accountable for conditions they control, medical damage calculations to prevent inflated claims, and guidelines for jury awards to deter attorneys from using arbitrary comparisons in pain and suffering cases. Additionally, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency in third-party litigation funding and prohibit foreign adversaries from exploiting Georgia’s legal system.
A study by The Perryman Group estimates that excessive tort costs result in $13 billion in lost economic activity annually in Georgia. This amounts to what is termed a "tort tax" of approximately $1,303 per resident, driven by litigation expenses, high damage awards, and increased insurance premiums.
Commissioner John F. King was sworn in as Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner on July 1, 2019. He was elected to a full four-year term on November 8, 2022, becoming the state’s first Hispanic statewide official. Prior to this role, he served as Chief of Police for the City of Doraville and worked with the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) as a Task Force Agent. King is also a retired Major General in the U.S. Army with deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. He served as a military advisor in Afghanistan overseeing 96,000 police officers. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree from Brenau University, a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and he is a graduate of Harvard University’s Senior Executives in National Security program.