Mike Collins, Georgia District 10 State Representative, has expressed his support for Governor Brian Kemp and other state legislators in their pursuit of tort reform. This initiative aims to amend the state's civil litigation system. Collins made this statement on the social media platform X on January 30.
"Proud to stand with our Governor as he and our Georgia legislators fight for the tort reform our state so desperately needs," said Collins, District 10 GA State Representative.
According to Collins's post, Governor Kemp announced a tort reform package designed to overhaul Georgia’s legal framework. Unveiled on January 30, the proposal intends to curb lawsuit abuse, stabilize insurance costs, and improve transparency in civil litigation. The package proposes measures such as capping excessive damages, revising liability standards, and addressing foreign influence in legal proceedings. Kemp emphasized that these reforms are essential for consumer protection, business support, and maintaining Georgia’s reputation as a leading state for business.
Rep. Collins's X post
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A report from the Insurance Information Institute (III) indicates that excessive litigation has been a factor in rising auto insurance premiums. The report notes that legal system costs escalate when attorneys pursue cases aggressively. It also highlights third-party litigation funding, where external investors finance lawsuits in exchange for a share of the settlement.
In 2023, Georgia was ranked as the nation's top "Judicial Hellhole" by the American Tort Reform Association. The association cited issues such as disproportionate "nuclear" verdicts and broad premises liability as contributing factors to increased insurance costs and economic challenges for businesses operating within the state.
Rep. Mike Collins was born on July 2, 1967, in Jackson, Georgia. He is the son of former U.S. Representative Mac Collins and holds a bachelor's degree in business from Georgia State University, obtained in 1990. In the early 1990s, Collins and his wife Leigh Ann founded a trucking company that now employs over 100 Georgians and operates nationwide. Before his election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia's 10th Congressional District in 2023, Collins served as chairman of one of Georgia's largest credit unions and president of his local Chamber of Commerce. In Congress, he is a member of the Freedom Caucus and serves on several committees including Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology; and Transportation and Infrastructure.