Greg Dolezal, the District 27 Senator for Georgia, said that Florida's tort reform has resulted in lower insurance rates and attracted new insurers. He expressed hope that Georgia would achieve similar outcomes with its proposed reforms. This statement was made during a Senate hearing on February 21.
"GEICO has filed for a 10.5% rate decrease this year in the state of Florida," said Dolezal, District 27 GA Senator. "Why? Because 11 new insurance companies have entered the market in the state of Florida. And we hope that is what will happen here in the state of Georgia. They were in a similar state. They passed tort reform. What did it do? It addressed phantom damages. It addressed premises liability. It addressed a number of other things."
According to Dolezal, his remarks were part of Georgia's ongoing debate over the potential of tort reform to address rising insurance costs. He highlighted Florida's experience as evidence that such reforms can stabilize premiums and foster market competition, contrasting it with states like California. This discussion aligns with Governor Brian Kemp's prioritization of tort reform in the 2025 legislative session to alleviate economic pressures on Georgia families and businesses.
In 2023, the American Tort Reform Association ranked Georgia as the nation's top "Judicial Hellhole," citing issues such as excessive "nuclear" verdicts and expansive premises liability. These legal challenges have been identified as contributing factors to increased insurance costs and economic burdens on businesses operating within the state.
Governor Brian Kemp, in a press release, said Senate Bill 68 is a necessary step to reform Georgia’s legal system and prevent lawsuit abuse. "These reforms will create a fairer business environment," Kemp said. He added that the legislation "ensures a balanced legal process" by reducing unnecessary litigation costs and protecting businesses from excessive legal burdens. Kemp urged lawmakers to continue advocating for these changes to strengthen the state's legal framework.
Dolezal has represented District 27 in the Georgia State Senate as a Republican since 2019, covering parts of Forsyth and Dawson counties. According to the Georgia Senate, before entering politics, he was a small business owner specializing in real estate development, providing him with firsthand knowledge of economic policy effects.