James Beal, executive director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform, said that tort reform would protect farmers from frivolous claims and other forms of lawsuit abuse. Beal made the statement in a post on the social media platform X on February 24.
"Farmers heard from me but more importantly they shared their own stories," said Beal. "Looking forward to the House hearing about the abuses and frivolous claims they've had to endure. Tort reform will provide relief for those working hard to give food and shelter to the rest of us."
According to a weekly legislative report by the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), the organization has expressed its support for Governor Brian Kemp's tort reform initiatives. The report highlights the negative impact of the current legal climate on farmers and small businesses and emphasizes Kemp's commitment to passing meaningful tort reform to address issues such as rising insurance premiums and frivolous lawsuits.
Beal's Feb 24 statement
| X.com
The GFB reported that its members gathered at the Capitol on February 11 to advocate for key issues, including tort reform. During meetings with legislators, they stressed the need for legal reforms to protect farmers and small businesses from excessive litigation. GFB President Tom McCall urged members to engage with their representatives to support policies fostering a fairer legal environment.
On February 7, 2025, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a poll indicating that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, 2025, found bipartisan agreement across Republicans (88%), Independents (64%), and Democrats (62%). Additionally, it revealed that 85% of voters consider it important for the Legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Furthermore, 82% of individuals who have used personal injury lawyers support reforms to the current system.
A study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform on January 24 found that rising tort costs in Georgia are placing a growing financial burden on households, impacting insurance premiums and overall cost of living. In 2022, the state’s tort costs reached nearly $20 billion, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses stem from civil litigation, claim compensation, and administrative costs affecting both businesses and consumers.
James W. Beal is currently serving as executive director for Georgians for Lawsuit Reform. Before joining GLR, he worked as general counsel in the Senate President Pro Tempore's office and served as policy director in the Georgia Lieutenant Governor’s Office. He also held constituent services and communications roles in the Deal Administration. Beal holds both a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Georgia State University.