Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, announced that Senate Bill 69, the second part of the state's Tort Reform package, passed the Senate with unanimous support and is now advancing to the House. This statement was made on X on February 27.
"Thanks to the Georgia Senate's unanimous passage of SB 69, the second half of our Tort Reform package is now on its way to the House," said Kemp. "Thank you to all those listening to hardworking businesses and job creators who are telling us we need tort reform, and we need it now."
Senate Bill 69 is a component of Georgia's comprehensive Tort Reform initiative aimed at overhauling the state's civil litigation landscape. Introduced on January 30, 2025, by Governor Kemp, the reform package seeks to address issues such as excessive litigation costs and the influence of third-party litigation financing. The legislation aims to create a more balanced legal environment for businesses and consumers alike, according to a press release from Governor Kemp.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), in 2022, Georgia’s tort costs totaled $20 billion, representing 2.60% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On average, this amounted to $5,050 per household. These costs include settlements, legal fees, and related expenses.
Kemp has a long history of public service and business experience. Before entering politics, he built his first business—Kemp Development and Construction Company—with a pickup truck and a shovel, eventually expanding his ventures to include interests in banking, farming, timber, manufacturing, and real estate. He began his political career as a Georgia State Senator from 2003 to 2007, served as Georgia's Secretary of State from 2010 to 2018, and was elected as the state's 83rd governor in 2019.