John King, Georgia's state insurance commissioner, has highlighted the state's legal climate as a "hidden tax" on consumers, urging the House to pass Senate Bill 68. King made this statement in a social media post on February 24.
"I joined Governor Kemp, other state leaders, and small business owners at multiple roundtables across the entire state," said King, Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner. "At every stop, we heard the same message: The status quo is unacceptable. Georgia's legal climate is a hidden tax on consumers, and it impacts costs across the board, threatening small businesses. SB 68 passed the state Senate and is heading to the House. It's a good bill that will make a positive difference. Let's get it done."
On January 30, Commissioner King joined Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and Speaker Jon Burns to introduce the governor’s comprehensive tort reform package. The proposed legislation aims to stabilize insurance costs, increase transparency, and prevent foreign entities from exploiting legal proceedings. King emphasized that these reforms are essential for protecting consumers and businesses throughout Georgia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to maintain Georgia as a competitive and fair business environment.
King's Feb 24 statement
| X.com
According to Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a poll released on February 7, 2025, shows that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, 2025. It also found that 85% of voters consider it important for the Legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Additionally, 82% of individuals who have used personal injury lawyers support reforms to the current system.
A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform released on January 24 indicates that rising tort costs in Georgia are increasingly burdening households financially. In 2022, these costs reached nearly $20 billion in the state, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses arise from civil litigation and associated administrative costs affecting both businesses and consumers.
InsuranceRateReporter.com reported on February 18 that a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US found plaintiff lawyer tactics such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring contribute significantly to rising insurance costs. The survey estimates a $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy due to these practices. It reveals that while 69% of Americans believe these tactics increase insurance premiums, only a small portion is aware of them—75% are unfamiliar with jury anchoring and 70% do not recognize TPLF.
John F. King was sworn in as Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner on July 1, 2019, becoming the state’s first Hispanic statewide official after serving as Chief of Police for Doraville. He was elected to a full term in 2022 following his distinguished career in law enforcement.