Jon Burns, Speaker of the Georgia State House, expressed his intention to collaborate with House members, stakeholders, and Governor Brian Kemp to "pass meaningful tort reform." This statement was made in a post on the social media platform X on February 21.
"SB 68 has been making its way through the legislative process in the Senate, and we're looking forward to working alongside our members, stakeholders, and @GovKemp to pass meaningful tort reform when the bill crosses over for our consideration in the House," said Burns, Speaker of the House.
In a press release, Burns reiterated the House's commitment to working with Governor Kemp on significant legal reforms during this session. He noted that excessive lawsuits and rising insurance costs have long been burdensome for Georgia’s citizens, businesses, and communities.
Burns' Feb 21 statement
| X.com
On February 7, 2025, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a poll indicating that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to the rising costs of goods and services. The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, 2025. It showed bipartisan agreement on the issue: 88% of Republicans, 64% of Independents, and 62% of Democrats concurred. Furthermore, 85% of voters think the Legislature should address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Among those who have used personal injury lawyers, 82% support reforms to the current system.
A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform released on January 24 found that rising tort costs in Georgia are imposing an increasing financial burden on households by driving up insurance premiums and overall living expenses. In 2022, these tort costs amounted to nearly $20 billion in Georgia, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses arise from civil litigation claims and administrative costs affecting both businesses and consumers.
According to InsuranceRateReporter.com on February 18, a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US identified plaintiff lawyer tactics such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring as contributors to rising insurance costs. The survey estimated a $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy due to these practices. It revealed that 69% of Americans believe these tactics increase insurance premiums and that 86% support legal reforms addressing this issue. However, many respondents remain unaware of these tactics; specifically, 75% were unfamiliar with jury anchoring while 70% did not recognize TPLF.
Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington), serving as Georgia's 75th Speaker of the House since being elected in 2004 and assuming his current role in 2023, represents the state's 159th district which includes Screven County and parts of Effingham and Bulloch Counties. As Speaker, he oversees legislative proceedings and plays a pivotal role in advancing policy initiatives within Georgia.