Josh McKay, a Republican candidate for Georgia State Senate District 7, has expressed support for tort reform in Georgia, emphasizing that it is long overdue. He commended Governor Brian Kemp for prioritizing the issue. McKay's statement was made on the social media platform X on March 11.
"It's embarrassing that Georgia, a supposedly red state, is one of the last to do tort reform," said McKay. "Thanks to Governor Kemp for finally making this a priority."
According to the legislature, Senate Bill 68 serves as the primary tort reform measure aimed at addressing various aspects of civil litigation in Georgia. The bill includes provisions such as premises liability reform, truth in medical damages, seatbelt admissibility in auto accident cases, and restrictions on plaintiffs’ attorneys suggesting large damage amounts to juries. It also introduces trial bifurcation, requiring liability to be established before damages are considered, and eliminates the possibility of double recovery of attorney fees. After over four hours of discussion, the bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with an 8-3 vote.
In a press release, Governor Brian Kemp said that 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.
According to Ballotpedia, Josh McKay is a Republican politician who ran for election to the Georgia State Senate to represent District 7 but lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.