Jon Burns, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, said that Governor Brian Kemp's signing of lawsuit reform represents a historic step toward balancing the courtroom and ensuring insurance stability while protecting legitimate claims. Burns made this statement in a post on X.
"It was a historic day as Gov. Kemp took the final step to codify lawsuit reform," said Burns, Speaker of the House. "I'm proud of the work done in the House to return balance to our courtrooms and stability to our insurance markets—all while upholding the rights of individuals with legitimate claims."
On April 21, Governor Kemp signed a comprehensive tort reform package into law, describing it as a historic move to restore fairness and balance in Georgia’s civil justice system. The legislation includes reforms on premises liability, medical damages transparency, curbing excessive jury awards, bifurcated trials, and limits on third-party litigation funding—particularly from foreign adversaries. Key legislative leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Speaker Burns, praised the bipartisan effort to deliver reforms aimed at transparency, fairness, and economic competitiveness. Kemp credited lawmakers and the support of Georgia citizens for driving the long-overdue reform to completion.
Burns' April 21 statement
| X.com
Georgia lawmakers have passed a significant tort reform measure intended to address the state’s designation as a "Judicial Hellhole." According to the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), President Tiger Joyce noted that the reforms specifically target issues contributing to Georgia’s negative legal reputation. The legislation is viewed as a step toward reducing frivolous lawsuits and improving fairness in the state's courts.
On February 7, 2025, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a poll revealing that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. This sentiment was shared across party lines with significant agreement among Republicans, Independents, and Democrats. The survey also indicated that 85% of voters consider it crucial for the Legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Additionally, there is substantial support for reforms among those who have used personal injury lawyers.
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 creating an increasing financial burden on households, impacting insurance premiums and overall cost of living. In 2022, these costs totaled nearly $20 billion in the state.
Jon Burns is the 75th Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives representing the 159th District. First elected in 2004, he became Speaker in 2023 and serves as the House’s chief administrative officer.