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Majority Whip and Rep. James Burchett presents Senate Bill 68 to state House members on March 20, 2025.
Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News
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Tort reform passes Georgia House, advances closer to becoming law
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GPB's Sarah Kallis reports on the tort reform bill from the Gold Dome.
The Georgia House narrowly passed a bill Thursday that would limit civil lawsuits in the state, bringing Gov. Brian Kemp’s top legislative priority closer to becoming law.
Senate Bill 68 would limit Georgians' ability to sue businesses for crimes that occur on their property, stops attorneys from recovering fees twice for the same case, and allows separate trials for assigning responsibility and damages.
Supporters like Rep. Chaz Cannon said the bill ensures legal balance.
"This protects businesses from unjust lawsuits while maintaining accountability for genuine negligence cases," he said.
But opponents like Rep. Stacey Evans, who's an attorney, said “it ensures — and I can say this without a shadow of a doubt — that good cases will languish."
The bill passed 91 to 82 with a handful of representatives voting with another party.
The House version of the bill includes some carveouts for sex trafficking victims, so the Senate will need to approve it again before it goes to the governor’s desk.
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