Gov. Brian P. Kemp along with state leaders recently convened with a clutch of small business heads for a roundtable discussion in Georgia, zooming in on civil litigation policies that are claimed to be pinching the state's businesses and its workforce. The meeting inaugurated a series of dialogues Gov. Kemp aims to roll out across the Peach State, a strategic play that sets the chessboard for potential policy proposals in the next legislative cycle. "A little over a year ago, I announced my intention to work toward common-sense lawsuit reform," Kemp pronounced, according to the Governor's Office.
Fueling last session's legislative gears, the Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act emerged as a cornerstone for such reforms, data being its scaffolding. This act, along with SB 426 and SB 83, laid the groundwork for legislation targeting the perils of civil litigation. Carried by the governor's Floor Leader Rep. Will Wade, these measures are part of a broader venture to hedge against shooting costs induced by civil litigation, as noted in the press release. Inviting stakeholders to the ground level, Kemp underscored that all sectors influenced by the lawsuit reform will be heard throughout this venture.
Spiral insurance rates and challenging litigation climates were touched upon by several industry representatives during the roundtable. Peter Skiko of the National Association of Security Companies hinted at a dual hurdle - a wave of lawsuits and prohibitive insurance costs in Georgia. Skiko, together with others like John Triplett of the Georgia Food Industry Association, emphasized the potential reverberations on businesses, pontificating closures and looming food deserts as consequences of unbridled liability insurance costs, as reported in the governor's press release.
Roundtable participants were straightforward about how the civil litigation climate affects small businesses and Georgia communities. With price inflation impacting the national economy, Kemp and the General Assembly aim to reduce this burden for Georgians. The discussion, detailed on the governor's website, focused on key business concerns and explored legislative solutions to alleviate these issues.
