ATLANTA (February 21, 2025)—Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 68, a sweeping reform of the state’s tort laws, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon).
“SB 68 is a major step toward reining in the excessive litigation that is driving up costs for healthcare providers, job creators, and consumers,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Since 2016, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has estimated that litigation costs have risen 7.1% per year—far outpacing inflation. Nuclear verdicts and frivolous lawsuits cost Georgia households an average of $5,035 annually. This broken system cannot continue.”
Sen. Kennedy continued, “The consequences of excessive litigation extend far beyond the courtroom. Because of rising litigation cost, small business owners are forced to lay off employees or shut down as their liability insurance premiums skyrocket. Pregnant women in rural areas must now travel over two hours to see an OB-GYN because local hospitals have been forced to close. When healthcare providers leave the state due to an unpredictable legal climate, entire communities suffer. It’s time to restore fairness and stability to our civil justice system, and today’s passage of SB 68 is a critical step in that direction.”
Sen. Kennedy sponsored and carried SB 68 on behalf of Governor Brian P. Kemp, who made tort reform his top priority for the 2025 Legislative Session in his State of the State address last month.
For more information about the legislation, read it here.
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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston counties. He may be reached at (404) 656-6578 or by email at John.Kennedy@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.