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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Protect Consumers and Strengthen Legal Transparency

ATLANTA (February 27, 2025)—Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 69. Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), SB 69 introduces much-needed regulations on Third-Party Litigation Financing (TPLF) to protect consumers and ensure greater transparency in Georgia’s civil justice system.

“Our civil justice system should not be treated as a lottery where litigation financiers can bet on the outcome of a case to get a piece of a plaintiff’s award. SB 69 establishes critical safeguards for an industry that continues to expand each year,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In 2023, the U.S. commercial litigation industry controlled an estimated $15.2 billion in assets, yet there are no consumer protections in place for plaintiffs involved in these financing arrangements. This has allowed everyday Georgians to be exploited by predatory financiers, who profit at their expense.”

Sen. Kennedy continued, “Through unregulated third-party financing, foreign-affiliated financiers are manipulating our legal system and influencing court outcomes. SB 69 will require litigation financiers to register with the state before operating in Georgia and will ban foreign adversaries from engaging in litigation financing here. Right now, these firms operate with virtually no oversight. It’s time we level the playing field and ensure that our legal system serves the people—not powerful financial interests. This bill is a vital step in tort reform and a victory for consumer protection.”

Sen. Kennedy carried SB 69 on behalf of Governor Brian P. Kemp, who reaffirmed in his State of the State address last month that tort reform remains a top priority for the 2025 Legislative Session.

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.

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President Pro Tempore Sen. John F. Kennedy Commends Absenteeism Legislation Passing Senate

ATLANTA (February 26, 2025)—Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 123, a measure aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in schools across the state. Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), SB 123 would establish a localized approach, working with families, administrators and those identified as chronically absent when reviewing individual cases. Additionally, the bill would require local boards of education to implement policies for identifying and intervening with chronically absent students, ensuring a focus on the root causes of their absences.

“I’m proud to see SB 123 earn the Senate’s support, as tackling chronic absenteeism is a top priority for me this session,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Students who frequently miss school risk falling behind, jeopardizing their ability to build a strong educational foundation. With this legislation, we are taking a crucial step toward strengthening our schools and securing a brighter future for Georgia’s students.”

Georgia’s school attendance laws have not been updated since 2007, leaving gaps in how chronic absenteeism is handled at the individual level. In 2024, 21.3% of Georgia students—nearly 360,000 young people—were chronically absent, missing 10% or more of their school days. If signed into law, SB 123 would require school climate committees to develop a comprehensive framework for improving student attendance. This legislation would also establish localized attendance review teams to determine the most effective strategies for reducing absenteeism. Additionally, they would be responsible for reporting their progress to the General Assembly.

For more information about the legislation, click 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

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COLUMN: Walker: Week Six Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Larry Walker, III (R–Perry)

With Legislative Day 20 behind us, we have officially reached the halfway mark of the 2025 Legislative Session.

One of our biggest legislative priorities this session has been lawsuit reform. Reining in the costly legal environment that burdens small businesses, healthcare providers, and consumers has been long overdue, and I am proud to report that the Senate has taken a significant step forward with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 68. These commonsense reforms will help stabilize insurance costs, prevent frivolous litigation and ensure that businesses—especially small, family-owned operations—can operate without the constant threat of excessive verdicts. By curbing lawsuit abuse, we protect jobs and keep costs down for Georgia consumers. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the House to send these bills to the Governor’s desk.

This week, we also passed SB 52, the “Timberlands Recovery, Exemption, and Earnings Stability (TREES) Act,” which provides vital tax relief to timberland owners impacted by Hurricane Helene. The storm caused catastrophic damage, destroying an estimated $1.3 billion in standing timber across South Georgia. Many of these landowners depend on their timber harvest for income, and the economic impact has been devastating. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), will help stabilize the market, ease the financial strain on affected families and support the long-term recovery of Georgia’s forestry industry—one of the largest in the nation.

Another key legislative win this week was the passage of SB 89, which expands Georgia’s Child Tax Credit to provide direct financial relief to families with young children. Sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough), this bill builds on the recommendations of the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare, which spent months gathering input from working parents, childcare providers, and business leaders. The bill increases the state tax credit for childcare expenses to 40% of the federal level and creates a new tax credit for families with children under seven. Additionally, SB 89 incentivizes businesses to help employees with childcare costs by raising the employer tax credit cap from 50% to 75%. With the rising cost of childcare making it harder for parents—particularly mothers—to remain in the workforce, this legislation will provide real relief for Georgia families and help grow our state’s economy.

In addition to these major policy advancements, I introduced SB 125 to address the arduous process that professional engineers face to obtain certification. SB 125 would decouple the current sequential order of experience and examination requirements, which would allow engineers to acquire their license more quickly. This reform would also help prepare engineers to enter the Georgia workforce and advance in their careers. SB 125 was passed out of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities, and I look forward to bringing it to the Senate floor in the coming weeks.

On a personal note, I was honored to celebrate Future Farmers of America (FFA) Day on Tuesday. Georgia is home to the third-largest chapter of this excellent organization, whose work is instrumental in directing young people to the forefront of agriculture and preparing them for career success. The future of farming depends on our youth, and with the help of FFA, Georgia agriculture will continue to be our state’s top industry.

As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the 20th Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, concerns, or ideas. Your input helps shape the policies that impact our state, and I value your voice in this process.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Walker: Week Six Under the Gold DomeChairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and Wilcox counties, as well as portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Applauds Tort Reform Legislation Passing Senate

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.

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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Introduces Legislation to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

ATLANTA (February 12, 2025) — Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) recently introduced Senate Bill (SB) 123, legislation that directly addresses chronic absenteeism in Georgia schools. Chronic absenteeism is a growing issue across the state that places students at an extreme disadvantage, and SB 123 will ensure they have the resources necessary for future success inside and outside of the classroom.

“For far too long, absenteeism has affected our communities and inhibited Georgia students from reaching their full potential,” said Sen. Kennedy. “This legislation will enable local school districts to identify and implement protocols that directly address this issue, get our chronically absent students back in the classroom and ensure they have the necessary resources to build a foundation for future success.”

The number of students chronically absent in Georgia doubled between 2019 and 2023 – a clear indicator of a growing crisis across our state. In 2024, 21.7 percent of students – or nearly 360,000 young people – missed 10 percent or more school days. Georgia law addressing chronic absenteeism has not been updated in 18 years, and we must take action to give our kids a chance at a brighter future. 

SB 123 will address this growing crisis head on by prohibiting schools from expelling students solely on absenteeism, requiring local school districts to adopt policies and strategies that provide targeted support, and mandating schools to create attendance review teams that report their progress to the General Assembly. School attendance is crucial to student success, and these solutions will create a best approach forward that combats this pressing issue and puts all Georgia students, no matter their zip code, first.

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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.