Georgia House Passes Insurance Reform Bill Amidst Fierce Debate
After months of heated discussion, a bill proposing significant insurance reforms cleared the Georgia House of Representatives by a razor-thin margin: a single vote. Senate Bill 68, a key priority for Governor Brian Kemp during the 2025 Legislative Session, aims to limit lawsuits and establish what supporters call a more balanced legal landscape in Georgia’s courts.
Proponents of the legislation argue that curbing frivolous lawsuits and payouts would lead to lower insurance rates for both businesses and consumers. Their argument rests on the idea that Georgia, as a leading state for business, cannot be perceived as a “judicial hellhole,” where payouts are excessively high.
“We live in a society now where nothing is your fault anymore,” said Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in January, reflecting the perspective of some supporters. “Insurance is set up to make you whole. That’s the definition of it. It is not a lottery ticket.”
Notably, despite the Republican majority, several Democrats crossed party lines to support the bill. Three Democrats, Representatives Michelle Au, Mack Jackson, and Carl Gillard voted in favor. Tyler Paul Smith, Chairman of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, was among the Republicans who voted against the bill.
Governor Kemp praised the efforts of Speaker Jon Burns in overcoming the legislative hurdles.
“Thanks to the hard work of Speaker Jon Burns and his chamber, today we’ve taken another major step towards enacting meaningful tort reform in Georgia,” Kemp stated on social media. “As we keep working for final passage, thank you to all those helping to stabilize runaway costs and return true fairness to our courtrooms.”
Key Provisions of the Bill
The House version of the bill includes specific provisions for victims of sex trafficking. Additionally, it allows for a trial phase split, where responsibility is determined first, followed by the assessment of damages, with any additional penalties decided last. Plaintiffs can only seek compensation for medical expenses deemed “necessary and reasonable.” Furthermore, the bill prohibits lawyers from informing the jury on the specific amount of money they believe a plaintiff should receive for pain and suffering, leaving the decision solely to the jury.
Opposition Voices
Critics of Senate Bill 68 contend that it addresses a problem that does not exist. State Representative Tanya Miller, representing the Minority House Caucus, shared her personal motivation for becoming a lawyer: to advocate for her mother. During the debate, she criticized the narrative that Georgia is a “judicial hellhole.” She also disputed the idea that high insurance payouts hinder small businesses.
Miller described Senate Bill 68 as a “Sham”, noting the repeated arguments about “jackpot verdicts” and a judicial system out of control, stating,
“You’re going to tell me, it’s okay if you’re a 12 year old girl who’s been sex trafficked, you can still go to court,” Miller said. “Why? Because you have the political favor? You are the political du jour? But, a 12 year old who just got raped in the stairwell of an apartment complex. Who knew they had a dangerous condition and failed to do anything? Well, ‘I’m sorry, my dear, the courthouse doors for you are closed.’”
Several Democrats expressed strong opposition to the measure, including State Representative Stacey Evans from Atlanta, who criticized her fellow Democrats who voted in favor of the bill.
“This bill is bad for people. This bill is bad for victims. So not only did they break a caucus position, which undermines our ability as a caucus to move forward to the majority, but they let down their voters, and I hope their voters will make them account for it,” Evans said during a press conference.
What’s Next?
The legislation will now return to the Senate for further deliberation. Speaker Burns remains optimistic about its ultimate passage.
“The common-sense solutions provided by Senate Bill 68 protect the rights of Georgians who have been harmed while ensuring that the scales of justice in our courtrooms are fair and balanced,” Burns said. “We look forward to working alongside the Senate to champion this critical lawsuit reform across the finish line.”
However, Senate Democrats are preparing for a vigorous opposition. Senator Derek Mallow stated his commitment to never supporting legislation that he believes goes against the interests of working Georgians.
“Until I see a bill that holds the insurance companies accountable,” Mallow says. “I see a bill that says if you have health insurance and you’re in an auto accident, they can’t deny your claim. Until they cannot play the game of ‘delay, deny, defend’, until that happens, I will never vote for a bill that goes against the working folks in this state.”
