Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, said that the state’s current legal system is detrimental to families and businesses and requires reform. This statement was issued in a press release from the Governor’s Office on January 30.
Kemp’s remarks follow his 2025 State of the State address, where he initially indicated his intention to pursue civil justice reform. On January 30, Kemp formally introduced a tort reform package aimed at protecting the rights of all Georgians while promoting fairness in legal proceedings. The proposal reflects input gathered over several months from residents, businesses, and industry stakeholders.
“As I said in my State of the State address earlier this month, our legal environment is draining family bank accounts and hurting job creators of all sizes in nearly every industry in our state,” said Brian Kemp.
Kemp’s endorsement of the tort reform package signals a policy priority for the 2025 legislative session as concerns about litigation costs and business liability have grown across the state.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), Georgia’s tort costs totaled $20 billion in 2022, representing 2.60% of the state’s GDP. On average, this amounted to $5,050 per household. These costs include settlements, legal fees, and related expenses.
State officials have linked civil litigation to higher insurance premiums for businesses and individuals. These costs are cited as affecting industries such as healthcare and transportation. The proposed legislation includes changes to damage calculations and procedural rules in an effort to address these costs, Wabe reports.
According to Kemp, “After months of listening to our citizens, businesses, and stakeholders across the spectrum, it is clear the status quo is unacceptable, unsustainable, and jeopardizes our state’s prosperity in the years to come. This tort reform package protects the rights of all Georgians to have access to our civil justice system and ensures that those who have been wronged receive justice and are made whole. I look forward to working with our partners in the General Assembly to pass this comprehensive and commonsense package and achieve meaningful progress on this important issue during this legislative session.”
Governor Brian Kemp is a native of Athens, Georgia, who started his first small business over 35 years ago with a pickup truck and a shovel. He was elected as Georgia’s 83rd governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. During his tenure, Georgia has been ranked as the No. 1 state for business for ten consecutive years. His administration has signed legislation related to public safety, economic policy, tax cuts, education funding, and human trafficking prevention. Kemp resides with his family on their farm in Athens.
