Burt Jones, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, said that new legislation will reduce hidden legal costs and promote fairness for citizens and businesses.
“My position on this important issue has not changed – these are not anti-lawyer or pro-insurance bills, these are pro-Georgia bills,” said Jones. “It is clear that the environment we are in right now is not playing well consistently and something had to change to level the playing field. These bills ensure that we put Georgia families and consumers first by tackling the hidden costs we have all been paying thanks to Georgia’s current tort laws. These much-needed reforms, which I was proud to support, strike a balance by stabilizing insurance costs for businesses and consumers, while increasing transparency and fairness for all Georgia citizens.”
In 2025, Georgia enacted Senate Bills 68 and 69 to overhaul the state’s civil justice system, igniting significant political debate over court access and economic impact. According to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the legislation aims to address high litigation costs by capping attorney fees, regulating third-party funding, and limiting liability in certain cases. Supporters, including Governor Brian Kemp, argue it will curb abusive lawsuits and improve Georgia’s business climate. Critics warn it could restrict legal recourse for injured parties.
Georgia’s tort system imposed a $20 billion cost on its economy in 2022, equivalent to 2.6% of the state’s GDP, according to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. This translated to approximately $5,050 per household due to frequent large jury awards and high insurance costs. These figures were cited by advocates of the 2025 tort reforms as justification for tightening litigation rules and limiting excessive damages.
A report by Gen Re indicated that tort litigation in Georgia has grown faster than the national average, with higher per capita case filings and more frequent large verdicts. This trend has contributed to increased insurance premiums and broader business concerns. The state’s 2025 tort reforms were introduced partly in response to these discrepancies in litigation outcomes compared to national norms.
According to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Burt Jones has served as Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor since 2023 and previously held a state Senate seat for a decade. A graduate of the University of Georgia and former business owner, Jones is known for supporting pro-business legislation and legal system reforms. He has publicly endorsed the 2025 tort reform bills as critical to limiting abusive lawsuits and reducing costs for Georgia businesses.
