NFIB, a national organization that advocates for small businesses, will present its Guardian of Small Business Award to state Sen. John Kennedy on Thursday in Macon. The award ceremony will take place during a roundtable event co-hosted by NFIB and the Community Bankers Association of Georgia at Fresh Air Bar-B-Que from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Members of the media are invited to attend.
The Guardian of Small Business Award is given to lawmakers who have shown strong leadership and support for small businesses. According to NFIB, the Georgia Leadership Council—a board made up of NFIB members—chose to honor Kennedy for his sponsorship of Senate Bills 68 and 69, both aimed at protecting small businesses in Georgia from what they describe as abusive lawsuits.
Senate Bill 68 addresses concerns about phantom damages and premises liability in legal cases involving small businesses. Phantom damages occur when reimbursement is sought for medical bills that were never actually paid. The new law allows juries to see only the actual amount paid rather than just the billed amount when determining damages.
Senate Bill 69 targets third-party litigation financing, where outside investors fund lawsuits in exchange for part of any settlement awarded. Under this law, such groups must register with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, are prohibited from influencing how or when a case is settled, and jurors must be informed about who is funding the lawsuit.
“Georgia’s small businesses have waited a long time for meaningful lawsuit reform, and we’re very grateful to Sen. Kennedy for leading the way on these important changes,” said NFIB State Director Hunter Loggins. “These bills will help level the playing field, lower legal costs, and protect small-business owners from abusive lawsuits that hurt growth.”
“I’m proud to present this award to Sen. Kennedy on behalf of our members in Senate District 18 and across the state,” Loggins added.
