Peach Tree Times

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has expressed approval following the Georgia Senate's decision to pass Senate Bill 68 with a bipartisan vote of 33-21. The bill aims to address lawsuit abuse and enhance legal protections for small businesses.

According to NFIB State Director Hunter Loggins, "Our small business members appreciate the lawmakers who stood up for small businesses and helped pass this important bill." He emphasized that the support from lawmakers is a significant step toward reforming a system that often disadvantages small business owners.

Senate Bill 68 will now proceed to the House, where NFIB members are advocating for affirmative votes from their representatives. The proposed legislation seeks to assist small businesses by capping pain and suffering damages in injury cases and ensuring special damages for medical bills reflect actual payments made by plaintiffs. Additionally, it would require juries to separately determine liability and award amounts while shielding property owners from liability for crimes they could not have prevented.

Loggins noted, "You have a right to seek damages if you’ve been harmed," but he criticized how some lawsuits exploit the system by targeting those with deeper pockets, often implicating small businesses unfairly. He further stated that lawsuit abuse increases insurance costs and diverts funds away from business expansion, hiring, and community contributions.

"Small business owners are working hard to grow and create jobs," Loggins said. "Passing this bill would give them the fairness and certainty they need to focus on serving their customers and strengthening Georgia’s economy."