NFIB State Director Hunter Loggins today applauded the General Assembly on the final passage of Senate Bill 69, legislation that would curb lawsuit abuse and provide stronger protections for small businesses. The House agreed to the Senate version of the bill today.

“This is a great news Georgia’s small businesses,” Loggins said. “SB 69 will help stop lawsuit abuse in the state by requiring outside groups that finance someone else’s lawsuit to register with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. It will also prohibit these groups from pressuring plaintiffs on when or how to settle a case and stop foreign governments from funding others’ lawsuits in Georgia.

“Third-party litigation financing is a predatory practice that’s less about justice and more about bullying defendants into agreeing to a big settlement,” he said. “SB 69 won’t stop anyone from going to court, but it would ensure juries know who’s financing the lawsuit and ensure both sides get a fair hearing.”

This is the second major piece of tort reform legislation to pass the General Assembly this month. Lawmakers earlier passed Senate Bill 68, which will help small businesses by allowing jurors to know how much was actually paid toward medical bills along with the amount plaintiffs claim they are owed. In addition, it will ensure that juries determine liability and award amounts separately while protecting property owners from being held responsible for crimes they couldn’t prevent.

“Lawsuit abuse has driven up the cost of insurance and made it hard for many small businesses to focus on growth, job creation and supporting their communities,” Loggins said. “On behalf of our small business members, I want to thank the General Assembly for passing these two landmark pieces of legislation, and we look forward to Governor Kemp signing it into law.”