Houston Daily

Texans for Lawsuit Reform announced on its website that Georgia, once labeled a "Judicial Hellhole," is now a "Tort Reform Trailblazer" after passing Senate Bills 68 and 69 to curb abusive litigation and increase transparency in third-party funding.

According to Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Georgia’s civil justice turnaround underscores how swiftly comprehensive reforms can reverse a state’s reputation for lawsuit abuse. The group highlighted that the bipartisan effort led by Governor Brian Kemp and state legislators successfully curtailed abusive litigation tactics that had previously drawn criticism from the American Tort Reform Foundation. Texans for Lawsuit Reform pointed to Georgia’s reforms as an example for Texas lawmakers to follow, showing that meaningful legislative action can restore balance to the courts and safeguard both families and businesses from manipulation by trial lawyers.

According to the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), Georgia Senate Bill 68 addresses long-standing abuses by prohibiting "phantom damages" and banning "jury anchoring," practices that inflate award amounts through speculative or exaggerated claims. ATRA President Tiger Joyce said that these reforms promote fairness by ensuring juries are presented with factual evidence rather than inflated estimates. He praised Governor Kemp’s "bold leadership" in working with lawmakers to pass reforms that "tackle abusive litigation practices and increase transparency," positioning Georgia as a national model for responsible tort reform.

As reported by Bloomberg Law, Senate Bill 69 in Georgia establishes one of the nation’s most comprehensive frameworks for regulating third-party litigation funding. The law requires full disclosure of all litigation funders, prohibits foreign-backed entities from influencing court proceedings, and restricts funders from directing legal strategy or settlement decisions. Bloomberg Law noted that this reform enhances judicial transparency and curbs potential conflicts of interest, setting a new standard for ethical litigation finance in U.S. courts.

According to its official website, Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) is a bipartisan advocacy organization founded in 1994 to promote fairness, accountability, and predictability in the Texas civil justice system. The organization works to reduce frivolous lawsuits, ensure judicial transparency, and advocate for reforms that protect small businesses and Texas families from predatory legal practices. Texans for Lawsuit Reform publishes legislative analyses, public policy research, and reform advocacy to support a balanced legal environment and a stronger state economy.