Georgia’s state constitution requires that, following the Sine Die adjournment of the General Assembly, the Governor has 40 days to sign bills into law, veto them, or allow them to become law without signature. The 40-day mark has now passed. 

One of the top issues faced by the General Assembly was addressing the problem of runaway jury verdicts in tort suits. With the signing of Senate Bill 68 and Senate Bill 69, Georgia’s civil litigation framework will be reformed by removing incentives for frivolous lawsuits that increase insurance expenses for both businesses and consumers. This legislation was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Senate Bill 68 is a comprehensive tort reform package designed to reduce excessive litigation and stabilize liability costs for businesses and consumers. It includes provisions to cap pain and suffering evidence, limit property owners' liability for injuries, and restrict special damages awarded for medical bills. Senate Bill 69 will ban governments and foreign adversaries from investing in litigation, stopping them from taking advantage of consumers and legal proceedings. 

The governor also signed two bills strengthening education and school safety. House Bill 268 offers resources aimed at improving the security of Georgia’s school facilities, while also increasing students’ access to mental health services. In addition, female athletes in Georgia can now compete without the concern of sharing fields, courts, or locker rooms with biological males. This is achieved through the Riley Gaines Act, Senate Bill 1. Governor Kemp also signed House Bill 81, creating an interstate compact for school psychologists that will increase the pool of staff in our schools. Other educational initiatives have been enacted, as well.

The governor signed legislation codifying House Bill 428. This bill codifies a person's right to in vitro fertilization, while signing House Bill 94 which mandates that all health benefit plans include coverage for standard fertility preservation services when a medically necessary treatment risks causing infertility. This legislation aims to support Georgians in starting families.

Earlier this year, Governor Kemp signed legislation delivering more than $1 billion in tax cuts and relief to hardworking Georgians. House Bill 111 accelerates the largest state income tax cut in Georgia history, lowering the income tax rate to 5.19%. House Bill 112 authorizes the delivery of $1 billion in one-time special tax refunds of up to $500 per Georgia taxpaying household. Those refund checks will start sometime after the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year beginning on July 1.

I was honored to have been named to the new Senate Study Committee in Improving Family Caregiver Services. I’ll work on the Committee to help ensure families in our community have even greater access to excellent health care.

Thank you for your continued interest in the work of our General Assembly. As your public servant, feel free to visit me at the Capitol or to reach out by phone or email. My office is 325A Coverdell Legislative Office Building, my office phone number is (404) 656-7880, and my email is ben.watson@senate.ga.gov. I look forward to continuing to serve you.