February 27, 2025
www.gfb.org
Vol. 7 No. 4
GFB HOLDS SPRING COMMODITY MEETING TO DISCUSS AG ISSUES Members of Georgia Farm Bureau’s Commodity Advisory Committees met at the organization’s home office in Macon on Feb. 24 to discuss issues their respective commodities are facing and to review the organization’s policy pertaining to their crops or livestock. GFB has 20 commodity committees – one for each of the major crops or livestock Georgia farmers produce, one for agritourism and direct marketing venues, and one for ag water issues. During a lunch program, committee members heard from James Beal, executive director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform regarding tort reform legislation the Georgia General Assembly is considering this session at the request of Gov. Brian Kemp. Beal explained that the goal of tort reform is to bring balance to the legal system and keep lawsuits from getting out of control. Beal said there are a few key areas where tort reform change is needed in Georgia, such as stopping phantom damages where people claim more money than they actually lost, premises liability (ensuring property owners aren’t unfairly blamed for accidents), seat belt “gag rules” (this would allow evidence to be presented to a jury if a plaintiff was not wearing a seat belt, which is currently not allowed), and third-party litigation funding where outside investors fund lawsuits to make a profit or gain intellectual property. Fixing these issues would help reduce lawsuit abuse, lower costs for businesses, and make sure Georgia’s legal system is fair for everyone—not just those seeking a big payout. “When you have these sorts of abuses in the legal system, you see unpredictability in the law and it drives up insurance rates for businesses,” Beal said. “What the governor is trying to do with tort reform is to put standards into law and to shine light on these third-party litigation groups. It’s frivolous lawsuits that we want to cut down on and make it fair for all parties. If this is an issue that you care about, it’s vital that you contact your state representatives and ask them to support these bills, especially your state House members.” Last week the Georgia Senate passed SB 68 - introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon)which contained most of Gov. Kemp’s comprehensive tort reform proposals: preventing people from claiming more damages than they actually lost, limiting premises liability to prevent property owners from being unfairly blamed for accidents, and allowing evidence to be presented if a plaintiff was not wearing a seatbelt. SB 68 has now moved to the Georgia House for consideration. -continued on the next page