Paul Oh Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs | Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Paul Oh Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs | Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Lawmakers in Georgia returned to the Gold Dome for legislative days six through nine. On January 28, the Gwinnett Chamber Day at the Capitol saw a delegation of chamber business leaders engage with lawmakers and state leaders on important policy issues, including legal reform.
Governor Brian Kemp announced his priorities to improve Georgia's legal climate and stabilize insurance costs during a press conference held on Thursday. He was accompanied by Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, and industry leaders.
The Governor's tort reform package aims to address several key areas such as premises liability, phantom damages, bifurcated trials, anchoring, and admissible seatbelt evidence. President Pro Tempore John Kennedy from Senate District 18 will introduce two bills supporting the Governor's tort reform initiatives.
In other legislative matters:
- HB 76 proposes requiring public hearings for local transportation projects of significant impact.
- HB 111 seeks to reduce the income tax rate.
- HB 112 offers a one-time tax credit for taxpayers who filed returns for both 2023 and 2024 taxable years.
- HB 113 aims to prohibit the state or its agencies from purchasing goods from certain foreign countries or related entities.
- HB 137 intends to increase the dollar value of certain public works contracts exempt from provisions relating to retention of contractual payments.
- HB 147 requires an annual inventory of artificial intelligence usage by state agencies under the Georgia Technology Authority.
- HB 168 demands enactment of a local act for reimposition of sales and use tax (SPLOST).
Senate bills introduced include:
- SB 28: "Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025."
- SB 34: Prohibits electric utility costs incurred due to providing services to commercial data centers from being included in any rates.
- SB 37: "AI Accountability Act."
- SB 68: Provides substantive revisions regarding civil practice, evidentiary matters, damages, and liability in tort actions.
- SB 69: "Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act."
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