Georgia Lawmakers Debate Key Legislation as 2025 Session Nears Final Weeks

Staff Report

On Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Gold Dome for Legislative Day 32, ready to resume our work on behalf of the people we serve. With only a few legislative days remaining in this year’s session, we are fully focused on advancing meaningful legislation that will deliver real results for our communities and our state. With just two weeks remaining until Sine Die on Friday, Apr. 4^th, I want to highlight some important measures we addressed during the 10^th week of the 2025 legislative session.

The House passed Senate Bill 68, a measure that would revise several areas of civil law-otherwise known as “Tort Reform”. The majority of our Democratic Caucus voted against this bill and here is why:

Hurts Victims of Drunk Driving, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking and Crime

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) opposes this bill because it makes it harder for victims of drunk drivers to get justice.

Victims of rape and sexual assault would be required to testify 3 times about their trauma, re-traumatizing and humiliating them repeatedly (bifurcation).

It also weakens protections for victims of sex trafficking and violent crime by making it nearly impossible to hold negligent businesses accountable when they are on notice that their property is unsafe and FAIL to do enough to protect the public.

Ties the Hands of Juries and Judges

Currently, Georgia law allows a victim’s attorney to suggest a fair amount for pain and suffering in court. SB 68 takes away that right, making it harder for victims to get full compensation.

Juries make these decisions every day. This bill limits their ability to do their job fairly.

Is a Corporate Giveaway Disguised as ‘Reform’

Business and corporate special interests are pushing this bill, but there’s no evidence it will lower insurance premiums for regular Georgians.

What it will do is help corporations and wrongdoers avoid paying what they owe when they harm someone.

The Bottom Line

SB 68 is not about fairness. It is a direct attack on the rights of injured Georgians, victims of crime, and their families to have their day in court.

Other bills the House passed last week:

The Dignity and Pay Act, bipartisan legislation which would prohibit the Georgia Department of Labor from offering exemptions to minimum wage laws for individuals with disabilities. Senate Bill 55 would further prohibit employers from utilizing certificates issued by the U.S. Department of Labor that allow companies to pay individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities below the minimum wage.

SB 109 would prevent group life insurance policies in our state from excluding or limiting liability for the death of an insured active-duty service member, unless the death is directly or indirectly caused by war or a related act or hazard.

The House gave final passage to Senate Bill 58, the Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act, which would allow for the licensing and operation of emergency organ transport vehicles as ambulance services to transport necessary personnel, organs, tissue or medical supplies to a time-critical organ transplant procedure.

My House colleagues and I will return to the State Capitol on Tuesday, Mar. 25^th for the 11^th week of the 2025 legislative session. We are in the final stages of advancing legislation that could soon become law. I encourage you to stay engaged and keep track of the legislation that affects our community and your family.