NEWS

Two bills that brought more balance to Georgia’s civil litigation process were boosted this week as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlighted “the need for reform” in a message to its members. View the message HERE.

The major reform bill, Senate Bill 68, was assigned to a newly formed subcommittee in the House, and more than six hours of testimony were heard this week.

Monday’s meeting covered changes to premises liability, while Tuesday’s session covered phantom damages. Both proponents and opponents were given ample opportunity to provide their side of the story, and committee members asked each side pointed questions. All interested parties are now waiting to see the subcommittee’s next move.

While continuing to work on these statewide issues, our legislative delegation has several local bills to address before the session’s final day on April 4. The Chamber’s legislative agenda included a proposal to add members to the Chatham Area Transit board to recognize the additional areas that now receive CAT service (Port Wentworth) and ensure representation from the perspective of the new ferries that will go into operation soon and the activities at the newly expanded Savannah Convention Center.

Finally, two separate bills that establish the Interagency Council on Homelessness and clarifies the role of the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless have been endorsed by both the Savannah City Council and the Chatham County Commission and will need to be approved at the State Capitol as local bills.