Georgia House Passes SB 68, Revising Civil-procedure, Evidence and Premises-liability Rules

ATLANTA — The Georgia House of Representatives on March 20 passed Senate Bill 68, a package of changes to the state's civil practice and evidentiary rules and to premises-liability law that backers said will curb abusive litigation and opponents said will limit access to the courts for injured Georgians.

Supporters framed the bill as a procedural and evidentiary update aimed at reducing litigation costs for businesses and insurers. "This is a bill that makes reasonable revisions to our Civil Practice Act and reasonable revisions to our evidentiary code," Representative James Burchett, who presented the measure in the well, told colleagues during floor debate. He described the changes as largely technical and procedural, adding: "It's about how lawyers act in court and then how and when a person can be sought for liability for negligent security. That's that. That's it."

Critics said the statute will erect new barriers for people seeking compensation after catastrophic injuries and that it contains provisions that will not demonstrably lower insurance premiums. "There isn't a single line in this bill that requires insurance providers to reduce premiums," Representative Roberts said. Representative Al Williams, a long-time critic, warned the bill would leave some injured…