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Georgia House passes tort reform bill | Georgia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-20 14:05:00

(The Center Square) – Sweeping tort reform legislation in Georgia on Thursday passed the House of Representatives 91-82, with some Republicans voting against it and three Democrats supporting it.

Senate Bill 68 would limit some liability awards and protect businesses from lawsuits for acts outside of their control. The goal, according to the bill’s backers, is to ease high insurance premiums blamed on high jury awards in civil cases.

Rep. James Burchett, R- Waycross, said one business owner told him he was afraid to put his business name on his trucks for fear of a lawsuit.

“They’ve built these family-owned businesses their whole life,” Burchett said. “It takes one, it takes one piece of litigation to take everything away from them.”

Democrats have questioned Republican claims that the bill would drive down insurance costs. Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Atlanta, said not one insurance company nor did Insurance Commissioner John King testify before a House subcommittee.

King told a Senate committee he couldn’t say when rates would decline if the bill passes.

“I don’t think you’ll see an immediate one year reduction because the companies are going to watch. This has a lagging effect,” King said. “I think it is going to be a slow decline but at least we can stop the rates from increasing at the rate that they’re increasing.”

The vote comes after a compromise on some portions of the bill, including one that would exempt victims of sex trafficking from some of the new stringent terms in the legislation. Evans said the bill is unfair to other rape victims who were not trafficked.

“There’s not one line in this bill that does not allow a rape victim to bring a claim,” Burchett said. “It’s disingenuous to say so. No one in the chamber would support a bill that does that.”

Georgia ranked fourth in the American Tort Reform Association’s “Judicial Hellholes” report, dropping from the top spot only because other states had a larger volume of “abuses,” the organization said. Nuclear verdicts cost Georgians a “tort tax” of $1,372.94 each year, according to the association and costs the state 137,658 jobs annually.

The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of the amended legislation. Gov. Brian Kemp threatened lawmakers with a special session if the bill does not pass.

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Trump calls on all NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil, threatens 50% to 100% tariffs on China

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www.wsav.com – JOSH BOAK, Associated Press – 2025-09-13 13:46:00

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump stated that the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying Russian oil and imposed 50% to 100% tariffs on China for its Russian petroleum purchases. Trump criticized some NATO members, like Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, for continuing to buy Russian oil, weakening NATO’s position. He downplayed recent Russian drone incursions into Poland, calling them possibly accidental. The U.S. and allies seek stronger resolve against Russia, with Britain banning Russian oil transportation vessels and sanctioning suppliers. Trump blamed Joe Biden and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy for the war, excluding Putin. The proposed tariffs risk economic fallout amid complex U.S.-China trade relations.

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Westside getting defensive has paved the way to a rare hot start

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www.wjbf.com – Gabriel Stovall – 2025-09-11 19:59:00

SUMMARY: Westside football is off to a strong 3-0 start, a rare feat in 20 years, thanks to a dominant defense allowing just 21 points total. The Patriots have recorded 14 sacks and two pick-6s, with key wins over Laney and Richmond Academy. Coach Cedric Mason emphasizes fundamentals, hustle, and building a strong team culture involving the community. Senior Joshua Crawford, returning from a severe knee injury, credits improved coaching and increased staff support for the team’s success. After initial friction, Mason and Crawford developed a strong bond. The team remains focused on weekly goals, aiming ultimately for a state championship.

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Several HBCUs close campuses amid 'potential threats'

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www.wsav.com – Katelyn Harlow – 2025-09-11 12:43:00

SUMMARY: Several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were placed on lockdown Thursday due to potential threats to campus safety. Affected schools include Virginia State University, Hampton University, Southern University and A&M College, Bethune-Cookman University, Clark Atlanta University, and Alabama State University. Students and faculty were alerted early Thursday, with some lockdowns lifted by afternoon after law enforcement sweeps. No injuries were reported. School officials and law enforcement are investigating, urging vigilance. Congressman Troy A. Carter condemned the threats, calling for federal action. Classes were canceled Thursday, with some schools extending cancellations. Enhanced security remains in place as the situation develops.

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