NFIB State Director Hunter Loggins said small business owners are grateful to the Georgia Senate for passing Senate Bill 68 on a bipartisan vote of 33-21. The bill is designed to stop lawsuit abuse and give small businesses stronger legal protections.

SB68 now heads to the House, where NFIB members are urging their representatives to vote yes.

“Our small business members appreciate the lawmakers who stood up for small businesses and helped pass this important bill,” Loggins said. “Their support brings us one step closer to fixing a system that too often hurts small business owners.”

SB68 would help small businesses by limiting pain and suffering damages in injury cases and making sure special damages for medical bills only cover what the plaintiff actually paid. It would also require juries to decide liability and award amounts separately while protecting property owners from being held responsible for crimes they couldn’t have prevented.

“You have a right to seek damages if you’ve been harmed,” Loggins said, “but too many lawsuits take advantage of the system. Instead of going after the parties responsible, trial lawyers often target whoever has deeper pockets. Many times, that’s a small business by default.”

Lawsuit abuse drives up insurance costs and takes money away from business growth, hiring, and community support, Loggins said. “Small business owners are working hard to grow and create jobs, but lawsuit abuse makes it harder for them to succeed,” he said. “Passing this bill would give them the fairness and certainty they need to focus on serving their customers and strengthening Georgia’s economy.”