Press release [Oct. 17, 2003A]

10-1865-5019

Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office
Room 131, State Capitol 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800

October 17, 2003

Speaker Coleman Names Special Advisory Committee on Civil Justice Issues
Business, Legal, Healthcare and Insurance Industries also Tapped for Expertise

Atlanta House Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman) announces the formation of a Special Advisory Committee on Tort Issues, whose objective will be to work with interested groups and build on the successes in the last session of the General Assembly. Specifically, the committee is charged to look at ideas and explore options in the areas of civil justice, insurance and health care.
Key representatives from the business, legal, healthcare and insurance industries will also be asked to help identify options and ideas to be considered and to facilitate discussions in the broader business community. These discussions will form the basis for bringing together needed and sensible solutions in the broad area of civil justice.
In 2003, the House succeeded in passing a law that represents an important first move toward a balanced approach to civil justice reform in Georgia. The new law (HB 792) was enacted complementing federal rules for class action lawsuits; and restricting the ability of plaintiffs from other states to file lawsuits in Georgia when the statute of limitation has run out in other states--called forum non-convenes.
"It is with deep appreciation and respect that I thank Speaker Pro Tempore DuBose Porter (D-Dublin) and Judiciary Chairman Tom Bordeaux (D-Savannah) for their leadership last session. Having said this, there were many players in the successful passage of tort reform legislation in 2003 to whom we owe our gratitude and appreciation," said Speaker Coleman. "Next session we hope to go further in exploring options in ways to deal with civil justice issues."
"This is why I have asked Representative Bordeaux and Butch Parrish, (D-Swainsboro), Chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee to Co-Chair this very important effort. In our discussions on the formation of the committee, we felt it essential to balance the interests of the legal profession, health care and insurance industries in our work. I am confident Reps. Bordeaux and Parrish will provide outstanding guidance and leadership in this important informational process," said Speaker Coleman.
Speaker Coleman concluded, "The exploration of civil justice reform is among the most pressing initiative we face in the Legislature and indeed in the State of Georgia. It is vital to the economic and business vitality of this state. Indeed, these are subjects that enjoy wide and diverse support within both the legal profession and our business sector. I look forward to working with both the majority and minority membership of the House of Representatives in continuing our good work on tort reform in the coming session."
Other committee members will include Speaker Pro Tempore DuBose Porter, Majority Leader Jimmy Skipper, Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benefield, Representative Mike Boggs, Representative Jimmy Lord, Representative Ron Dodson, Representative Lester Jackson, Representative Greg Morris, Representative Curtis Jenkins, Representative Randal Mangham, Representative Buddy Childers, Representative Keith Heard, Representative Lynn Smith, Representative Tom Campbell and Representative Mark Burkhalter
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For further information please contact Speaker Coleman's office at 404-656-5020.