Press release [Oct. 27, 2003]

Georgia House of Representatives

Public Information Office

Room 131, State Capitol 30334

404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800

10-1877-5030 For Immediate Release

October 27, 2003

Morris Tapped for Tort Reform Advisory Committee

Input From Business, Legal, Healthcare and Insurance Industries also Sought Atlanta State Representative Greg morris (D-Vidalia) has been named to a Special Advisory Committee on Tort Issues by House Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman). The committee's objective is 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 are intended to bring together needed and sensible solutions in the broad area of civil justice.

"I appreciate my appointment to this important committee and look forward to working with other members," said Rep. Morris. "I know what small business owners go through with rising insurance costs and what an impact it can have in the short and long term. At the same time I realize we can not infringe on citizens civil justice rights."

Also according to Rep. Morris, "Last session, the House passed HB 792 which complements federal rules for class action lawsuits and restricts the ability of plaintiffs from other states to file lawsuits in Georgia when the statute of limitation has run out in other states (forum nonconvenes). I believe this was an important first move toward a balanced approach to civil justice reform in Georgia."

The committee will be co-chaired by Reps. Tom Bordeaux (D-Savannah), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Butch Parrish (D-Swainsboro), Chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

Other members, besides Rep. Smith, include Speaker Pro Tempore DuBose Porter (D-Dublin), Majority Leader Jimmy Skipper (D-Americus), Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benefield (D-Decatur), Rep. Mike Boggs (D-Waycross), Rep. Jimmy Lord (D-Sandersville), Rep. Ron Dodson (DJonesboro), Rep. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah), Rep. Greg Morris (D-Vidalia), Rep. Curtis Jenkins (D-Forsyth), Rep. Randal Mangham (D-Decatur), Rep. Buddy Childers (D-Rome), Rep. Keith Heard (D-Athens), Rep. Tom Campbell, (R-Roswell) and Rep. Mark Burkhalter (RAlpharetta).

Rep. Morris, a lawmaker since 1998, is Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and serves on the Appropriations and Economic Development and Tourism committees.

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For further information please contact Rep. Morris at 404-656-0254 or 912-538-1062.