The Georgia Chamber and Georgians for Lawsuit Reform are proud to announce the passage of  House Resolution 993. On Thursday, March 29th, the state Senate passed the resolution by a vote of  46-7, followed by a final agreement vote of 120-52 in the state House.

House Resolution 993 allows for the creation of a statewide business court through the enactment of a constitutional amendment. A statewide business court in Georgia would promote expedited resolution of complex commercial disputes, as well as enhance predictability, increase speed, improve case management, lower costs, and provide judicial expertise in complex commercial litigation.

By removing complex, time-consuming business cases from the general docket, non-business cases will be resolved more efficiently, thereby benefiting businesses and citizens alike. This measure follows the recommendations to improve current judicial practices and procedures by Governor Deal’s Court Reform Council.

As neighboring states like North Carolina and South Carolina have such specialized courts, the establishment of a business court with statewide jurisdiction will enable Georgia to remain regionally competitive. While Georgia has been ranked the “Best State for Business” five years consecutively, a court dedicated solely to sophisticated commercial litigation will further improve Georgia’s business and legal climate by advancing the state’s ability to attract and retain businesses.

Kade Cullefer, Executive Director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform, expressed the need for the amendment, “We have seen noteworthy success with local business courts in Fulton and Gwinnett Counties; however, the business court should be accessible to all Georgians.” Georgia Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, David Raynor applauded the leadership of Governor Nathan Deal and Representative Chuck Efstration, “the establishment of a statewide business court is a long-awaited solution that will contribute to the improvement of quality of life and business climate. As this legislation is a Chamber Scorecard measure and a priority for our membership, we would like to thank Governor Deal, Representative Chuck Efstration, members of the General Assembly, and the Court Reform Council for their hard work and dedication in keeping Georgia the #1 state in which to do business.”

House Resolution 993 will now be included as a ballot measure in the 2018 general election.

To learn more about House Resolution 993 or the Georgians for Lawsuit Reform visit http://www.galawsuitreform.com/, or click here to view a message from Kade Cullefer, Executive Director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform. Visit the Georgia Chamber’s Scorecard website at http://gachamberscore.com/ to see how your legislator voted.

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