Latest news with #SB68
Epoch Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
More Than 4,500 Cases of Baked Beans Recalled Over Undeclared Ingredient
Tennessee-based Vietti Food Group is recalling 4,515 cases of 15 oz. Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans across multiple states 'due to the presence of undeclared soy,' the company said in an 'Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product,' said the company. People with soy allergy who consume the recalled item face the risk of anaphylaxis, a bodily reaction that impedes breathing, triggers a sudden dip in blood pressure, and can send the body into shock. The recalled items were sold through retailers in 23 states—Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. So far, no adverse reactions or illnesses have been reported. The company asked individuals who have bought the products to return them to the place of purchase to get a refund. Those with more questions on the matter can contact Vietti Food Group at (513) 682-2474. The Epoch Times reached out to the company for comment. Related Stories 5/6/2025 5/5/2025 The baked beans recall is the latest of several food recalls over the past months citing undeclared soy. In January, Wisconsin-based TS Food Packaging The recall was issued after a manufacturing quality verification identified that an ingredient provided by a supplier contained soy, which the company was not notified about. In October 2024, Massachusetts-based R. Walters LLC According to the advocacy group Food Allergy Research & Education, roughly 0.4 percent of infants in the United States are Foods containing soy include tofu, miso, soy sauce, and textured vegetable protein. Some of the items potentially containing soy are cookies, crackers, high protein energy bars, sauces, dairy products, processed meat, canned broths, and sausages. In California, a The bill, SB 68, would
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Kemp Signs Tort Reform In Georgia, As Similar Proposal Passes In Texas
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shakes hands with Texas Governor Greg Abbott prior to the college ... More football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns on October 19, 2024, at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) has spent the first weeks of spring taking multiple victory laps following a legislative session that concluded with the enactment of top policy priorities. On April 21, for example, one week after approving legislation to accelerate state income tax cuts, Kemp signed into law Senate Bill 68 and Senate Bill 69, legislation that the Georgia Chamber of Commerce touts as 'a meaningful, comprehensive tort reform package.' 'Today is a victory for the people of our state who for too long were suffering the impacts of an out-of-balance legal environment,' Governor Brian Kemp said in his signing statement. 'As a result of this collective effort and outpouring of support from Georgians of all backgrounds, Georgia continues to move in the right direction as we work to stabilize costs and compete for economic opportunities that will create good paying jobs for hardworking Georgians across our state.' The signing statement from Governor Kemp's office goes on to note that approval of SB 68 and SB 69 'levels the playing field in our courtrooms, bans hostile foreign powers from taking advantage of consumers and legal proceedings, aims to stabilize insurance costs for businesses and consumers, increases transparency and fairness, and ensures Georgia continues to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.' While Governor Kemp and state legislators have taken numerous steps in recent years to improve Georgia's tax and regulatory climate, tort reform aims to improve the judicial climate, making individuals and employers less vulnerable to costly and frivolous lawsuits. The tort reform package signed into law by Kemp last week does so by targeting 'phantom' damage awards and 'jury anchoring.' ''Phantom' damages are awards based on inflated medical bill amounts that were never actually paid — Georgia courts often base awards on these billed amounts rather than real payments,' the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) explains. 'Jury anchoring is a practice in which lawyers suggest an unreasonably large award before a jury with that number becoming an 'anchor' point in jurors' minds.' The tort reform package enacted by Kemp, ATRA adds, 'will address the expansion of premises liability in Georgia that has left businesses responsible for criminal acts committed by third parties on or near their property – even if they had no way to predict or prevent such acts.' Such practices, ATRA notes, 'lead to higher litigation costs across the board. 'Securing tort reform has been the Georgia Chamber's top legislative priority for 20 years,' said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber. 'Getting both SB 68 and SB 69 signed into law fulfills the Georgia business community's promise to do right by Georgians by restoring balance to the civil justice system so our courts can focus on justice—not jackpots.' If one considers imitation to be a form of flattery, then Governor Kemp and Georgia lawmakers are now receiving high praise from the Lone Star State. While the debate over school choice has drawn the lion's share of media attention, Governor Greg Abbott (R), Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R), and Texas legislators are working to enact a number of other conservative priorities this year, among them a tort reform package similar to the one recently enacted in Georgia. 'Georgia's meaningful reforms will ensure that truly injured victims can recover fair compensation while preventing frivolous lawsuits from driving up costs for businesses and families,' Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) noted in a recent post. 'TLR—alongside the Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA), a business coalition comprised of 1,150 Texas job creators, individuals and associations from every corner of the state—is urging Texas legislators to pass similar reforms through SB 30.' SB 30, legislation introduced by Lt. Governor Patrick that passed out of the Texas Senate two weeks ago, 'seeks to prevent abusive lawsuit practices by many plaintiff lawyers that wrongfully inflate medical damages in personal injury lawsuits,' TLR explains. By approving SB 30, TLR adds, legislators 'will bring uniformity to Texas courtrooms by defining the noneconomic damages of pain and suffering and mental anguish, assuring that harmed persons are fully compensated on a fair and reasonable basis.' 'Critically, SB 30 would limit the evidence of medical damages that plaintiffs may submit at trial to 300% of the 2025 Medicare reimbursement rate with an adjustment for inflation,' adds TLR. 'The provision is meant to prevent lawyers from 'colluding with providers who over-diagnose, overbill and overtreat' victims to come up with inflated medical charges. Additionally, SB 30 makes clear that noneconomic awards cannot be used to punish defendants, make an example to others or serve a social good.' Nearly a week after the Texas Senate passed and sent SB 30 to the House, it approved SB 39, the other piece of Lt. Governor Patrick's tort reform package. SB 39, legislation filed by Senator Brian Birdwell (R), aims to crack down on frivolous lawsuits against trucking companies by clarifying the commercial vehicle litigation process. 'The explosion of lawsuits (many of them frivolous) against trucking companies in Texas has caused insurance rates to skyrocket, hurting Texans and our businesses,' Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement released following Senate passage of SB 39 on April 24. 'By passing SB 39, the Texas Senate has taken a major step toward providing judges a clear approach to collision cases. These changes will speed up collision trials involving commercial motor vehicles so victims get justice quicker while decreasing legal costs for Texas businesses. I thank Sen. Birdwell for his work on this critical issue.' After years of trying and coming up short, Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R), and their colleagues are understandably celebrating the recent enactment of an education savings account program. With just over one month left before the biennial regular legislative session is scheduled to adjourn in Austin, however, lawmakers still have a lot of unfinished business left to tend to and many priority bills still awaiting consideration in one legislative chamber. There is reason to believe that passage of many outstanding priorities, tort reform in particular, is likely to prove politically popular. A survey was released on April 11 by Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a pro-tort reform group, gauging likely Texas voters' views about lawsuit abuse and the way in which it drives up the cost of living. That survey found: According to PACT, the results of their survey demonstrate that 'a vast majority of Texans believe lawsuit abuse is a key factor driving up the price of goods and services and want their legislators to take action to fix the system.' Texas lawmakers are working hard to reach a deal on property tax relief and reforms intended to reduce regulatory burdens. Yet the advancement of tort reform in Texas and other states underscores how, beyond tax and regulatory reform, there are other ways in which state lawmakers are aiming to reduce costs for households and businesses.
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Gov. Brian Kemp signs 'tort reform' bills into law
The governor succeeded in pushing through a contentious overhaul to civil litigation in the state. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp succeeded in pushing through a contentious civil litigation overhaul, a yearslong effort supported by major corporations, small-business owners and health care providers. Kemp signed Senate bills 68 and 69 into law on Monday afternoon. The sweeping legislative package, crafted by the governor and carried on his behalf by State Senate Pro Tempore President John Kennedy (R-Macon), contains a variety of measures aimed at curbing civil lawsuits and limiting large jury awards. Kemp had designated so-called "tort reform" as his top legislative priority for the year. The bills cleared the House and Senate, despite reseverations among Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The governor had promised to call state lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session if the legislation had failed to pass, and he threatened to back primary opponents against those in his party who voted against it. "In the end, both of these bills accomplished our goal of leveling the playing field in Georgia's courtrooms and ensuring our business environment remains the best in the nation," said Kemp, standing in front of political allies and businesses leaders at the state Capitol. Georgia corporate heavyweights such as The Home Depot, Waffle House and RaceTrac backed the changes. Businesses, big and small, are hopeful that the measures will cut costs and reduce their exposure to lawsuits. Democratic lawmakers, trial lawyers and sex-trafficking victims fought the legislation, which they say will hinder wronged Georgians from seeking justice. 'Tort reform is not a solution," said state Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D-Duluth) before the final vote on SB 68. "It is a shield for the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable.' Businesses and consumers are struggling to contend with steep insurance costs. Kemp and his political allies claim that the legislation will help rein in skyrocketing premiums. But Democratic lawmakers and some legal experts aren't convinced that the tort reform package will have a substantial impact on the issue. The legislation will mostly benefit insurers, hospitals and other businesses by limiting plaintiff awards, Christopher Robinette, a tort law and theory expert and professor at Southwestern Law School in California, previously told the Chronicle. Regardless of the specific measures, tort reform has not been proven to significantly lower costs for consumers, he said. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, who supported the legislation, could not guarantee that insurance premiums would drop as a result. But he hopes it helps stabilize rates, which he believes would continue to rise without intervention. House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) is forming a study committee focused on addressing the issue of rising rates. Among other provisions, SB 68 shields businesses from negligent security claims arising from injuries that occur on their properties. Defendants can request trial bifurcation, with an initial stage to determine liability and a second to decide damages. Lawyers will be restricted in how and when they can suggest award amounts for noneconomic damages, and they will be prohibited from recovering fees more than once. Jurors can see a plaintiff's initial medical bills, as well as the actual costs incurred for care. And defense attorneys can submit evidence showing that a plaintiff didn't wear a seat belt at the time of an auto accident. The second piece of the legislative package, SB 69, seeks to regulate and restrict the practice of third-party litigation funding. "By signing SB 68 and SB 69 into law, Kemp took a generational step to protect Georgia's families, small businesses, farmers, medical community and our economic competitiveness," said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark in a prepared statement. Largest Atlanta-based Franchises Total number of units Rank Prior Rank Franchise 1 1 Arby's 2 2 SONIC 3 3 Holiday Inn Express View this list
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Proposed Legislation SB 68 May Impact Injury Victims' Rights in Georgia
SB 68 Limits Victims' Rights, Strengthens Insurer Protections, Restricts Damage Claims, Delays Cases, and Raises Bar for Security Lawsuits 'Victims must be cautious in choosing legal representation—an inexperienced attorney could ruin a case under these new restrictions.' — Matt Kahn ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, April 9, 2025 / / -- Governor Brian Kemp's recent push for Senate Bill 68 (SB 68) raises concerns about the rights of injured individuals across Georgia. This proposed legislation, under the guise of tort reform, aims to limit victims' ability to seek fair compensation, ultimately favouring insurance companies over everyday citizens. SB 68 introduces several alarming provisions that would drastically alter Georgia's civil justice system: 1) Restrictions on Non-Economic Damage Arguments: The bill prohibits attorneys from suggesting specific amounts for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, until closing arguments. This unprecedented move would hinder a jury's ability to fully comprehend the extent of a victim's suffering, leading to inconsistent and unjust verdicts. 2) Delays in Legal Proceedings: SB 68 would create unnecessary delays in the legal process by allowing defendants to halt cases simply by filing motions, regardless of their merit. This tactic benefits insurance companies by postponing rightful payouts and pressuring victims to accept lower settlements. 3) Increased Difficulty in Refiling Cases: The proposed legislation makes it more challenging for plaintiffs to dismiss and refile cases, a right currently available under specific circumstances. This change disproportionately affects victims who may need to refile due to unforeseen complications, further tilting the scales in favour of defendants. 4) Forces Plaintiffs to Prove Seatbelt Use Where Defense raises the Issue: Previously, seatbelt non-use was inadmissible in court. SB 68 changes that, allowing insurance companies to reduce recoveries based on whether a victim was wearing a seatbelt—shifting blame from negligent drivers to victims. 5) Lowers Recoverable Medical Expenses: Defendants can now argue the 'reasonable value' of medical bills rather than actual charges, making it harder for plaintiffs to recover the full cost of their medical care. 6) Makes Negligent Security Cases Very Difficult to Prove: SB 68 requires victims to prove that property owners had a 'particularised warning of imminent threats,' which is very difficult in many cases. This incentivizes businesses and landlords to cut security costs, particularly in low-income areas. 7) Mandates Bifurcated Trials: Victims would be forced to testify twice, making the litigation process more burdensome and expensive. Who Benefits from SB 68? -Insurance Companies and Property Owners: The bill allows insurers to deny and delay claims more efficiently, and property owners have less incentive to invest in security measures. -Out-of-State Investors: By reducing liability, landlords and business owners—especially corporate property owners—can cut costs without fear of legal repercussions. -Legislators Supported by Insurance Industry Donations: Lawmakers who pushed SB 68 forward received heavy financial backing from insurance companies. They rejected amendments that could have protected consumers, such as capping insurance rate increases. Impact on citizens of Georgia -Non-Catastrophic Injury Victims: Whiplash, sprains, and herniation sufferers will struggle to get fair compensation. -Negligent Security Cases: Property owners face less accountability for violent crimes on their premises. -SB 68 Discourages Health Insurance Use: Victims may avoid insurance if they can't recover entire medical costs. -More Delays & Uncertainty: A 90-day discovery stay prolongs cases, pressuring victims to settle for less. 'Victims must be cautious in choosing legal representation—an inexperienced attorney could ruin a case under these new restrictions. The legal community must develop creative strategies to minimise the damage caused by this law,' says Matt Kahn, Personal Injury Attorney at Butler Kahn Law Firm. About Matt Matt Kahn is a top-rated personal injury lawyer and partner at Butler Kahn, one of Atlanta's leading law firms for wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. Recognised for his results-driven approach and relentless advocacy, Matt represents individuals and families across Georgia who have suffered life-altering injuries or the loss of a loved one due to someone else's negligence. Since joining Butler Kahn in 2019, Matt has helped secure justice in high-stakes cases involving car accidents, truck crashes, and complex wrongful death claims. In 2024, he was honoured as one of the Daily Report's 'On the Rise' attorneys, highlighting him as one of the top lawyers under 40 in the Southeast. Known for his strategic litigation skills, compassion for clients, and courtroom success, Matt is a go-to choice for those seeking elite personal injury representation in Georgia. Learn more at Butler Kahn Law Firm (Atlanta Office) 10 Lenox Pointe Atlanta, GA 30324 678-498-5648 Ali Kamel Legal Disclaimer:
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Political hardball got Georgia tort damage limits passed. Now comes the collateral damage.
State Rep. Vance Smith, a Pine Mountain Republican, was ousted from his position as CEO of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce during a Friday afternoon Zoom call. He tearfully recounted his dismissal during a speech in the House chamber Tuesday. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder (file photo) Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's big 2025 legislative push to pass lawsuit damage limits is ready for his victory lap, but as the dust settles in the wake of Thursday's razor-close House vote on Senate Bill 68, some legislators' nerves are still frayed and one longtime lawmaker lost his job over his vote. Lawmakers in both parties are beginning to feel the fallout of their votes on the pivotal bill aimed at overhauling Georgia's civil litigation system as party leaders and powerful business interests take note of who toed the party line and who crossed it. In the House, where the bill passed along razor-thin margins, eight Republicans broke ranks to vote against the legislation and three Democrats joined the majority to secure the bill's passage. In the final Senate vote, two Democrats crossed party lines to vote in support of the legislation, and one Republican opposed it. State Rep. Vance Smith, a Pine Mountain Republican, was ousted from his position as CEO of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce during a Friday afternoon Zoom call. He tearfully recounted his dismissal during a speech in the House chamber Tuesday. Though SB 68 successfully cleared both chambers, Kemp repeatedly twisted arms throughout the session to coerce lawmakers into passing the bill. At the start of the 2025 session, he had pledged to drag lawmakers back to Atlanta for a special session if 'meaningful, impactful' changes were not made to the state's civil justice system by the end of the regular session on April 4. A key lieutenant also threatened the governor would use his substantial campaign warchest to back primary challengers to any Republicans who opposed the bill, and ahead of the final Senate vote, Republicans briefly paused floor proceedings to assemble for a caucus meeting attended by Kemp. Republicans in both chambers might have to wait until the 2026 election season to see if Kemp makes good on his promise. Smith, whose west Georgia district spans parts of Harris, Muscogee and Troup counties, first joined the Georgia Legislature in 1993. He has long been a reliable member of the Republican caucus, making his vote on Thursday somewhat unexpected. In an emotional speech on the House floor Tuesday morning, Smith made veiled references to the fallout from his decision. 'A lot of things have transpired since last week when we left,' he said, thanking his family and members of the house for their support over the past few days. He also tearfully quoted the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11, ''for I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'' Though Smith expressed surprise over the Harris County Chamber of Commerce's abrupt decision to fire him, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he did not regret his vote. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and local chambers formed a powerful alliance in the fight to get a bill passed intended to limit jury payouts for medical malpractice and negligent property owners. House leaders also addressed the strong reactions to Thursday's vote, with House Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett, a Waycross Republican who sponsored the bill in the House, urging Georgia residents to 'hold legislators accountable for their votes under the Gold Dome at the ballot box – not by taking aim at their ability to support their families.' 'Numerous members have suffered threats to their livelihoods and independence because of their votes on Senate Bill 68,' Burchett said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. 'These retaliations undermine the strengths of our citizen legislature, which depends on members voting their conscience after fully weighing the issues and determining what they think is best for their communities and our state.' Democrats are also grappling with the aftermath of SB 68's passage, with House minority leaders sharply criticizing the members of their caucus who broke ranks to vote for the legislation. 'We were sent here to make hard decisions, and hard decisions are hard because you have to look people in the eye that you disappoint,' said Rep. Stacey Evans, an Atlanta Democrat, shortly after the bill passed in the House. 'Those victims won't be here every day, but the chamber will be here. Insurance companies will be here, and I think too many of my colleagues were worried about walking down the hall and looking them in the eye and not worried about the people back home.' Rep. Mack Jackson, a Sandersville Democrat who is Black with a history of splitting from his party on pivotal votes, criticized the House Democratic caucus in a speech on the House floor last Friday, comparing an unnamed Democratic colleague to segregation-era figures like Bull Connor and George Wallace. 'I realized that somewhere in her subconscious mind, she thought that she had bought me and my freedom to choose,' he said, referencing a conversation in which the unnamed colleague brought up her contribution to his most recent re-election campaign. 'I gave her her money back because I don't want anyone to think that they own me and can talk down to me as if I'm a child.' He also described other conversations with fellow Democrats who expressed disappointment with his vote, and requested that their campaign contributions be refunded. 'I'll refund everything, because I don't ever want anybody to think that they own me,' he said. Rep. Michelle Au, a Johns Creek Democrat and doctor who also voted in favor of the bill, took to social media to explain her decision, posting a two-page statement on the social media site X (formerly Twitter). 'It is by no means a perfect bill,' Au wrote. 'There are elements I object to. But on balance I think it protects our fair, equal access for all to our justice system while hopefully addressing the ways our litigation environment has become untenable for many.' The second part of Kemp's tort package, Senate Bill 69 that would increase regulations around third-party lawsuit financing, passed the House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform Tuesday evening. It is expected to come up for a vote on the House floor later this week. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
