Latest news with #SenateBill69
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This new law bans Red No. 40 from sale, distribution in Delaware schools. What to know
Delaware is the latest state to ban Red No. 40 in schools. Here's how the new law came about. Senate Bill 69 was introduced on March 11 by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-South Dover, and aims to protect students in the First State from the potential health risks associated with Food, Drug and Cosmetic Red No. 40, a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. It contains benzene, a cancer-causing substance. SB 69 prohibits the sale or distribution of foods and beverages containing Red No. 40 during the school day in Delaware school districts and charter schools. This includes items sold in vending machines on campus or served a la carte. Recent concerns over the impact of synthetic food dyes on children's health, including potential links to behavioral issues and hyperactivity, were cited as reasons for the proposed ban. SB 69 was signed into law by Gov. Matt Meyer on May 22, with the restrictions on Red No. 40 to take effect by July 1, 2026, allowing schools and education officials time to prepare for the transition. This makes Delaware only the second state, behind California, to ban Red No. 40 in schools. At least six other states have introduced similar legislation. Senate Bill 41 is a similar bill in Delaware that aims to ban Red No. 3 statewide, another synthetic food dye. This bill has yet to be decided on. More on proposed Red No. 3 ban: Along with the FDA ban, Delaware legislators seek to ban use of Red No. 3 in the state Red No. 40 is widely used and found in a variety of foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, according to Healthline, including: Flavored milk Yogurt Pudding Ice cream Popsicles Cakes and other pastries Candy Gum Breakfast cereals and bars Fruit snacks Gelatin Chips Powdered drink mixes, including some protein powders Soda Sports drinks Energy drinks More legislation news: Medical aid in dying becomes law, Inspector General bill passes Senate: The Press Room If Red No. 40 is in a product, it will be listed on the label as: Red 40 Red 40 Lake FD&C Red No. 40 FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake Allura Red AC CI Food Red 17 INS No. 129 E129 Sidewalk parking violations: Wilmington officials address complaints about vehicles parked on sidewalk Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin atkgriffin@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Red No. 40 banned in Delaware schools, second US state to do so
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.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tort reform: Gov. Kemp to sign sweeping plan to limit lawsuits in Georgia
The Brief Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign two pieces of legislation that would limit lawsuits in the state. Kemp has made tort reform one of his main priorities for the spring legislative session, saying that the plan would stop "frivolous" suits that have hurt businesses owners. Opponents worry that the reforms will make it harder for victims of violence and sexual abuse to get justice. ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign new legislation that could bring about historic tort reform in Georgia. The bills, which are aimed at limiting lawsuits and large verdicts, were one of the Republican governor's top priorities for the past legislative session. What we know Senate Bill 69 got overwhelming approval in the Senate and bipartisan support in the House, passing 98-69. It requires third-party entities that invest in litigation to register with the Department of Banking and Finance and bans foreign adversaries and governments from investing in litigation, among other reforms. It also limits how much the funders of litigation can influence civil litigation proceedings and the people involved. Senate Bill 68 passed in the House by a single vote, with several Republicans voting against the measure and three Democrats breaking ranks to vote to approve it. This bill requires anyone who sues a business or property owner over misconduct or injuries on their property to prove the owner knew about a specific security risk and physical condition on the property, but didn't provide adequate security. Business owners, trucking companies and others say they are threatened by expensive court verdicts or settlements. What they're saying Supporters of the bills argue that excessive lawsuits have driven up costs for businesses and consumers, while opponents contend that tort reform could make it harder for victims to seek compensation. "Small business owners have reported that insurance premiums have increased anywhere from 30% to 100% over the last few years, costing them thousands—if not millions—just to maintain basic coverage," Kemp said at the State Capitol in January. "Some insurance companies have pulled out of the state, leaving businesses with fewer options, while others are spending massive amounts to defend against excessive lawsuits. Ultimately, these rising costs are being passed on to consumers." The governor had previously warned that if action was not taken during the spring session, he might have called for a special legislative session later this year to address the issue. Republican House Speaker Jon Burns said lawmakers "worked tirelessly to craft" a bill that would "protect our businesses from frivolous lawsuits while upholding the rights of those with legitimate claims to be made whole." The other side Some groups fear children who are abused at childcare facilities, victims of elder abuse, and others would be harmed if a law is passed. At news conferences before the votes, parents and victims of human trafficking begged lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 68. MORE:Georgia's tort reform battle: Parents rally against proposed legal changes "To be honest with you, my heart is just a little weary. ... I think of the victims that this will impact if passed, they will not have their day in civil court," said Susan Cobb, a Georgia nurse who settled with YMCA after her daughter was abused by a coach and later found dead. Before passing, lawmakers did add more protections to the section of the bill that made an exception for sex-trafficking survivors after their lawyers said they wouldn't have been able to bring most cases. However, lawyers say victims of rape and other violence would still be left without the ability to seek recourse from several responsible parties. Supporters have denied that. Democratic Rep. Stacey Evans, a lawyer in Atlanta, remarked, "The court should be a safe, welcoming place for all of us, and we just picked and chose losers today — those that will get access and those that will not." What's next Kemp is expected to sign both bills on Monday afternoon at the Georgia State Capitol. He will be joined by first lady Marty Kemp, Lt/. Gov. Burt Jones, Burns, other lawmakers, and industry leaders. Burns said that a House committee plans to study the practices of insurance companies, including how they set rates. The Source Information for this story came from a release by Gov. Brian Kemp's office, previous FOX 5 reporting, and the Associated Press.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials move to ban controversial food item found in schools across the country: 'Prioritizing student health'
Changes could be on the menu for Delaware schools after state lawmakers introduced a new bill. Senate Bill 69 would prohibit selling or distributing food and beverages that contain Red 40 at public and charter schools, according to the Delaware News Journal. Sen. Eric Buckson is the primary sponsor of the bill, which looks to protect students from potential health risks associated with the food additive. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Red 40 is a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. The dye is used in various foods, including cereal, beverages, dairy products, and sugary treats. However, Cleveland Clinic named allergic reactions and migraines as potential side effects. There are also studies that link artificial food dyes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in kids. The introduction of the bill comes just months after the FDA announced a nationwide ban on Red 3 in food, beverages, and drug products. Red 3 and Red 40 are not the same, though they pose similar concerns. According to scientists, Red 3 may cause cancer and thyroid issues, which prompted the European Union to ban the additive over 30 years ago. Delaware isn't the first state to take a stand against artificial food dyes. Many states across the nation have worked to pass laws prohibiting synthetic food coloring. Companies are moving away from dyes, too. PepsiCo is in the process of phasing out synthetic dyes used in snacks. The company will use natural ingredients instead. Banning artificial food dyes is a win for the environment as well. According to one study, synthetic dyes are harmful to animals, plants, and humans. Untreated synthetic dyes released into bodies of water can reduce light for photosynthesis, affecting the entire food chain. If the new bill is passed in Delaware, the restrictions would take effect in schools by July 1, 2026. The Senate Education Committee is reviewing the legislation. "The bill ensures Delaware is prioritizing student health while providing room for reasonable exemptions as necessary," Buckson said. Do you think kids learn enough about gardening in school? Not even close There could be more focus It's probably about right It doesn't belong in school Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After Georgia Legislature's Sine Die comes signing time for governor
A lack of funding prompted Gov. Brian Kemp to veto a bill that increased needs-based grants for college students. Kemp signed dozens of new laws and vetoed 14 bills in 2023. File photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder The Georgia General Assembly concluded its 2025 legislative session on Friday with the passage of roughly 400 bills and resolutions combined. The abrupt end of the session gave way to a 40-day window that runs through May 14 when Gov. Brian Kemp can veto or sign legislation, or do nothing and automatically let it become law. The last day of the session, when House and Senate lawmakers usually crank out legislation right up until midnight and celebrate at the end of the night by throwing torn-up pieces of paper into the air, was unexpectedly cut short. In previous years, the Republican governor has vetoed about 10 bills each year, signed hundreds of pieces of legislation into law, and hosted a few ceremonies to ink some noteworthy bills with a keepsake pen. Last year, Kemp vetoed a dozen bills. Kemp signed six bills before the General Assembly's final gavel of fell, including a controversial so-called religious freedom bill. Kemp is expected to hold a public ceremony prior to May 14 to sign his priority legislation for 2025 that is intended to limit the amount of damages juries award in civil lawsuits. Kemp successfully fought off robust opposition to the civil litigation overhaul outlined in Senate Bill 68 and the more narrowly written Senate Bill 69 that requires transparency when third-party groups finance civil suits. Kemp will also have the opportunity to publicly sign off on a school safety plan in the wake of September's deadly shooting at Barrow County's Apalachee High School. That high-profile measure creates deadlines to transfer student records to new school districts, establishes a statewide school threat alert system and requires Georgia schools to install panic buttons. Kemp will also decide how he will handle a slate of culture war bills, including a ban on transgender athletes in girls' sports in K-12 and college and another measure banning gender-affirming care in the state's prisons. Culture war issues, including new restrictions on transgender Americans, have been a priority of Republican President Donald Trump's administration since he took office in January. Georgia's legislative smorgasbord awaiting Kemp includes next year's nearly $38 billion budget as well as the accelerated income tax cut he championed and one-time income tax refunds set to be distributed to Georgia taxpayers later this year. Usually, a statement from Kemp's office explains why he vetoed a particular measure. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
