Lauren Zelt, executive director of Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), said that Governor Kemp's proposed legislation aims to curb lawsuit abuse, reduce costs, and increase legal transparency in Georgia. This statement was made on PACT's website on January 30.
"PACT applauds Governor Kemp for his commitment to making Georgia more affordable for families and small businesses," said Zelt. "His bold legislative proposal protects consumers. The people of Georgia are counting on lawmakers to get this right."
According to the governor's website, Kemp's tort reform bill includes measures to ban foreign adversaries from funding litigation that could threaten Georgia's economic and security interests. The legislation also seeks to prevent predatory litigation funders from influencing legal strategy or taking an unfair share of plaintiffs' settlements. Additionally, it ensures that all parties involved in lawsuits are aware of third-party funding involvement.
Their website reports that PACT has launched a $10 million national campaign, starting with a significant TV and digital ad buy in Georgia, to support tort reform and combat predatory legal practices. The initiative aims to expose exploitative personal injury tactics, advocate for legislative changes, and educate consumers about the hidden costs of excessive litigation. With Georgia ranked among the top "Judicial Hellholes" by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), studies show these legal abuses cost families over $5,000 annually and contribute to job losses statewide.
According to Axios Atlanta, the average annual cost of full auto coverage in Georgia rose by 20% from 2023 to 2024, outpacing the national increase of 15%, per a new report from Insurify. In 2024, Georgians paid an average of $2,815 per year for auto insurance, exceeding the national average of $2,313.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Zelt leads efforts to reform predatory legal practices and advocates for consumer protections. She is also the founder of Zelt Communications, a public relations firm specializing in media strategy, crisis management, and political consulting.