WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), made the following statement in response to Governor Sonny Perdue signing into law S.B. 138, the Transparency in Lawsuits Protection Act:

“ILR congratulates the Georgia legislature and Governor Perdue for leading the nation with this first-of-its-kind transparency bill and encourages other states to follow suit. We are particularly grateful for the leadership of Senator John Wiles, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, as well as House sponsor Representative Earl Ehrhart for getting this bill over the finish line.
 
“Clarity and transparency in legislative intent is critical, especially when bills might crack open the door to frivolous and expensive litigation. Under this commonsense law, no new private rights of action will be inadvertently created through legislation unless specifically articulated by the legislature.

“The enactment of S.B. 138 will bring certainty to Georgia’s legal system, allowing both plaintiffs and defendants to understand the litigation playing field and preventing trial lawyers from taking advantage of implied causes of action to bring suits using ambiguous legislative intent. From now on, Georgia can focus on growing its economy and creating jobs, instead of forcing its businesses to defend themselves against dubiously founded lawsuits.” 

ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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