Louisiana's Landry's Tort Reform Problem

Tort reform has been a popular agenda among lawmakers and a platform for candidates to run on. It often matters significantly because it could determine the cost of insurance for many people. Simply put, tort reform is a process by which laws dealing with civil injury are revised.

Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia has managed to successfully lead the charge on this front. For example, he recently signed SB 68 and SB 69 that directly address Georgia Code.

SB 68 provides a comprehensive revision of codes related to civil practice, damage, and liability in tort actions. SB 69 regulates third-party litigation relating to banking and finance. 

Kemp has been adamant on promoting the reforms as well. He frequently posts on X about the issue and what he has done or will do to address it. 

Kemp has also gone so far to state that he would back primary challengers for GOP defectors. According to an article from the Georgia Recorder, Kemp would also go so far as to drag lawmakers back to Atlanta for a special session if nothing of note passed.

All of this is contrasted with the activity of Governor Jeff Landry from Louisiana. Gov Landry has repeatedly claimed to be in favor of tort reform, but has yet to produce anything of note to back up his words.

Gov. Landry recently backed House Bill 576 which is supposed to offer change. However, the bill does not actually appear to make any meaningful revisions. 

The measure appears to instead offers to expand the power of the insurance commissioner’s office. The bill grants the office the power to block insurance rate increases. 

According to an op-ed posted in  Texas Politics, the legislation would only make Louisiana look more like California. The writer states.

“This not only mirrors California’s overly strict environment but also deviates from Louisiana’s typical pro-business approach," reads the opinion.

The op-ed goes on to criticize HB 576 even further. They state, “Such a strategy kills competition and discourages insurers from even writing policies in Louisiana, eventually raising costs.” 

The differences between Governor Kemp and Governor Landry are clear to see. Kemp actually implements reform, while Landry backs insubstantial bills. 

Kemp does not compromise either. When he intends to implement reform, he signals it and gets others on board. Landry on the other hand compromises and backs a bill offering no solution.