Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp lists hurricane relief and lawsuit limits as top 2025 priorities

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at a press conference at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp told lawmakers Tuesday that he will emphasize relief efforts for Hurricane Helene and attempts to limit lawsuit verdicts in the state legislative session that begins Jan. 13.

The second-term Republican provided no details of his plan in a speech to members of the General Assembly gathered in Athens at the University of Georgia, but he did say he would propose both legal changes and new spending to address Helene, which cut a swath through eastern Georgia in September, killing 34 people in the state and causing billions in damage.

“With a path that was hundreds of mile wide, responding to the impacts of Hurricane Helene and providing relief to those most affected must be our top priority,” Kemp told lawmakers.