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HB1185 • 2025

Courts; certain shareholder claims to be brought before the Georgia State-wide Business Court; provide

Courts; certain shareholder claims to be brought before the Georgia State-wide Business Court; provide

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Efstration, Chuck
Last action
2026-05-11
Official status
House Date Signed by Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact definitions of 'certain shareholder claims' and specific exemption criteria are referenced but not detailed in the provided text excerpts.

Moving Certain Shareholder Lawsuits to Georgia's Business Court

This law requires certain shareholder claims against corporations, partnerships, and associations in Georgia to be heard by the State-wide Business Court.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires specific shareholder claims to be brought before the Georgia State-wide Business Court instead of other courts.
  • Allows a corporation's bylaws or articles of incorporation to require that certain claims be heard by the Georgia State-wide Business Court.
  • Provides for the removal (moving) of eligible cases from local courts to the Georgia State-wide Business Court.
  • Sets rules regarding attorney fees and court costs in these types of cases.
  • Exempts payment of attorney fees and costs in certain situations.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Shareholders filing claims against corporations, partnerships, or associations
  • Corporations, partnerships, and associations operating under Georgia law
  • The judges and staff of the Georgia State-wide Business Court

Terms To Know

Georgia State-wide Business Court
A specialized court in Georgia designated to hear specific business-related legal disputes.
Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation
Official documents that establish the rules and structure for a corporation, which can now include requirements about where lawsuits must be filed.
Removal
The legal process described in this bill to move an existing case from one court to the Georgia State-wide Business Court.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The provided text does not list every specific type of shareholder claim that must go to this court.
  • It is unclear exactly which situations qualify for exemptions from paying attorney fees and costs based on the summary alone.
  • The official status indicates an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-11 Georgia General Assembly

    House Date Signed by Governor

Official Summary Text

Courts; certain shareholder claims to be brought before the Georgia State-wide Business Court; provide