---
title: SB 603. "Georgia Insurance Consumer and Policyholder Advocacy Act"; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb603
cite_as: SB 603, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb603
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb603.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb603/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73710
date: 2026-02-26
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
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bill_number: SB 603
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-02-25
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Nabilah Islam Parkes
- Randal Mangham
- Donzella James
- RaShaun Kemp
- Sally Harrell
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB603/2025
upstream_id: 2124747
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- insurance rates
- consumer protection
- insurance regulation
- auto insurance
- Commissioner of Insurance
---
# SB 603. "Georgia Insurance Consumer and Policyholder Advocacy Act"; enact
## Text
Senate Bill 603
By: Senators Parkes of the 7th, Mangham of the 55th, James of the 28th, Kemp of the 38th
and Harrell of the 40th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to
increase transparency and accountability in the insurance industry and at the office of the
Commissioner of Insurance; to provide for an insurance consumer and policyholder advocate
within the office of the Commissioner of Insurance; to provide for definitions; to provide for
the duties of such advocate; to provide for such advocate to represent insurance consumers
and policyholders at certain proceedings; to provide for rules and regulations; to prohibit
rates from being unjustifiably increased; to revise standards for the making and use of rates
of insurance; to eliminate the file-and-use system for private passenger automobile insurance;
to revise the time the department has to review rate filings; to require insurers to submit
additional documentation when a proposed rate filing will increase rates; to provide for
additional review and procedures for a rate filing that increases a rate by more than ten
percent within any 12 month period; to provide for open records; to provide for the approval
of rate increases under certain conditions; to authorize such advocate to review and
investigate complaints; to provide for such advocate to request a hearing; to provide for
related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative purpose; to provide for
an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Insurance Consumer and
Policyholder Advocacy Act."
SECTION 2.
The purpose of this Act is to protect insurance consumers and policyholders by ensuring
fairness and transparency in insurance practices, addressing unjustified rate increases,
enhancing industry oversight, and providing education and advocacy for insurance
consumers and policyholders.
SECTION 3.
Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, is amended in
Chapter 2, relating to department and Commissioner, by revising Code Section 33-2-4, which
is reserved, as follows:
"33-2-4.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Insurance consumer' means any individual or person in this state that entered into a
contract for a product or service from an insurer or licensee under the jurisdiction of the
Commissioner.
(2) 'Insurance consumer and policyholder advocate' or 'advocate' means an individual
employed in the department to represent the interests of insurance consumers and
policyholders in insurance matters.
(3) 'Policyholder' means a person in this state who is or was an owner, insured, covered
person, beneficiary, or person designated as responsible for payment under an insurance
policy, certificate of insurance, or annuity contract provided by an insurer.
(b) There is established within the office of the Commissioner the position of insurance
consumer and policyholder advocate. The advocate shall:
(1) Review insurer practices related to policy cancellations and nonrenewals for fairness
to insurance consumers and policyholders and investigate any policy cancellations or
nonrenewals at the request of an insurance consumer or policyholder;
(2) Participate in rate approval processes and advocate on behalf of insurance consumers
and policyholders in such processes and any subsequent hearings;
(3) Implement state-wide campaigns, conduct stakeholder meetings, publish materials,
and provide online tools to educate insurance consumers and policyholders on the risks
and benefits of different types of insurance, including but not limited to health, life,
automobile, property, and flood, to ensure insurance consumers and policyholders can
make informed decisions; and
(4) Perform such other functions necessary to advocate for insurance consumers and
policyholders.
(c) The advocate shall be entitled to appear, as a party or otherwise, on behalf of insurance
consumers and policyholders in any proceedings before the Commissioner, in
administrative proceedings related to violations of provisions in this title, and in judicial
proceedings appealing an act by the Commissioner.
(d) The Commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement
the provisions of this Code section. Reserved."
SECTION 4.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by adding a new subsection to Code Section
33-2-17, relating to conduct of hearings by Commissioner generally and demands for
hearing, to read as follows:
"(e) The insurance consumer and policyholder advocate is authorized to request a hearing
and to participate in any hearing held pursuant to this Code section."
SECTION 5.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-2-26, relating to
persons entitled to appeal and procedure generally, as follows:
"33-2-26.
An appeal from the Commissioner shall be taken only from an order on hearing or with
respect to a matter as to which the Commissioner has refused or failed to grant or hold a
hearing after demand therefor under Code Section 33-2-17 or as to a matter as to which the
Commissioner has refused or failed to make his order on hearing as required by Code
Section 33-2-23. Any The insurance consumer and policyholder advocate and any person
who was a party to the hearing or whose pecuniary interests are directly and immediately
affected by the refusal or failure to grant a hearing and who is aggrieved by the order,
refusal, or failure may appeal from the order on hearing or as to any such matter within 30
days after:
(1) The order on hearing has been mailed or delivered to the persons entitled to receive
the same;
(2) The Commissioner's order denying rehearing or reargument has been so mailed or
delivered;
(3) The Commissioner has refused or failed to make his order on hearing as required
under Code Section 33-2-23; or
(4) The Commissioner has refused or failed to grant or hold a hearing as required under
Code Section 33-2-17."
SECTION 6.
Said title is further amended in Chapter 9, relating to regulation of rates, underwriting rules,
and related organizations, by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 33-9-1, relating to
purpose and construction of chapter, as follows:
"(a) The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public welfare by regulating insurance
rates as provided in this chapter to the end that they shall not be excessive, inadequate, or
unfairly discriminatory to insurance consumers or policyholders, shall not be unjustifiably
increased, and shall be subject to an open and transparent review process; to authorize the
existence and operation of qualified rating organizations and advisory organizations and
require that specified rating services of such rating organizations be generally available to
all admitted insurers; and to authorize cooperation between insurers in rate making and
other related matters."
SECTION 7.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-9-2, relating to
definitions, as follows:
"33-9-2.
As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) 'Advisory organization' means every person other than an admitted insurer, whether
located within or outside this state, who prepares policy forms or makes underwriting
rules incident to but not including the making of rates, rating plans, or rating systems, or
who collects and furnishes to admitted insurers or rating organizations loss or expense
statistics or other statistical information and data and acts in an advisory, as distinguished
from a rate-making, capacity. No duly authorized attorney at law acting in the usual
course of his profession shall be deemed to be an advisory organization.
(2) 'Insurance consumer' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code
Section 33-2-4.
(3) 'Insurance consumer and policyholder advocate' or 'advocate' shall have the same
meaning as set forth in Code Section 33-2-4.
(2)(4) 'Member' means an insurer who participates in or is entitled to participate in the
management of a rating, advisory, or other organization.
(5) 'Policyholder' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 33-2-4.
(3)(6) 'Rating organization' means every person other than an admitted insurer, whether
located within or outside this state, who has as his object or purpose the making of rates,
rating plans, or rating systems. Two or more admitted insurers who act in concert for the
purpose of making rates, rating plans, or rating systems and who do not operate within
the specific authorizations contained in Code Sections 33-9-6, 33-9-7, 33-9-11, 33-9-20,
and 33-9-22 shall be deemed to be a rating organization. No single insurer shall be
deemed to be a rating organization.
(4)(7) 'Subscriber' means an insurer which is furnished at its request with rates and rating
manuals by a rating organization of which it is not a member, or with advisory services
by an advisory organization of which it is not a member."
SECTION 8.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-9-4, relating to
standards applicable to making and use of rates, as follows:
"33-9-4.
The following standards shall apply to the making and use of rates pertaining to all classes
of insurance to which this chapter is applicable:
(1) Rates shall not be excessive, or inadequate, as defined in this Code section, nor shall
they be or unfairly discriminatory to insurance consumers or policyholders;
(2) No rate shall be held to be excessive unless such rate is unreasonably high for the
insurance provided and a reasonable degree of competition does not exist in the area with
respect to the classification to which such rate is applicable; provided, however, with
respect to rate filings involving an increase in rates, no rate for personal private passenger
motor vehicle insurance shall be held to be excessive unless such rate is unreasonably
high for the insurance provided and a reasonable degree of competition does not exist;
(3) No rate shall be held inadequate unless it is unreasonably low for the insurance
provided and continued use of it would endanger solvency of the insurer, or unless the
use of such rate by the insurer using such rate has, or will, if continued, tend to destroy
competition or create a monopoly;
(3.1) No rate shall be unjustifiably increased, and any rate filing that results in an overall
rate increase of 10 percent or more within a 12 month period shall be subject to an
examination and an open and transparent review process as set forth in this chapter;
(4) Consideration shall be given to the extent applicable to past and prospective loss
experience within and outside this state, to conflagration and catastrophe hazards, to a
reasonable margin for underwriting profit and contingencies, to past and prospective
expenses both country wide and those specially applicable to this state, to the insurer's
average yield from investment income, and to all other factors, including judgment
factors, deemed relevant within and outside this state; and, in the case of fire insurance
rates, consideration may be given to the experience of the fire insurance business during
the most recent five-year period;
(5) Consideration may also be given, in the making and use of rates, to dividends,
savings, or unabsorbed premium deposits allowed or returned by insurers to their
policyholders, members, or subscribers;
(6) The systems of expense provisions included in the rates for use by any insurer or
group of insurers may differ from those of other insurers or groups of insurers to reflect
the operating methods of any such insurer or group with respect to any kind of insurance
or with respect to any subdivision or combination thereof;
(7) Risks may be grouped by classifications for the establishment of rates and minimum
premiums. Classification rates may be modified to produce rates for individual risks in
accordance with rating plans which establish standards for measuring variations in
hazards or expense provisions, or both. Such standards may measure any difference
among risks that have a probable effect upon losses or expenses. Classifications or
modifications of classifications of risks may be established based upon size, expense,
management, individual experience, location or dispersion of hazard, or any other
reasonable considerations. Such classifications and modifications shall apply to all risks
under the same or substantially the same circumstances or conditions; provided, however,
the Commissioner shall establish the maximum amount of any such modification;
(8) Nothing contained in this Code section or elsewhere in this chapter shall be construed
to repeal or modify Chapter 6 of this title, relating to unfair trade practices, and any rate,
rating classification, rating plan or schedule, or variation thereof established in violation
of Chapter 6 of this title shall, in addition to the consequences stated in Chapter 6 of this
title or elsewhere, be deemed violative of to violate his Code section;
(9) No insurer shall base any standard or rating plan on vehicle insurance, in whole or
in part, directly or indirectly, upon race, creed, or ethnic extraction; and
(10) No insurer shall base any standard or rating plan on vehicle insurance, in whole or
in part, directly or indirectly, upon any physical disability of an insured unless the
disability directly impairs the ability of the insured to drive a motor vehicle."
SECTION 9.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-9-21, relating to
maintenance and filing rates, rating plans, rating systems, or underwriting rules and
examination of claim reserve practices by the Commissioner, as follows:
"33-9-21.
(a) Every insurer shall maintain with the Commissioner copies of the rates, rating plans,
rating systems, underwriting rules, and policy or bond forms used by it. The maintenance
of rates, rating plans, rating systems, underwriting rules, and policy or bond forms with the
Commissioner by a licensed rating organization of which an insurer is a member or
subscriber will be sufficient compliance with this Code section for any insurer maintaining
membership or subscriberships in such organization, to the extent that the insurer uses the
rates, rating plans, rating systems, underwriting rules, and policy or bond forms of such
organization; provided, however, that the Commissioner, when he or she deems it
necessary, without compliance with the rule-making procedures of this title or Chapter 13
of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act':
(1) May require any domestic, foreign, and alien insurer to file the required rates, rating
plans, rating systems, underwriting rules, and policy or bond forms used independent of
any filing made on its behalf or as a member of a licensed rating organization, as the
Commissioner shall deem to be necessary to ensure compliance with the standards of this
chapter and Code Section 34-9-130 and for the best interests of the citizens of this state;
(2) Shall require each domestic, foreign, and alien insurer, writing or authorized to write
workers' compensation insurance in this state, to file such insurer's own individual rate
filing for rates to be charged for workers' compensation insurance coverage written in this
state. Such rates shall be developed and established after consultation with the State
Board of Workers' Compensation based upon each individual insurer's experience in the
State of Georgia to the extent actuarially credible. The experience filed shall include the
loss ratios, reserves, reserve development information, expenses, including commissions
paid and dividends paid, investment income, pure premium data adjusted for loss
development and loss trending, profits, and all other data and information used by that
insurer in formulating its workers' compensation rates which are used in this state and any
other information or data required by the Commissioner. In establishing and maintaining
loss reserves, no workers' compensation insurer shall be allowed to maintain any excess
loss reserve for any claim or potential claim for more than 90 days after the amount of
liability for such claim or potential claim has been established, whether by final
judgment, by settlement agreement, or otherwise. This limitation on the maintenance of
loss reserves shall be enforced through this Code section, as well as through Code
Section 33-9-23, relating to examination of admitted insurers, and any other appropriate
enforcement procedures. The Commissioner is authorized to accept such rate
classifications as are reasonable and necessary for compliance with this chapter. A rate
filing required by this paragraph shall be updated by the insurer at least once every two
years; and
(3) As used in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term 'excess loss reserve' means any
reserve amount in excess of the reserve required by law.
(b) Any domestic, foreign, or alien insurer that is authorized to write insurance in this state
must shall file with the Commissioner any rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting
rule for all personal private passenger motor vehicle insurance:
(1) For private passenger motor vehicle insurance providing only the mandatory
minimum limits required by Code Section 33-34-4 and subsection (a) of Code
Section 40-9-37, and no such rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting rule shall
become effective, nor may any premium be collected by any insurer thereunder, unless
the filing has been received by the Commissioner in his or her office and such filing has
been approved by the Commissioner or a period of 45 60 days has elapsed from the date
such filing was received by the Commissioner during which time such filing has not been
disapproved by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall be authorized to extend such
45 60 day period by no more than 55 40 days at his or her discretion. If a filing is
disapproved, notice of such disapproval order shall be given within 100 days of receipt
of filing by the Commissioner, specifying in what respects such filing fails to meet the
requirements of this chapter. The filer shall be given a hearing upon written request made
within 30 days after the issuance of the disapproval order, and such hearing shall
commence within 30 days after such request unless postponed by mutual consent. Such
hearing, once commenced, may be postponed or recessed by the Commissioner only for
weekends, holidays, or after normal working hours or at any time by mutual consent of
all parties to the hearing. The Commissioner may also, at his or her discretion, recess any
hearing for not more than two recess periods of up to 15 consecutive days each. In
connection with any hearing or judicial review with respect to the approval or disapproval
of such rates, the burden of persuasion shall fall upon the affected insurer or insurers to
establish that the challenged rates are adequate, not excessive, and not unfairly
discriminatory, and not unjustifiably increased. After such a hearing, the Commissioner
must shall affirm, modify, or reverse his or her previous action within the time period
provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 33-2-23 relative to orders of the
Commissioner. The requirement of approval or disapproval of a rate filing by the
Commissioner under this subsection shall not prohibit actions by the Commissioner
regarding compliance of such rate filing with the requirements of Code Section 33-9-4
brought after such approval or disapproval.
(2) For personal private passenger motor vehicle insurance other than that described in
paragraph (1) of this subsection, such rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting rule
for all such personal private passenger motor vehicle insurance shall be effective 60 days
after such filing and shall be implemented without approval of the Commissioner, unless
an earlier effective date is authorized by the Commissioner or a later effective date is
specified by the insurer. This paragraph shall apply to the entire personal private
passenger motor vehicle insurance policy with limits above the mandatory minimum
required by Code Section 33-34-4 and subsection (a) of Code Section 40-9-37 and shall
apply to the entire personal private passenger motor vehicle policy with minimum limits
if such policy has any additional nonmandatory coverage or coverages.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, an
insurer may, but shall not be required to, file its rate, rating plan, rating system, or
underwriting rule for all such personal private passenger motor vehicle insurance
provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection under the filing process of
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(c) When a rate filing of an insurer required under paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this
Code section is not accompanied by the information upon which the insurer supports the
filing and the Commissioner does not have sufficient information to determine whether the
filing meets the requirements of this chapter, then the Commissioner shall request in
writing, within 20 days of the date he or she receives the filing, the specifics of such
additional information as he or she requires, and the insurer shall be required to furnish
such information, and in such event the 45 60 day period provided for in paragraph (1) of
subsection (b) of this Code section shall commence as of the date such information is
furnished.
(d) Any domestic, foreign, or alien insurer that is authorized to write insurance in this state
must shall file with the Commissioner any rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting
rule at least 45 60 days prior to any indicated effective date for all insurance other than
personal private passenger motor vehicle insurance. No rate, rating plan, rating system, or
underwriting rule required to be filed under this subsection will become effective, nor may
any premium be collected by any insurer thereunder, unless the filing has been received by
the Commissioner in his office not less than 45 60 days prior to its effective date.
(e) When a rate filing of an insurer required under subsection (d) of this Code section
results in any increase that impacts insurance consumers or policyholders, such insurer
shall submit to the Commissioner a detailed actuarial report demonstrating the necessity
of the proposed rate increase based on claims trends, risk factors, and financial solvency;
a breakdown of administrative expenses, claim costs, and anticipated profit margins; a
statement on how the proposed rate increase shall affect policyholders, including families,
small businesses, and commercial enterprises in this state; historical past rate changes and
corresponding justifications for the preceding five years; and any other documents deemed
necessary by the advocate or the Commissioner. When a rate filing of an insurer required
under subsection (d) of this Code section results in any overall rate increase of 10 percent
or more within any 12 month period, the Commissioner shall order an examination of that
insurer to determine the accuracy of the claim reserves, the applicability of the claim
reserve practices for the loss data used in support of such filing, and any other component
of the rate filing; provided, however, that in the event the overall increase is less than 25
percent within any 12 month period and the Commissioner affirmatively determines that
he or she has sufficient information to evaluate such rate increase and that the cost thereof
would not be justified, he or she may waive all or part of such examination. In all other
rate filings required under subsection (d) of this Code section, the Commissioner may order
an examination of that insurer as provided in this subsection. Such examination shall be
conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 of this title. Upon notification
by the Commissioner of his or her intent to conduct such examination, the insurer shall be
prohibited from placing the rates so filed in effect until such examination has been
reviewed and certified by the Commissioner as being complete. Such examination, if
conducted by the Commissioner, shall be reviewed and certified within 90 days of the date
such rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting rule is filed; provided, however, that
if the Commissioner makes an affirmative finding that the examination may not be
completed within the 90 day period, he or she may extend such time for one additional 60
day period completed and reviewed by the advocate and the Commissioner has approved
or disapproved the rate filing. Any examination required under this Code section shall be
conducted in accordance with Chapter 2 of this title.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this Code section, in the event the
filing of any rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting rule under subsection (d) of
this Code section is not necessary, in the judgment of the Commissioner, to accomplish the
purposes of this chapter as set forth in Code Section 33-9-1, then the Commissioner may
exempt all domestic, foreign, and alien insurers from being required to file such rate, rating
plan, rating system, or underwriting rule.
(g) Filings required pursuant to this Code section shall be accompanied by a fee or fees as
provided in Code Section 33-8-1.
(h) All filings related to rate increases shall be made available on the office's public
website within ten days of submission, as provided under Article 4 of Chapter 18 of
Title 50."
SECTION 10.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-9-21.2, relating to
petition for hearing by aggrieved insurer, as follows:
"33-9-21.2.
(a) The Commissioner shall only approve a proposed rate, rating plan, rating system, or
underwriting rule that results in an increase if such increase is:
(1) Supported by clear and compelling data;
(2) Necessary to ensure the insurer's financial stability; and
(3) Not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory to insurance consumers or
policyholders.
(b) The Commissioner shall disapprove any proposed rate, rating plan, rating system, or
underwriting rule that results in an increase that fails to comply with the requirements of
this chapter.
(c) Any insurer aggrieved by the Commissioner's disapproval of any rate filing may
petition the Commissioner for a hearing within ten days of the notification of such
disapproval, unless otherwise specifically provided by law. A hearing conducted pursuant
to this Code section shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 of
this title. The insurance consumer and policyholder advocate is authorized to participate
in such hearing and in any appeal therefrom."
SECTION 11.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-9-26, relating to
review of rate, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting rule by insurer or rating
organization, as follows:
"33-9-26.
(a) Any person aggrieved by any rate charged, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting
rule followed or adopted by an insurer or rating organization may request the insurer or
rating organization to review the manner in which the rate, plan, system, or rule has been
applied with respect to insurance afforded him. The request may be made by his
authorized representative and shall be written. If the request is not granted within 30 days
after it is made, the requestor may treat it as rejected.
(b) Any person aggrieved by any rate charged, rating plan, rating system, or underwriting
rule followed or adopted by an insurer or rating organization or the action of an insurer or
rating organization in refusing the review requested or in failing or refusing to grant all or
part of the relief requested may file a written complaint and request for hearing with the
Commissioner, specifying the grounds relied upon.
(c) The insurance consumer and policyholder advocate shall review and investigate any
written complaint as provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section and, on his or her
own initiative, may review and investigate any rate, rating plan, rating system, or
underwriting rule proposed, followed, or adopted by an insurer or rating organization. If
the Commissioner has information concerning a similar complaint, he may deny the
hearing. If he believes that probable cause for the complaint does not exist or that the
complaint is not made in good faith, he shall deny the hearing. Otherwise, and if he
(d) If the advocate finds that the complaint charges a violation of this chapter and that the
complainant would be aggrieved if the violation is proven, he or if the advocate finds a
violation of this chapter based on his or her investigation, the advocate shall request a
hearing before the Commissioner and such complaint shall proceed as provided in Code
Section 33-9-27."
SECTION 12.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 33-9-28, relating to
conduct of hearing by Commissioner upon failure to correct noncompliance, notice of
hearing, and matters considered at hearing, as follows:
"33-9-28.
If the Commissioner has good cause to believe the noncompliance to be willful, or, if
within the period prescribed by the Commissioner in the notice required by Code
Section 33-9-27, the insurer, organization, group, or association does not make the changes
necessary to correct the noncompliance specified by the Commissioner or establish to the
satisfaction of the Commissioner that the specified noncompliance does not exist, then the
Commissioner may hold a public hearing in connection with the noncompliance, provided
that within a reasonable period of time, which shall be not less than ten days before the date
of the hearing, he shall mail written notice specifying the matters to be considered at the
hearing to the insurer, organization, group, or association. If no notice has been given as
provided in Code Section 33-9-27, the notice provided for in this Code section shall state
to the extent practicable in what manner such noncompliance is alleged to exist. The
hearing shall not include any additional subjects not specified in the notices required by
Code Section 33-9-27 or this Code section. The insurance consumer and policyholder
advocate shall represent the interests of insurance consumers and policyholders before the
Commissioner."
SECTION 13.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall apply to all policies issued,
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after such date.
SECTION 14.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia Senate bill would create a state insurance consumer advocate to challenge rate increases and give the Department of Insurance more time and tools to review proposed rate hikes, especially those over 10 percent.
### Plain-language summary
Currently, Georgia's insurance rate rules let some private passenger auto insurance rates take effect automatically without the Commissioner's approval, and rate filings get limited scrutiny. This bill creates a new position, the insurance consumer and policyholder advocate, inside the Department of Insurance. The advocate would investigate policy cancellations and nonrenewals, take part in rate approval hearings on behalf of consumers, run public education campaigns about insurance, and request hearings when rate practices seem unfair.
The bill also tightens the rules insurers must follow when raising rates. It eliminates the automatic 'file-and-use' approval track for some private passenger auto insurance, extends the department's review window from 45 to 60 days, and requires insurers seeking a rate increase to submit detailed actuarial justifications. Any rate increase of 10 percent or more within 12 months triggers a mandatory examination before it can take effect. Rate filings must also be posted on the department's public website within 10 days. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to policies issued or renewed on or after that date.
### What it does
- Creates a new insurance consumer and policyholder advocate position within the Department of Insurance to represent consumers in rate and complaint proceedings.
- Eliminates the automatic 'file-and-use' approval process for certain personal private passenger auto insurance rate filings, requiring Commissioner review instead.
- Extends the Commissioner's rate filing review period from 45 to 60 days, with a shorter allowed extension of 40 days instead of 55.
- Requires insurers proposing a rate increase to submit a detailed actuarial report, expense breakdown, and impact statement to justify the change.
- Triggers a mandatory state examination of any rate filing that raises rates by 10 percent or more within a 12 month period.
- Requires the Department of Insurance to post rate increase filings on its public website within 10 days of submission.
### Who it affects
Georgia insurance policyholders and consumers across auto, health, life, property, and flood insurance; insurance companies and rating organizations that file rates in Georgia; and the Department of Insurance and the Commissioner of Insurance, who gain new staff duties and review requirements.
### Why it matters
Georgians buying or renewing insurance policies could see rate increases face more scrutiny and public disclosure before taking effect, and would have a dedicated advocate to raise complaints about cancellations, nonrenewals, or unfair rate practices on their behalf.
### Key provisions
- Section 3 establishes the insurance consumer and policyholder advocate within the Commissioner's office and lists duties including reviewing cancellations, participating in rate hearings, and consumer education.
- Section 8 adds a standard that rates cannot be 'unjustifiably increased' and requires extra review for any rate hike of 10 percent or more within 12 months.
- Section 9 eliminates the file-and-use track for some private passenger auto insurance and extends the review period from 45 to 60 days; also requires detailed actuarial justification for rate increases affecting consumers.
- Section 9 also requires the department to post rate increase filings on its public website within 10 days of submission.
- Section 10 requires the Commissioner to approve rate increases only if supported by clear data, necessary for insurer financial stability, and not excessive or discriminatory.
- Section 11 authorizes the advocate to review and investigate consumer complaints about rates and request hearings before the Commissioner when violations are found.
- Section 13 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying to policies issued or renewed on or after that date.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-02-25)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2026-02-26)
- Sponsors: Nabilah Islam Parkes, Randal Mangham, Donzella James, RaShaun Kemp, Sally Harrell
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73710
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb603.md?full=1