Bill > SB486

This bill revises Georgia law regarding the enforcement of foreign laws, defining "foreign law" as any legal code or system from outside the United States, excluding laws of Native American tribes in Georgia, and "tribunal" as any court, agency, arbitrator, or panel. It establishes that any ruling by a tribunal is void if based on foreign law that violates rights guaranteed by the U.S. or Georgia Constitutions, with exceptions for international arbitration, certain business entities that contract to be subject to foreign law (unless it involves domestic relations like divorce or adoption), and specific business structures. The bill also modifies the "forum non conveniens" doctrine, which allows courts to dismiss a case if it can be better heard elsewhere, by requiring clear and convincing evidence that a foreign jurisdiction's laws would not violate constitutional rights before allowing a case to be refiled there, and mandates written findings of fact and conclusions of law if such protections are denied. Additionally, it amends venue provisions to include consideration of these foreign law protections when deciding whether to dismiss a case in favor of a foreign forum.