Magnolia, an English cocker spaniel puppy and best friend of First Lady of the House Dayle Burns, reports for House Page duty at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday.

As the sun appeared on the horizon on Wednesday, so too did the House’s version of the Amended FY 2025 State Budget. Synchronized perfectly with sunrise over Atlanta at 7:30 a.m., the House Appropriations subcommittees gaveled in to sign off on their adjustments to the spending plan for the current fiscal year. The big news in the “little budget” was, unsurprisingly, storm relief, with appropriators adding nearly $200 million more than the governor recommended as citizens continue to recover from Hurricane Helene. Other notable differences as well as a link to the House tracking sheet in this #GoldDomeReport.

Legislators wrap up the week on Thursday with one measure on the floor in each chamber. The House is expected to give final approval to the Amended Budget and send it across the rotunda for further consideration. Meanwhile, the Senate is slated to take up the “Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act.” The getaway day may run a little later than usual.

In this Report:

• House Appropriations Committee Approves AFY25 Budget
• Committee Notes
• New Legislation
• What’s Next

House Appropriations Committee Approves AFY25 Budget

In its traditional early morning convening, the House Appropriations Committee revealed and approved its version of the Amended FY 2025 State Budget on Wednesday. Perhaps the biggest news in the House version was the additional funds dedicated to Hurricane Helene storm relief — $150 million for farmers and timber producers, over $35 million for 45 public rural and critical access hospitals to assist in financial stabilization and recovery, and $10 million more for the OneGeorgia Authority for relief efforts.

The full tracking sheet of the House’s differences can be found here, but other notable deviations from Governor Brian Kemp’s proposed spending plan include:

Department of Community Health

• $12.5 million in startup funds for graduate medical education at Piedmont Healthcare.
• $3 million in one-time scholarship funding for Georgia medical students attending Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) South Georgia.
• $685,125 to develop a pilot program to deploy predictive modeling to detect potential fraud, waste, and abuse within the state's Medicaid program.
• $35.6 million in one-time grants for 45 public rural and critical access hospitals to assist in financial stabilization and recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.

Department of Education

• $2,494,294 for AP exams ($2,244,870) and PSAT exams ($249,424) due to increased utilization.
• $150,000 for an adaptive sports program.
• Reduction of $835,166 included in the Governor’s proposal for a data correction for two locally-approved charter schools, Drew Charter School ($137,098) and The Kindezi School ($698,068), in the Atlanta Public Schools system.

Office of the Governor

• $5,750,000 to GEMA for Next Generation 911 and emergency services.
• $3 million to GEMA in start-up funds for a school threat assessment tracking system.

Department of Human Services

• $22,235,429 in Out of Home Care for utilization growth and increased costs of care.
• $1,703,035 for the special victims unit to support the rescue of sexually exploited foster children.
• $1,439,557 to provide a $3,000 additional salary enhancement for eligibility caseworkers effective April 1, 2025.
• $185,798 to support the attainment of child support for out of state non-custodial parents.

Department of Public Health

• $500,000 for health department equipment
• $250,000 for a campaign to educate Georgians on the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.
• $250,000 for a campaign to educate Georgians on the adverse effects of vaping.

Technical College System of Georgia

• $750,000 for one-time start-up costs associated with advanced manufacturing programming at Wiregrass Technical College to support the regional manufacturing community.

Transportation

• $5 million in increased funds to upgrade shortline railroads to Class II standards to help reduce truck traffic on state highways.

Committee Notes

House Ways & Means Committee

The House Ways & Means Committee, chaired by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), met early Wednesday to consider one measure:

• HB 92 authored and presented by Chairman Blackmon, amends the homestead floating exemption that was passed last year (HB 581) which grants a statewide homestead exemption that limits the increases in the taxable value of homes to no more than the inflation rate that occurred over the prior year. Local governments may opt-out. This bill extends the deadline to do so and adds some additional guardrails.

After passing through this committee on Legislative Day 8, the bill was withdrawn, revised, and then recommitted. Chairman Blackmon gave an overview of the substitute’s revisions. The effective date (and deadline to opt-out for this year) has been changed from March 1 to March 31, 2025. Local governments will continue to be able to opt-out by March 31, on a yearly basis, through 2029. This will give local governments more time to determine what they want to do or to make a different election. Provisions were added that surviving spouses would not have to reapply for homestead exemption, homestead exemptions are limited to five acres, and the bill allows a homeowner to still obtain the homestead exemption within 45 days if the deadline is missed while under appeal. Last, if the estimated rollback is not timely provided to taxpayers by the levying authority, the calculations for tax assessment notices (not the actual bills, which come later in the year), would revert to the previous year’s millage rate for the purposes of estimating tax bills.

There was some clarifying discussion among the committee members, as there seems to be widespread confusion over many of the technicalities, which is one of the issues addressed by extending the final opt-out deadline to 2029. Technical amendments were made, but there was no opposition to the measure, and the substitute as amended received a unanimous DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee. Vice Chairman Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) thanked Chairman Blackmon and the committee for their work and commented that this is the most taxpayer-friendly legislation he’s seen over the last two years.

House Judiciary Juvenile Committee

Chairman Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) and her Committee met Wednesday afternoon. This committee was formerly known as the House Juvenile Justice Committee. They opened the meeting and adopted the rules for 2025-2026. 

A presentation was made by the Supreme Court Justice for Children’s Diana Johnson — the Supreme Court Placement Project was this group’s original name. J4C is a multi-disciplinary process entity that is in part a project to improve juvenile courts. The Court Improvement Program began in 1993 with a grant program. Their focus areas now are the rewrite of the attorney trial notebook; JCAMP a data collection effort; a joint project with DFCS to shorten the time from removal to reunification; and dealing with the cold case project; parent attorney training; court process data exchange between the courts and DFCS. They also host the Juvenile Summit annually. The group meets four times per year. Representative Siara Draper (D-Atlanta) asked about federal funding; they draw funds for reimbursement after sending expenses to the Children's Bureau but there may be changes soon. Johnson was asked if there is an impact to planning? Her office is planning carefully now so that they understand where they stand with funding. Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) asked about dually involved children (DFCS and DJJ) and how many there were. Johnson did not have the number. The unified case management system will allow the identification of those with more accuracy. Representative Esther Panitch (D-Sandy Sprints) asked about the reunification efforts and what makes that a priority; according to Johnson, there are 159 counties with everyone having a different way of doing things.  However, there is more activity with family preservation and children are not being removed from their homes as frequently. The urgency to remove, like it took place ten years ago, is not there anymore. Johnson was also asked about DFCS turnover and its case managers and whether she was seeing a trend. She sees the effect of turnover with continuance issues. [Representative Oliver said the turnover rate was 43.5% (based on appropriations’ hearing).]  Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) asked about the shortage of foster homes and how that number compares since COVID.  Johnson noted that while there there is data available; the distribution of foster homes appears to be a bigger problem.

The next presentation was from the Georgia Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group which is a part of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Stephanie Mikkelsen is the Juvenile Justice Program Director. It is made up of 19 members appointed by the governor that meets quarterly. Pub.l. No. 93-415, 42 U.S. C. 5601 et seq. creates this which Georgia’s law follows. Mikkelson is a “JJ” specialist and there are those in other states.  She also administers the grants as well.  The core functions were outlined — juvenile justice plan; compliance with the statute; making partnerships strong; and funding. Georgia has a new three-year plan and involved more than 600 to come up with this plan. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was described as well as best practices and rules. Mikkelsen explained that Title II formula grants require compliance otherwise the agency will lose 20% of their funding. Grant funding is also done by the agency  — $18 million is overseen by the entity (this is not all $18 million annually as some are spread over three years). Current grant programs: juvenile justice incentive grant; juvenile delinquency prevention grants 1 and 2; and juvenile prevention the juvenile justice incentive grant program is awarded in 36 counties.  Delinquency Prevention Program 1 is awarded in six counties and is not located in metro areas.  Delinquency Prevention Program 2 is awarded in seven counties.  Prevention and Intervention Grant program is in 12 counties (and uses formula grants) and supports mental health and violence reduction. Title 2 funds follow legislation; and so far, federal funds are not being impacted. There were questions around communication between school systems and juvenile justice as well as gang issues with schools; Mikkelsen noted that training with the schools on gang issues is occurring as well as work with school resource officers. 

Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee

Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) held an early morning meeting to discuss the following:

• SB 28, authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), is Lt. Governor Jones’ "Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025."  This legislation was held and not heard this morning as a new Substitute is being drafted.
• SB 38, also authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), is a proposal that deals with Forsyth County.  The initiative addresses the imposition and collection of development impact fees and allows those to be collected for the purposes of education. The committee heard support from the Georgia School Boards Association but heard opposition from the Georgia Association of Home Builders and Georgia Apartment Association. The author offered a minor amendment to the initiative which was adopted and the legislation received a DO PASS as amended.

House Governmental Affairs Committee

Chaired by Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia), the House Governmental Affairs Committee met Wednesday afternoon to hear two bills that passed out of the State and Local Government Subcommittee the previous day.

• HB 137, authored by Chairman Anderson, relates to procurement and building contracts for schools, roads, and public works. This measure raises the purchasing limit which triggers mandatory competitive bidding. Currently, the limits range from $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the department/agency; this bill amends that to $250,000 across the board. Chairman Anderson shared that this is largely the same bill from 2023 (HB 193), which passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by the governor who wanted the scope broadened to include school systems and most state agencies (the original bill only applied to municipalities and local governments). He also noted that the existing limits were implemented in 2001 and have never been raised. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 155, also by Chairman Anderson, was described as another follow-up bill, addressing problems with implementing HB 1461 in 2022. At issue are problems with the annexation disputes resolution impaneling process too often resulting in non-appointment of an arbitration panel. This measure expands the pool of eligible participants to include city and county administrators (versus only elected officials). The current time frame is very restrictive, 15 calendar days for the panel to be put in place, and this bill expands that to 20 business days. It provides that if no strikes are exercised by the county/city (leaving too many people to constitute the panel), then DCA can appoint the correct number from the pool (which currently isn’t allowed). Last, it increases the pay for people serving on the panel, to entice more people to serve. This legislation was brought at the urging of ACCG, GMA, and DCA. Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) offered an amendment to clarify that the compensation for serving is $100 flat, not $100 per day. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and moves on to the Rules Committee.

House Regulated Industries - Occupational/Professional Licensing Subcommittee

Chairman Buddy DeLoach (R-) and his Subcommittee met and took up these measures:

• HB 34, authored by Representative Dale Washburn (R-Macon), presented his initiative addressing O.C.G.A. 43-1-4.1. Gabe Sterling, with the Secretary of State’s Office, testified in support of the effort explaining the need for the continuing education tracking solution. Boards cannot renew licensees licenses without having completed their continuing education requirements.

Tim Davis on behalf of the Georgia Nurses Association supports this initiative as it uses a similar program as it helps with tracking their continuing education.  This frees up manpower to allow staff to focus on relicensing. Aubrey Villines also supported the effort but asked that “hardship” be stricken as that can be different from individual to individual.  Optometrists have a 30-day grace period; this wipes out that grace period. The Board will have to follow the law as it does not have the discretion.

A motion was made DO PASS the initiative.  Representative David Jenkins (R-Grantville) expressed that the licensing boards should be trusted and empowered — line 33 — to remove “hardship” so boards have greater latitude to do their jobs. The amendment was adopted; the bill received a DO PASS as amended.

•  HB 187, also authored by Representative Washburn (R-Macon), was considered by a Committee Substitute.  This effort is not new as it was brought to the General Assembly last year.   Lee Lemke explained the legislation which is a clean up bill of contractors’ licensing requirements for low-voltage utility, plumbers, electricians, air-conditioned contractors.  Several titles are amended including Titles 8, 10, 36, 43, and 46.  Representative Ginny Ehrhart (R-Marietta) did not see any reason not to move the bill along as it was discussed last year. (This is LC 550046S.)   The bill’s committee substitute was adopted and the bill received a motion DO PASS on the substitute; it carried.

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

• SB 58, authored by Senator John Albers (R-Roswell), known as the "Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act." This measure, amending Chapter 11 of Title 31, allows life-saving organ transport vehicles to operate in the same way as other emergency vehicles, with lights and sirens. Senator Albers shared that this bill is personal to him, having donated a kidney to his own son. He said that the vehicles won’t need to run red lights and sirens that often, but when they do, it’ll be no different than fire trucks, ambulances, or police during an emergency, and will undoubtedly contribute to saving more lives. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and moves on to the Rules Committee.

The committee then heard a presentation from Suneel Katragadda, MD about Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness (TD). This is a movement disorder, not unlike other neurological movement disorders (like tourettes), but tardive dyskinesia is drug-induced, resulting from use of antipsychotic drugs. It’s estimated that 600,000-1,000,000 people in the United States are afflicted, but only 10% are being treated because of a lack of awareness among patients and providers. For more information, visit talkaboutd.com.

House Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee

The House Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee, chaired by Representative Todd Jones (R-Cumming), met on Wednesday afternoon to consider the following measures:

• HB 58, authored by Representative Gary Richardson (R-Evans), amends Title 6 to  authorize the adoption of local ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings.

Representative Richardson presented the bill to the committee, explaining that the General Assembly has previously preempted adoption of local ordinances relating to drones but they are having issues with drones over large events in his community. There were numerous questions from legislators, which the Chairman charged the author with addressing before the Committee reconvenes in a week. No action was taken on the bill.

• HB 147, authored by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), amends Title 50 to establish a systematic approach to inventory and report AI systems employed by State agencies. Specifically, the bill requires the Georgia Technology Authority to conduct a comprehensive inventory of all AI systems in use, detailing each system's name, vendor, capabilities, and whether it independently supports decision-making or underwent an impact assessment before implementation, by December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter.

Representative Thomas presented the bill to the committee, which quickly recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee without discussion.

• HB 156, authored by Chairman Jones, amends various Titles to provide the Department of Transportation with authority over vertiports. The legislation would allow vertiports to be considered general aviation facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation.

Chairman Jones provided a brief overview of the bill to the committee and invited members to reach out to him with any questions or concerns. No action was taken on the bill.

The committee also heard a presentation from Wing, a drone delivery service owned by Alphabet. Wing aims to be operational in the Atlanta market in 2025. 

New Legislation

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the House:

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the Senate:

What’s Next

The General Assembly will reconvene for Legislative Day 13 on Thursday, Feb. 6. The House will convene at 9:30 a.m. and the Senate will gavel in at 10 a.m.

The House is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 13:

• HB 67 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 (Substitute)(App-Burns-159th)

The Senate is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 13:

• SB 1 - 'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact (Substitute) (ED&Y27th)