The North Wing of the Georgia Capitol looks peaceful just after 5 p.m. on this Thursday evening, but committee members remain hard at work before a long weekend.

Generally, the last day of a legislative week can end around noon. Not so for lawmakers today!  It turned into a hectic day with lawmakers pushing forward the people’s business so that they could return home for a long weekend. Before they made for a swift exit, the House took up one of the constitutionally required jobs with the passing of the FY 2025 Amended budget to complete Georgia’s spending plan through June 30 of this year; the measure now moves to the Senate for final passage. The Senate, however, did not complete their business so quickly, adjourning closer to 2 p.m. thanks to a lengthy floor debate on the transgender sports initiative authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), which cleared the Senate and now moves it forward to the House for consideration. While several Senate committees canceled their afternoon plans because of the amount of time they spent in the Chamber, there were a couple of Senate committees that pressed forward with their agendas including the Senate Regulated Industries & Public Utilities Committee, which packed the meeting room and hallway at 5 p.m. to talk more about the state’s energy needs for data centers. All this and more in today’s #GoldDomeReport.

In this Report:

• Floor Action
• Committee Notes
• New Legislation
• What’s Next

Floor Action

The House took up the following on Legislative Day 13:

• HB 67 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 PASSED 166-3

The Senate took up the following on Legislative Day 13:

• SB 1 - 'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act.' Three amendments were offered, but all failed. The measure PASSED 35-17

Committee Notes

House Insurance Committee

The House Insurance Committee, chaired by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) met Thursday morning to hear two bills.

• HB 182, authored by Chairman Lumsden (R-Armuchee), is a life insurance bill requested by the Department of Insurance to remove coverage exceptions for active duty military in group life policies. Certain military events would remain exceptions, such as death in the line of duty, but simply being an active member of the armed forces would not be a reason to deny a claim. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB-124, authored by Representative Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville), seeks to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 and Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A. to require coverage for healthcare services for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) in accordance with nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. 1 in 200 children in the United States is affected by either PANS or PANDAS, which affects children’s behaviors. Many insurance companies deny treatment. Functional integrative medicine is a treatment for these children. Strep throat can be a root cause of PANDAS. Representative Scoggins's own granddaughter is affected by the PANS pediatric issue — it generally does not impact anyone until they are three years of age and does not impact adults. Ozone therapy has been used with his granddaughter and IVIG to help fight off bacterial diseases. Some of the diagnostic tests are expensive — about $1000 — which are not covered by insurance company policies. 17 states have implemented coverage; 12 more states are considering legislation to get insurance coverage for PANS and PANDAS. The committee voted DO PASS, and the bill will move on to the Rules Committee.

House Education Committee - Curriculum Subcommittee

The Curriculum Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), convened on Thursday afternoon to consider the following measures:

• HB 81, authored by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), amends Title 20 to enter into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. The bill allows school psychologists to obtain equivalent licenses in any member state but requires compliance with the scope of practice laws in each state.

Representative Ballard presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that the Compact is already adopted in a number of other states. Margaret Ciccarelli of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators expressed her Association’s support for the legislation, noting that more mental health professionals are the number one request in a survey of Association members. Rachel Greenlee of the Georgia Association of School Psychologists also appeared in support of the legislation, emphasizing school psychologists' role in supporting the state’s literacy efforts. The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee.

• HB 105, authored by Representative Will Wade (R-Dawsonville), amends Title 49 to increase the indemnification award for deceased state public school personnel from $75,000 to $150,000, with payment options in installments or a lump sum.

Representative Wade presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that the need to update the indemnification award was highlighted by the tragedy at Apalachee High School in 2024. The General Counsel of the Department of Administrative Services confirmed there are sufficient funds in the state’s existing indemnification trust fund to accommodate this increase. Margaret Ciccarelli of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators expressed her Association’s support for the legislation. The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee.

• HB 192, authored by Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), is Governor Kemp’s “Top State for Talent Act.” The bill amends Title 20 to mandate the inclusion of programs from the High-demand Career List in the State Board of Education's career education curriculum for grades six through twelve and requires the Department of Education to develop and align focused programs of study with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities, ensuring they meet the needs of Georgia's workforce. It also revises the competitive grant program to prioritize programs aligned with high-demand careers and introduces individual college and career plans for students in grades six through twelve. Additionally, the bill establishes a return on investment analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs aligned with high-demand careers and requires the development of a report detailing the alignment of policies and programs across various educational systems to promote efficient use of state resources and expand postsecondary credential attainment opportunities.

Representative Gambill presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that it builds on HB 982 from last year and focuses on aligning and connecting the different legislation and programs affecting career and technical education over the last several years. Cindy Morley of the Home Builders Association of Georgia spoke in support of the legislation. The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee.

House Education Committee - Policy Subcommittee

The Policy Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), convened on Thursday afternoon to consider the following measures

• HB 12, authored by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie), amends Title 20 to revise the definition of a "qualified local school system" by reducing the minimum required millage rate or effective millage rate from 14 mills to 10 mills for purposes of equalization. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision for a 25% reduction in equalization grant awards for school systems that fail to meet the new minimum millage rate requirement.

Representative Cannon presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that there are local school districts that want to reduce their millage but are not incentivized to do so because of the 14 mill minimum that must be maintained to receive equalization. The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee.

• SB 37, authored by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), amends Title 20 to require local school systems to provide notice to employees regarding social security withholdings and eligibility for inclusion in certain benefits, pension, or retirement plans. Starting from July 1, 2025, local school systems would be required to provide new employees with notifications regarding whether social security taxes will be withheld from their pay, their eligibility for coverage under Title II of the Social Security Act, and their eligibility for any other pension or retirement plans. Additionally, if employees are eligible for any plans, they must be provided with relevant information about these plans. By December 31, 2025, and at least once every five years thereafter, current employees must also receive this notification. Furthermore, upon an employee's separation, the school system must inform them whether social security taxes were withheld during their employment.

Representative Leverett presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that the bill passed out of the House last session (HB 846) but failed to achieve final passage in the Senate. The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee.

• HB 118, authored by Representative Rick Townsend (R-St. Simons Island), amends Title 20 to require that childcare learning centers and family childcare learning homes maintain at least one portable airway clearance device. It also requires that certain employees of such centers and homes be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Representative Townsend presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that he crafted the bill to make it as accessible as possible with regard to obtaining devices and training for staff. Rick Ward of the Georgia Chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics appeared in opposition to the bill, explaining that portable airway clearance devices are not FDA-approved or endorsed by medical associations. He noted that CPR “is the gold standard” for responding to choking in children. The subcommittee TABLED consideration of the measure pending further conversations between the author, subcommittee members, and the medical community.

Regulated Industries Committee - Regulatory Subcommittee

Chaired by Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth), this subcommittee met briefly upon adjournment of the House on Thursday afternoon to consider two measures.

• HB 148, by Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta), provides for a new pathway for aspiring CPAs. In addition to a four-year degree plus a one-year master's of accountancy, this bill would allow eligibility with a four-year undergraduate education plus two years of experience (and pass the CPA exam). Rep. Carson, a CPA himself, testified that he learned more doing hands-on work from October to April during his first tax season than he did in a year of master's classes. The legislation is supported by GA society of CPAs, State Board of Accountancy, and the “Big Four” accounting firms. Done in 35 other states. Received a DO PASS recommendation and will go on to the full committee.
• HB 185, authored by  Rep. Ginny Ehrhart (R- Professions and businesses; repeal and reenact Chapter 11A, the Dietetics Practice Act. This measure passed through the House Health Committee Last year (HB 884) but didn’t make it out of Senate Rules near the end of the session. It modernizes the language in the Dietetics Practice Act, which was first passed 30 years ago and has remained unchanged. Provides pathways to licensure to more qualified nutritionists and includes an interstate licensure compact, so those with licenses can move freely between the states that are part of the compact. Robin Steagall, a registered dietitian touted the benefits of this bill and how it is needed to increase access to nutrition care. Jett Tony, on behalf of Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said that he’s never seen this much work go into a bill. He said that everyone has worked very hard, and they’re pleased to have this legislation before the committee quickly in hopes of avoiding the late-session rush in Senate Rules. The committee voted DO PASS, and the bill moved on to the full committee.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Chaired by Senator Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), the Senate Judiciary Committee convened Thursday afternoon to hear three bills.

• SB 9, authored by Senator John Albers (R-Alpharetta), is the "Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act". The bill amends Titles 16 and 17 to target the distribution of obscene material generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance penalties for crimes involving AI. It creates a new offense for distributing computer-generated obscene material depicting a child, defined as anyone under 16 years old, and sets a standard for determining obscenity, focusing on community standards and the material's lack of serious value. The bill also defines an "artificial intelligence system" and lists various offenses, including stalking and exploitation, that qualify for enhanced penalties if AI is used. The bill was heard on Monday and returned to committee with a substitute. Senator Elena Parent (D-Decatur), a mother of a teenage boy, is concerned that this bill could punish minors more harshly than current laws because there is no “Romeo and Juliet clause.” The bill received a DO PASS recommendation, with Senator Parent voting no.
• SB 10, by Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), will provide an additional judge to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, which includes Cook, Clinch, Lanier, Atkinson, and Berrien. Each county is in support. Two judges are in the circuit now and have been that way for 45 years, but the population has increased by over 30% and the caseload has doubled. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• SB 12, authored by Senator Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), amends Title 50 to revise provisions in Georgia’s open records statutes related to documents and records in the possession of private persons or entities. Specifically, the bill ensures that open records requests go only to public entities, not their private contractors.

The Georgia First Amendment Foundation appeared again in opposition to the bill. They believe that this change is unnecessary, concerned that by forcing privately held records to be channeled through government agencies (instead of being obtained directly from contractors who own the records), requests will ultimately be slowed down. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation and moves on to the Rules Committee.

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 is in adjournment on Friday, Feb. 7 will reconvene for Legislative Day 14 on Monday, Feb. 10. The House will convene at 1 p.m.