Lawmakers and attendees pose for a photo on the North steps for Georgia EMC Day at the State Capitol on Monday.

The Georgia State Capitol buzzed on Monday as power players from across the state assembled for Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) Day. Linemen, lawmakers, and electric executives all convened to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the charter of Georgia EMC, which represents the 41 electric membership cooperatives that collectively serve 4.4 million Georgians. And a few lucky lawmakers and lobbyists even got to take a ride in a bucket truck! However, everyone returned to work during an afternoon of committee meetings that we cover in this #GoldDomeReport.

On a more serious note, our team’s thoughts and prayers go out to former House Appropriations Chairman and current House Chief of Staff Terry England, who was injured in a heavy machinery accident on Saturday. We’re wishing Terry and his family all the best for a swift and complete recovery. 

In this Report:

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

Floor Action

The Senate took up the following on Legislative Day 14:

• SB 6 - Controlled Substances; determine whether a controlled substance has been adulterated; authorize the use of testing equipment (Substitute) (H&HS-32nd) - PASSED 55-0
• SB 8 - Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide (C&F-32nd) - PASSED 51-1
• SB 23 - Retirement; total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; raise the limit (RET-56th) - PASSED 47-8
• SB 35 - Property Insurance Policies; notice required to be given to a policyholder before the nonrenewal of his or her homeowners' insurance policy; increase the number of days (Substitute) (I&L-20th) - PASSED 55-0

Committee Notes

House Education Committee

The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Chris Erwin (R-Homer), met on Monday 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 committee, explaining that West Virginia and Colorado have already entered into the compact, and Nebraska and New Jersey are considering the legislation this year. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules 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 committee, explaining that the need to update the indemnification award was highlighted by the tragedy at Apalachee High School in 2024. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• HB 192, authored by Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), is Governor Brian 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 12 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 committee, 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. In response to a question from Representative Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia), Alex Huskey of the Governor’s Office highlighted a grant program included in the legislation to help with the cost of retooling CTAE programs for alignment with high-demand careers. The governor has proposed $1.25 million in the FY26 Budget to fund that grant program, and Representative Gambill also discussed the other sources of funding for CTAE, including local, state, and federal sources. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Before the committee took up the measures above, State School Superintendent Richard Woods presented to the Committee on the Department of Education’s priorities around school safety and literacy. Superintendent Woods spoke to the importance of school resource officers and crisis alert systems in every school to school safety and promoted literacy coaches. Chairman Erwin invited Superintendent Woods to engage with the Committee in upcoming discussions around cell phones in schools. Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) asked for any ideas on how to reduce local superintendent turnover and insight on how the state might be impacted by discussions around the future of the federal Department of Education.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman Erwin reminded members of the committee’s priorities of safety and literacy and asked them to help encourage their fellow legislators to try to address local education issues locally rather than introducing legislation that could bog the committee and district from the priorities.

House Ways and Means - Income Tax Subcommittee

The Income Tax Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), met to hear three bills.

• HB 111 was presented by its author. Rep. Soo Hong (R-Lawrenceville), one of the governor’s floor leaders. The measure cuts income tax rates 20 basis points, from 5.39% to 5.19%, effecting July 1, 2025. If certain revenue targets are met, it would trigger further reductions in subsequent years. The bill received a unanimous DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 112 - Rep. Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming) presented another bill on behalf of the governor. With the State’s $16 billion budget surplus currently on hand, this bill sends $1 billion of that back to taxpayers. Those filing jointly will receive a $500 refund, $375 for heads of household, and $250 for individual filers. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 290, by Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) is the Annual Internal Revenue Code update. This was the first hearing for this bill, so no vote was taken; Ways and Means has a two-hearing rule for every bill.

House Ways and Means - Ad Valorem Subcommittee

The Ad Valorem Tax Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain), considered four pieces of legislation.

• HB 90 and HR 32, by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry), seek to increase maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property from 2000 to 4000. HB 90 amends the Georgia Code, while HR 32 provides the necessary constitutional amendment. Both measures received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 52 was presented by its author, Rep. Carmen Rice (R-Fortson). It corrects verbiage in existing law to ensure un-remarried widows of disabled veterans or their minor children keep their homestead exemptions. First hearing; no vote was taken.
• HB 169 by Rep. Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie), repeals an exemption for breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar power. The author stated that this measure restores fairness in application of CUVA and FLPA tax exemptions. Solar installations should be treated like any other commercial or industrial application, which would breach the CUVA covenant for the entire tract, not just the portion of the tract on which the solar panels were installed. This removes an exception that was added in 2017. Current CUVA and FLPA agreements are grandfathered in until the end when they expire. These new terms would apply only to conservation easements entered into after the adoption of this legislation. Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe) asked if any of the other exemptions were also being removed, like wedding venues or cell phone towers; they are not. This was the first hearing on this bill, so no vote was taken.

House Ways and Means - Sales Tax Subcommittee

Chaired by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), this Ways and Means subcommittee heard two measures.

• HR 42, by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), ratifies the Governor’s temporary suspension of motor fuel tax in October 2024 during Hurricane Helene. This resolution is required since the Governor’s executive action took place when the legislature was not in session (though Rep. Gambel noted that it was issued in consultation with the General Assembly’s leadership). The resolution received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 165 by Rep. Lehman Franklin (R-Statesboro) proposes to exempt sales tax for materials that go into the construction of houses by 501(c)3 entities. This bill would lower the cost of construction for organizations like Habitat for Humanity, by roughly $8,000 for average units being built in Rep. Franklin’s district. Elizabeth Appley, on behalf of House ATL and other housing organizations, spoke in favor of the bill. She noted that we are in the midst of a serious housing crisis. Construction of housing units grew in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, but it dropped during the 2010s while the population continued to grow. By some estimates, GA needs 750,000 new houses over the next decade. An affordable one-bed housing unit in Atlanta rents for $1400-$1500/mo, but the market rate is closer to $2,000. The Home Builders Association of GA is also in favor. No vote was taken, as this was the first hearing.

House Ways and Means - Public Finance and Local Policy Subcommittee

Chaired by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), the Public Finance and Local Policy Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee held the final Ways and Means Subcommittee meeting of the afternoon and heard bills.

• HB 141 by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R-Dallas) was described as a simple but important measure that provides businesses a way to comply with occupational tax requirements while protecting private information. Instead of submitting tax returns or other proprietary financial data, this bill allows businesses to submit a CPA affidavit in lieu of full financial disclosures. There are cybersecurity risks, and not all local governments have good data protection. Would not prohibit any existing method of reporting, but adds another option. First hearing, therefore no vote was taken.
• HB 79 was presented by its author, Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta). This bill returns from having passed the House last year by a vote of 162-3 but ran out of steam across the hall in the Senate. The measure provides an income tax credit of $300 for the purchase of safe storage devices or for in-person safe firearm handling training. No vote was taken; first hearing.

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Chairman Ben Watson (R-Savannah) and his committee met to take up the following measures:

• SB 101, authored by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), addresses Duchenne muscular dystrophy in O.C.G.A. 31-12-6 and how it can be screened in the newborn hearing screening process for babies. The Department of Public Health outlined the process now in place for the screenings done and what the Committee on Newborn Screenings reviews: morbidity, mortality, prevalence, etc.  The process is separate from what Senator Robertson has proposed. Generally, a pilot program is conducted before the screening is added to the panel.  The Department of Public Health did not oppose this initiative; they outlined how the process works now.  There would be some costs associated with adding this test to the screening process — about $8 per screening per child. The last disease added to the screenings was KrabbeA and that was after a three-year pilot where only one child was found. In adding Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, it is projected that 3,500 children will be found; using this legislative route will eliminate the pilot effort (which does use experts in the field to make recommendations). A neurologist and parent spoke in favor of passing the proposal. While some lawmakers questioned circumventing the current process, the legislation received a DO PASS with two Senators opposing passage.
• SB 72, authored by Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan), enacts the Hope for Georgia Patients Act in Chapter 52 of Title 31. The effort allows individuals to access individualized investigational treatments that have not been FDA-approved.  These patients have life-threatening illnesses or a severely debilitating illness. It is based on an Arizona law that has now been adopted in several states. The bill received unanimous support in a motion to DO PASS, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), met late Monday to begin consideration of the Governor’s tort reform package. The hearing room was packed when Chair Strickland called the hearing on SB 68.  The Chair is limited testimony to one hour on each side, to be allocated after a presentation by the bills’ author, Senator John Kennedy (R-Macon). Senator Kennedy brought a Substitute to the original bill that reflects negotiations to date among the two parties. 

Substitute LC 49 2233 has differences from the original bill, which Sen. Kennedy presented after a summary introduction. Section 1 allows some presentation about non-economic damages. Section 2 allows a motion to dismiss rather than an answer in circumstances where the wrong person is named as a defendant. The section allows a motion for a more definite statement before an answer must be filed and this stays discovery and answer deadlines.  It also allows the court to act against dilatory tactics to increase the time and cost of a suit.  The bill limits the voluntary dismissal to a time after a defendant’s answer has been filed.  This allows a plaintiff to better evaluate its prospects and preserve an opportunity to file another suit. Section 4 prevents a plaintiff lawyer’s ability to get double awards for attorneys’ fees. This responds to multiple different sections of the code from permitting multiple suits. Section 5 allows the lack of use of a seat belt to be disclosed to the jury. Section 6 deals with premises liability suits. It is limited to negligent security claims. The proposed bill is trying to limit a store owner’s responsibility for the acts of a third party committing a crime on the premises, such as a murder. The proposed law sets standards for bringing a negligent security suit. The sub carves out human trafficking cases from the standards.  Bill seeks to encourage the hiring of security companies and says the contractors are held to the same standards as an owner. Section 7 deals with inflated damages issues. It is about special damages and reimbursement for medical claims. It limits the claim to what has actually been paid to a provider rather than what has been charged. The damages are limited to actual costs incurred by a plaintiff. Numerous other states have already adopted this standard.  Section 8 deals with bifurcating the liability decision by the jury from the assessment of damages. Evidence and decision on liability are decided first and then evidence is presented on relevant damages. 

Sen. Kennedy’s presentation lasted until after 5 PM, when the Gold Dome Report is published.  Testimony supporting and opposing SB 68 continues as this edition goes live.

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 15 on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m.

The House has not set a Rules Calendar for Legislative Day 15.

The Senate is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 15:

• SB 39 - Employees' Insurance and Benefits Plans; expenses for gender-affirming care under the state health benefits plan or with any state funds; prohibit coverage (Substitute) (I&L-19th)
• SB 84 - Special License Plates; specialty license plate honoring the Shepherd Center; establish (Substitute) (PUB SAF-56th)