Scrappy the Owl of Kennesaw State University, Scribbles the Puppet, and the Macon Bacon all made appearances at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday.

While many lawmakers and lobbyists are characters themselves, the Gold Dome was filled with a number of other caricatures on Wednesday. Eagle-eyed onlookers spotted Scrappy the Owl as the early bird in the halls celebrating Kennesaw State University Day. Later, Scribbles the Puppet testified to the House Health Committee on the virtues of access to medical cannabis. But the Macon Bacon stole the show for Macon-Bibb Day, honoring the city’s continuing reign in superior sports team names that started with the infamous Macon Whoopee nearly three decades ago. See what lengths others went to get their messages across in this #GoldDomeReport. 

In this Report:

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

Floor Action

The House took up the following measures on Legislative Day 19:

• HB 38 - Education; needs based financial aid program; revise definition of eligible student (HEd-Martin-49th) - PASSED 169-3
• HB 117 - Food service establishments; require notification of the country of origin of seafood items (Substitute)(A&CA-Petrea-166th) - PASSED 165-7
• HB 148 - Accountants; education and experience requirements; revise provisions (RegI-Carson-46th) - PASSED 172-0
• HB 162 - Georgia Bureau of Investigation; restriction and seal of First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked; provide (Substitute) (JudyNC-Hagan-156th) - PASSED 172-0
• HB 177 - Domestic relations; protection for household pets in both family violence and dating violence protective orders; provide (Judy-Cooper-45th) - PASSED 164-3

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 19:

• SB 45 - Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase - PASSED 51-1
• SB 59 - Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; a limitation on leased property; remove - PASSED 50-1
• SB 89 - Income Taxes; amount of a tax credit based on the federal tax credit for certain child and dependent care expenses; increase - PASSED 49-0
• SR 56 - Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase - CA - ADOPTED 51-1

Committee Notes

Senate Education & Youth Committee

The Senate Education & Youth Committee, chaired by Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), met late Tuesday to consider the following measures:

• SB 126, authored by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), amends Title 20 to lower the age of eligibility from 18 to 16 for certain students to be enrolled in a completion special school. The bill revises the definition of "dropout" to include individuals aged 16 and older and updates the definition of "enrollment eligible student" to reflect this age change, allowing individuals who are 16 years or older and meet the dropout criteria to enroll in appropriate educational programs. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• SB 154, authored by Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), amends Titles 20, 35, and 43 to revise or remove references to the United States Department of Education from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Specifically, the bill updates references to the department to include “or its successor” in anticipation of changes at the federal level. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

House Insurance Committee – Life and Health Subcommittee

Representative Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) convened her committee Wednesday morning to hear presentations and testimony on four bills. This meeting was hearing-only, and no action was taken.

• HB 373, by Representative Lydia Glaize (D-Fairburn), seeks to require major private medical insurance plans to cover annual prostate cancer screenings starting at age 40 for men who have a family history of prostate cancer. Currently, coverage for annual screenings begins at 50 years old. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 10,000 new cases of prostate cancer in Georgia this year, which will be responsible for 1100 deaths. Georgia ranks 5th highest in cases and 8th in mortality rate. The cost of these exams ranges from $18-$84. Symptoms usually don’t appear before the last stage, but screening can catch it early. Derek Holloway, one of the author’s constituents who is a prostate cancer survivor, spoke in favor. Jesse Weathington, President of the Georgia Association of Health Plans, spoke in opposition of the bill as introduced, specifically the prohibition on cost sharing. Representative Glaize said that the substitute being presented had already removed that language, leaving some committee members to wonder what this bill would accomplish in practice.
• HB 100, by Representative Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge), is the “Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act.” A returning effort, which began a few years ago, the act would require all health insurers (other than the State Health Benefit Plan) to pass along no less than 80% of all prescription drug rebates at the time of purchase (instead of mail in rebates).  Collier Williams with the National MS Society expressed strong support on behalf of his organization. The Georgia Association of Health Plans is very much opposed, said President Jesse Weathington. This would be a mandate on small businesses, who are the ones who pay most of the premiums. Only 10-12% of individuals take brand name prescription drugs through their insurance plan — this bill would subsidize those consumers at the expense of everyone else in the pool. Representative Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) asked how rebate money will get to consumers? Weathington explained that the consumer is currently getting the financial benefit of rebates in the form of lower premiums, versus saving money at the point of sale. Kash Trivedi spoke on behalf of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), echoing Jesse Weathington’s remarks.
• HB 101, by Representative Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge), seeks an annual public report on the amount of prescription drug rebates and other price concessions applied to premium reductions for State Health Benefit Plan participants. “Tell us what you did and how you did it.” There was no discussion or testimony.
• HB 420, by Chairman Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) would require insurers to pay for genetic testing when there is a family history of cancers. There was no discussion or testimony.

Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee

Chairman Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) hosted an early meeting this morning.  The committee moved out the following measures:

• SB 28, authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), is the Lt. Governor’s “Red Tape Roll Back” legislation amending several titles including Titles 28, 31, and 50. This initiative creates a “super agency” of sorts to oversee other rule-making entities. This super agency is the General Assembly. The bill has some triggers included on when the rules would come before the General Assembly to be reviewed and approved (10% change). An economic impact analysis is included for rule review. There is a $1 million threshold over a five-year period included in the bill (Florida has a $5 million threshold). The goal is to reduce the “fat” in the rules processes. Some of the committee had concerns about the impact the changes would have on local governments which regulate things such as safety and environmental issues. There were other questions around what the Office of Planning and Budget or Department of Administrative Services’ impacts or thoughts were on the proposal. Senator Ben Watson (R-Savannah) noted that he, like many of his colleagues, gets calls from constituents asking for help to navigate the state’s processes (e.g. Medicaid, death certificates, etc.). The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation from the Committee by a vote of 7-4 dividing along party lines.
• SB 111, authored by Senator John Albers (R-Roswell), is a bill addressing data privacy.  It is similar to the legislation which the Senate passed in 2024.  It seeks to create the Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act in a new Article 37 of Title 10. The legislation creates data protection for Georgians and puts in place security parameters for their personal data. 20 other states have similar legislation. In the legislation, it further addresses “profiling” (how websites may track information that an individual searches) at lines 105-108. Mason Rainey with the Technology Association of Georgia spoke in favor of the legislation as did Dave Williams with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. It also received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the measure forward to the Senate Rules Committee.

House Health Committee

The House Health Committee, chaired by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), met Wednesday afternoon and considered four pieces of legislation.

• HB 227, by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), is the “Putting Georgia's Patients First Act.” The bill amends Titles 16 and 31 and reclassifies low THC oil as medical cannabis, updates related regulations, revises penalties, and expands eligible medical conditions for cannabis use in Georgia. Notably, the bill removes requirements that certain conditions be severe or end stage to qualify for medical cannabis and gives physicians more discretion.

Representative Dickey presented the bill to the committee, explaining his goal is simply to put Georgia patients first when it comes to medical cannabis. Andrew Turnage of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission expressed no concerns with the bill. Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) expressed concern that this bill is an expansion effort pushed by producers of low THC oil who need to sell more. Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta) expressed appreciation for changes to the bill relating to advertising and asked questions regarding how public awareness can be improved without promoting expansion of the program. Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) encouraged the commission to seek research funding at University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University to develop scientific findings of low THC oil’s efficacy for the conditions identified in the law. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• HB 329, by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), amends Title 43 to authorize certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform artificial insemination.

Representative Hilton presented the bill to the committee, noting that it was an issue brought to him by a constituent, Susie Schneider. Schneider is a nurse practitioner and appeared in support of the measure. She explained that nurse practitioners and physician assistants have the requisite technical skills to perform artificial insemination and providing authority for them to perform the procedures is supported by physicians. According to Schneider, every other state already allows this. The bill was described as pro-family and pro-life. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• HB 322, by Chairman Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), amends Title 43 to revise provisions regarding the Georgia Board of Dentistry issuance of a dental or dental hygiene license for the sole purpose of teaching or instructing in an accredited dental school, dental hygiene school, or academic medical center in this state.

Chairman Hawkins presented the bill to the committee, and Dr. Nancy Young, Dean of the Dental College of Georgia, explained the need for legislation. She stated that it is necessary to maintain competitiveness and keep students training on real patients rather than mannequins. Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) expressed concerns about the training and qualifications of foreign born dentists, to which Dean Young noted that the institution vets all candidates and schools in other states are already drawing faculty from outside their jurisdictions. Dean Young reiterated the high standards of the Dental College and desire to maintain those standards with a faculty-to-student ratio that the legislation would support.

Dave Pratt, representing the Georgia School of Orthodontics, all offered support for the bill. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• HB 154, by Representative Gary Richardson (R-Evans), amends Title 31 to designate ambulance services as an essential service.

Representative Richardson presented the bill alongside Representative Ruwa Romman (D-Duluth), who noted that police and firefighters are already considered essential services and the bill simply brings emergency medical service providers into that designation. Representative Romman brought the same bill last year, but it got stuck in the Senate. The bill will allow emergency medical services to get the same support that police and fire services get in the event of a disaster. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

House Judiciary Juvenile Committee

Chaired by Representative Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton), the House Judiciary Juvenile Committee convened to consider two bills.

• HB 253, by Representative David Clark (R-Buford), known as “Ethan’s Law,” which would provide limitations on ordering a child to be sent to a family reunification program out of state or against their will. Currently superior court judges are authorized to order attendance of family reunification camps out of state. Representative Clark said that we have thousands of therapists and professionals here in Georgia, so there is no reason to send our children out of state, out of Georgia’s jurisdiction. Also, Georgia allows children 14 or older to pick the parent of their choice (in a sole custody situation), and that right is ignored when a teenager is sent to a reunification camp against their will, or against the objection of the other parent. There were several technical questions and comments from members of the committee. A committee substitute will be presented tomorrow.
• HB 435, by Chairman Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton), amends OCGA 16-12-100 relating to sexual exploitation of children. Currently the law provides exceptions against prosecution for possession of sexually explicit images of minors when it is in conjunction with performance of official duties; this bill will add staff members of Division of Family and Children Services. There was discussion among the committee and comments from Graham Younger (Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) who would like to narrow the exception not to include everyone at DFACS, but only certain employees who have training to handle such sensitive information. Chairman Ballinger conceded the well meaning of such a change but questioned how that would work in practice, as many employees handle files that contain sensitive information. She was nonetheless willing to continue working on the bill as it moves through the legislative process. The committee voted DO PASS, sending the bill on to the Rules Committee.

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Senator Ben Watson (R-Savannah), met on Wednesday afternoon to consider the following measures:

• SB 130, authored by Senator Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick), amends Title 31 to expand medical education funding and the service cancelable loan program. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of designated teaching hospital to cover clinics and FQHCs participating in Medicare and Medicaid for purposes of securing facility funding under O.C.G.A. 31-7-95. It also expands the service cancelable loan program for providers in rural areas to cover those participating in residencies and fellowships in their final year.

Senator Hodges presented the bill to the committee, explaining that it simply expands two existing programs focused on increasing providers in underserved areas. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 140, authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), amends Title 43 to allow doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents to patients under certain conditions. The bill requires the optometrist to be present and actively involved in the dispensing process, inform the patient about the appropriate use of the pharmaceutical agent, document the details of the dispensed agent in the patient's record, and maintain a retrievable record system of all pharmaceutical agents used in their practice.

Senator Dolezal presented the bill to the committee, explaining that it does not expand the pharmaceutical agents an optometrist can prescribe but simply allows them to stock and sell those agents. John Whitlow, an optometrist from LaGrange, spoke in favor of the bill, noting that the bill will allow optometrists to provide better care for patients since pharmacies are not always open or stocking the prescriptions they are writing. Dr. Whitlow also explained that optometrists are not allowed to stock over-the-counter medications either under current law, and this bill will also allow that. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent 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 will reconvene for Legislative Day 20 on Thursday, February 20 at 10 a.m.

The House is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 20.

• HB 51 - Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; finance and perform certain duties for projects relating to natural gas facilities; authorize (Substitute)(RDev-Burchett-176th)
• HB 53 - Georgia veterans; allow certain persons to be buried in Georgia veterans cemeteries (D&VA-Bonner-73rd)
• HB 73 - Seminole County; Board of Education; provide nonpartisan elections (IGC-Greene-154th)
• HB 85 - Superior Court Judicial Compensation Reform Act; enact (Substitute)(Judy-Leverett-123rd)
• HB 86 - Public officers and employees; calculating and setting the salaries of certain state officials; revise provisions (Judy-Leverett-123rd)
• HB 90 - Revenue and taxation; increase maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property (W&M-Efstration-104th)
• HB 116 - Public Safety, Department of; Motor Carrier Compliance Division to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement; change name (MotV-McDonald III-26th)
• HB 147 - Georgia Technology Authority; annual inventory of artificial intelligence usage by state agencies; provide (T&II-Thomas-21st)
• HB 155 - Local government; selection and objection to arbitrators; revise procedures (Substitute)(GAff-Anderson-10th)
• HB 262 - Community Health, Department of; grant program for purpose of acquiring and installing backup generators; provide (RDev-O'Steen-169th)
• HR 32 - General Assembly; increase maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property - CA (Substitute)(W&M-Efstration-104th)

The Senate is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 20:

• SB 96 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated; provisions creating certain boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies; update and modernize (GvtO-49th)
• SB 98 - Guardian and Ward; county conservators; provide (Substitute) (C&F46th)
• SB 102 - Dogfighting; revise provisions (Substitute) (PUB SAF-29th)
• SB 138 - Incorporation of Municipal Corporations; transition of certain services related to newly incorporated municipalities in certain counties; provide (Substitute) (SLGO(G)-45th)
• SR 23 - US Congress; limited to proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected; apply to call a convention (RULES-46th)
• SR 96 - Purebred Dog Day; recognize May 1, 2025 (Substitute) (RULES-45th)