The bust of James Oglethorpe on the North Steps on Thursday.

With one week to go until Crossover Day, lawmakers and lobbyists are already feeling the exhaustion and exasperation captured in the face of James Oglethorpe’s bust on the North Steps. As committees convene constantly to advance legislation despite no hope of hearing it all, bill authors and advocates are either upping the aggression or resigning themselves to find a moving vehicle after Legislative Day 28. While it’s all setting up for long days (and nights) next week, all in the hallways agree that Friday and the short respite it brings cannot come soon enough.

The House and Senate floors were both active on Thursday, with the House passing the Riley Gaines Act (HB 267) alongside three measures protecting and expanding access to fertility treatments (HB 94, HB 329, and HB 428). Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously passed the second piece of Governor Kemp’s tort reform package, aimed at addressing third party litigation funding (SB 69). More on the floor action and flurry of committee work 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 24:

• HB 94 – Insurance; medically necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation services when a medically necessary treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus may directly or indirectly cause an impairment of fertility; require coverage (Hth-Lumsden-12th) – PASSED 162-2
• HB 113 - State government; prohibit the state or its agencies from purchasing goods from certain foreign countries or related entities (GAff-McDonald III-26th) – PASSED 148-17
• HB 143 - Water resources; water-measuring devices for farm use of surface and ground water; revise provisions (Substitute)(NR&E-Dickey-134th) – PASSED 165-0
• HB 163 - Food service establishments; certain food products be disclosed as containing cell cultured meat and plant based meat alternatives; require (A&CA-Ridley-22nd) – PASSED 161-3
• HB 169 - Ad valorem tax; breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar generation of energy; limit exceptions (Substitute) (W&M-Cannon-172nd) – PASSED 160-0
• HB 187 - Professions and businesses; contractors; change certain provisions (Substitute)(RegI-Washburn-144th) – PASSED 157-2
• HB 227 - Putting Georgia's Patients First Act; enact (Substitute)(Hth-Dickey-134th) – PASSED 164-1
• HB 241 - Contracts; convenience fees for payment by electronic means; revise provisions (Substitute)(B&B-Rhodes-124th) – PASSED 160-3
• HB 254 - State government; provide placement of Revolutionary War Patriots marker on state capitol building grounds and state archives building grounds (SProp-Buckner-137th) – PASSED 166-0
• HB 267 - Riley Gaines Act; enact (Substitute)(Ed-Bonner-73rd) (Rules Committee Substitute LC 49 2300S) – PASSED 102-54
• HB 329 – Professional and businesses; authorize certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform artificial insemination (Hth-Hilton-48th) – PASSED 167-0
• HB 428 – Health; codify right to in vitro fertilization for individuals (Hth-Franklin-160th) – PASSED 172-0 

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 24:

• SB 42 - Penalties for violating Code Sections 16-6-9 through 16-6-12; certain penalty provisions for the offense of prostitution, keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, and pandering; repeal (JUDY-50th) – PASSED 50-0
• SB 69 – Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act"; enact (JUDY18th) – PASSED 52-0
• SB 101 - Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; testing in the newborn screening system; require (H&HS-29th) – PASSED 46-4
• SB 131 - Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce; Georgia Health Care Professionals Data System; establishment (Substitute) (RI&U-3rd) – PASSED 49-1
• SB 141 - Revenue and Taxation; the appeal and protest period from 30 days to 45 days for tax assessments; extend (Substitute) (FIN-50th) SB 69 "Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act"; enact (JUDY18th) – PASSED 51-0

Committee Notes

House Appropriations Committee

Chairman Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin) convened his committee for an 8am meeting where the took up the following items:

• HB 579, by Representative Matt Reeve (R-Duluth), revises provisions of professional licensing boards in order to streamline processes. The author stated that we need 21st century professional licensing that is user friendly. He explained that the Speaker and Lt. Governor had appointed a committee to study the issue. There were four meetings: one each in Statesboro and Macon, and two others around the state. The study committee heard 12 hours of testimony from 30 members of the public, eight agencies, and seven licensing boards. Most frequent input was that customer service and response times must be improved. Application requirements can be burdensome for applicants and for staff. There were more than 550,000 active licenses at the beginning of this year. Nurses are the most numerous. There are 42 boards overseeing 186 professions, and the Professional Licensing Division has 95 employees. The bill was thoroughly vetted in subcommittee, so the full committee did not spend much time on discussion beyond a few friendly comments, and the committee voted DO PASS unanimously.
• HR 29, by Representative Camp (R-Concord), proposes a constitutional amendment to provide that the General Assembly will appropriate funds that the state receives from certain legal judgments or settlements. “The General Assembly shall appropriate all moneys and funds derived from any legal judgments awarded to the state on or after January 1, 2027, and any legal settlements entered into by the state or on its behalf on or after January 1, 2027.” This will apply to any amount over $10 million. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
• HR 130, by Representative Omari Crawford (D-Decatur), is a resolution to compensate a gentleman by the name of Mr. Sedrick Moore, who spent 23 years in jail for a crime that he did not commit. He was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault, and DNA evidence was used to exonerate him. There were questions from some committee members about Mr. Moore. Minority Leader Representative Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) said that “we are not here to judge his entire life, we are here to judge whether or not the State of Georgia should compensate him for being wrongfully convicted.” She further stated that if we put together a plan for handling these cases, we will not have to sit here over and over again to handle these cases. A few other members of the committee echoed Leader Hugley’s comments before the resolution received a DO PASS recommendation.

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Late Wednesday evening, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee cleared the way forward for Medical Cannabis.  Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan) described his committee substitute proposal to SB 220 to the committee. This is known as the Putting Georgia Patients First Act with several revisions made in Titles 16 and 31.  Among revisions made is the renaming of the program from the Low THC Oil to Medical Cannabis Program.  The proposal also removes the limitation to 5% Low tHC so that the physician and patient may make the determination.  Senator Brass noted that in other medical cannabis states, the percentage is between 50-70% concentration.  It also allows for vaping of medical cannabis (getting away from fluid ounces).  There is a two ounce limitation for 30 days supply.  The initiative also includes definitions for products; hemp is not included.  Food is also excluded (but gummies are permitted).  It also prohibits use of “flour” or “leaf product” to prevent the purchase of pre-rolled products. Additionally, the legislation repeals e-cigarettes to permit vaping (patients like the use of vaping as it allows more fast-acting relief). Crohn’s disease is removed from the list of disease states; in its place is “inflammatory bowel disease”.  Additionally, it allows individuals who have Lupus to benefit from the program as well as those with skin cancer (when it is a metastatic form).  Throughout the listing of disease conditions it removes severe and end-stage. Five individuals rose in support of SB 220; only one individual opposed the legislation (Michael Mumford with Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy). The majority of those in support had or were exposed to individuals with severe disease conditions and would benefit with the changes offered in the legislation. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee.

House Health Committee

Chairman Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) moved swiftly through his committee’s agenda this afternoon, taking up the following measures:

• HB 473, authored by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), is the annual dangerous drug update the General Assembly addresses in Title 16.  This legislation addresses, in part, synthetic mushrooms and sports’ doping.  The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the House Rules Committee.
• HB 522, authored by Representative Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas), seeks to prohibit in O.C.G.A. 31-1-24 that healthcare providers (e.g. hospitals, nursing facilities, laboratories, etc.) from discriminating against an organ donor solely because of the donor’s COVID 19 vaccine status. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the legislation forward to the House Rules Committee.
• HB 567, authored by Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), is the legislation to regulate teledentistry.  This legislation was offered last year but was vetoed.  The differences in the bill from the one proposed in 2024 were that it removes the insurance coverage mandate; it removes the in-person requirement for the patient to have seen a dentist before having a teledentistry appointment; and it changes the referral requirements.  Dr. Ben Jernigan, a dentist in Decatur, spoke on behalf of the Georgia Dental Association, supporting the 3,400 dentists in his Association.  It will clarify what dentists can do remotely.  Steve Tippins, the lobbyist for the Georgia Dental Hygienists Association, noted that his client previously opposed the legislation but had reached a consensus with the Georgia Dental Association.  However, he did ask the committee for some clarification on the Department of Public Health carve out and the in-person requirement previously required.  Members of the committee asked about what is telemedicine; it is the on-screen consultation with the dentist with a virtual assessment.  The goal is to save patients from unnecessary emergency room visits.  Hygienists, according to the lobbyist for the Georgia Dental Association, allow hygienists to perform under “general supervision” in these instances.  The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the Committee Substitute, LC 46 1179S, forward to the House Rules Committee.
• HB 571, authored by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), is the legislation amending Chapter 34 of Title 43, addressing radiology assistants.  It is a repeat idea from a bill which stalled in the Senate in 2024, and it seeks to create a radiology extender.  A radiology technician, to become a radiology assistant, would go back to school for two years.  These individuals are to help radiologists and increase their efficiency.  The Composite Medical Board would license these radiology assistants.  The assistants would work under a protocol agreement with a radiologist, and a radiologist will supervise three to four radiology assistants. Becky Ryles spoke to the legislation on behalf of the Georgia Radiological Society. Some amendments were offered to the proposal at the request of radiologists. Those amendments were adopted and the legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, as amended.
• HB 612, authored by Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), is amendments to Title 37 to add a member to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.  This Council is already composed of several state agency heads (e.g. Commissioners of Human Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Community Health). This legislation adds the Commissioner of Insurance to this Council. It also requires health care providers to report suspected mental health parity violations to an established parity compliance review panel (and the legislation outlines who will be on this “panel”).  The duties of the panel are also outlined including that it is to “establish and simple and intuitive process to receive complaints.”  This legislation, if passed, will take effect July 1, 2025.  There were individuals who rose to support the ideas in HB 612, including Caitlin Ward with the Carter Center and Jeff Breedlove, an advocate and lobbyist.  This legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the proposal forward to the House Rules Committee.
• HR 72, also authored by Representative Hawkins, creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access.  It will be composed of 12 members.  Ray Williams, with the City of Hope (f/k/a Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Georgia), spoke in support of the Resolution and offered his organization’s resources to help with this study.  Lynn Durham, the president and CEO of Georgia CORE, also spoke in favor of the resolution noting that she also was at the meeting on behalf of the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium.  She asked that the committee support the Resolution.  It received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the House Rules Committee.

House Special Committee on Resource Management

The House Special committee on Resource Management, chaired by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), met on Thursday afternoon. The committee was slated to hear a number of presentations, but testimony was truncated and limited to witnesses who had traveled from out of town due to time constraints caused by a long floor session. Presenters included:

• Clay Jones of the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, who spoke to the state of manufacturing in Georgia and how GAM engages in the energy planning and regulatory processes in the state, including intervention in PSC proceedings.
• Ben Chambers of RYAM, who talked about their work around biomass energy generation and sustainable aviation fuel.
• Jim Kelleher of Mitsubishi Power, who spoke to the increasing demand for gas electricity generation due to load growth. The company has a facility in Savannah and is #1 in market share for gas turbines. He noted that data centers are driving much of the load growth, but retirement of coal plants is also driving increased gas generation demand. The supply chain for turbines is “at capacity” and it will take time to catch up. Mitsubishi is looking toward hydrogen, as well.
• Josh Levi of the Data Center Coalition, who spoke to the increasing need for data centers driven by growth in data creation and connected devices. He described the current landscape for data centers across the nation and use mix in Georgia and other states. Mr. Levi also highlighted the arguments for supporting data centers, including generation of substantial tax revenue from sources including property taxes and energy sales taxes. He said that each direct job in the data center industry supports more than six additional jobs. Mr. Levi reiterated that DCC members are committed to paying the full cost of electric service.
• Maria Sabb of Amazon Web Services, who discussed her company’s planned $11 billion investment in data centers in Georgia and AWS’s approach to building and employing data centers. She explained that running workloads on AWS is up to 4.1 times more energy-efficient than doing it on premises.
• Jim Thornton of the Georgia Municipal Association and Mayor Ed Johnson of Fayetteville, who gave a “practical, real-time example” of how data centers are impacting local communities. A QTS data center is currently being built in Fayetteville, which will be the largest in North America when complete. The property previously produced tax revenue of $36,000 and has now already generated $1.13 million in property tax alone.

The committee was also expected to hear presentations from Environment Georgia and Science for Georgia, but those were postponed with the Chairman committing to hear them at a future meeting. At several points during the meeting, the Chair reiterated there would be opportunities for continued conversations with the presenters and others as the Committee is expected to conduct meetings and site visits during the offseason.

Senate Education and Youth Committee

Chairman Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) chaired an afternoon meeting of the Senate Education and Youth Committee, which considered four measures.

• SB 63, by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), is a bill to allow homeschoolers to take their PSAT, SAT, Pre-ACT, or ACT at the public school that they are zoned to attend, at no charge. Senator Elena Parent (D-Decatur) pointed out that today is AP (advance placement) day, and she spoke to many AP students, many of whom have to pay fees to take AP tests. She doesn’t believe that the public dollars should be paying for tests for kids who aren’t enrolled in our public schools when all fees aren’t even covered for tests that public school students are taking. Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) pointed out that the bill only requires public schools to offer the same tests that they also offer enrolled students free of charge; it does not provide anything to home school students that public school students don’t also receive. The committee gave a DO PASS recommendation.
• SR 217, by Senator John F. Kennedy (R-Macon), creates a Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools to explore causes and concerns and try to fashion solutions for truancy. 360,000 kids in GA were chronically absent (10% or more of school days). Chairman Hickman noted that schools in Georgia with the lowest rate of chronic absence should be consulted (Wilkinson County is lowest). The resolution received a Do PASS recommendation.
• SB 148, by Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), seeks for the Department of Education to establish a pilot program for outdoor education. The author described his experience as a young person whose school had an outdoor classroom: “ It was engaging, we were outside, it was fun, very good for me.” He noted that being outside is particularly helpful with teaching life science, biology.  An amendment was added to allow a maximum of 5 personal days off per year for teachers, raising the current limit of 3 days. The committee voted DO PASS.
• SB 124, by Senator Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek), expands the Promise Scholarship eligibility to children of active duty military. There are only about 33,000 of such students in the state, and it would not include students of parents who are retired military or national guard. The author explained that there was a recent order from the White House regarding the Department of Defense that federal dollars will follow every child wherever they go, to the school of choice. This measure does basically the same thing at the state level. Low-income families receive first priority. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Senate Rules Committee.

House Education Committee

Chairman Chris Erwin (R-Homer) convened his committee to take up several bills. The committee moved quickly through the agenda, as most of the bills had already been vetted in the appropriate subcommittee, so many of them will be familiar to readers of yesterday’s Gold Dome Report.

• HB 175, by Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), revises provisions for employee comprehensive background checks for early care and education programs and Head Start programs. The author described this as DECAL’s cleanup bill to bring Georgia Code in line with federal government and FBI language. DECAL does over 70,000 background checks per year. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the House Rules Committee.
• HR 145, by Chairman Chris Erwin (R-Homer), is a resolution urging the Department of Education and Department of Public Health to collaborate to prioritize the expansion of vision and hearing screenings at various grade levels to catch undiagnosed and untreated vision and hearing problems. Representative Erwin told a personal story of when his young son tagged along with him to an eye doctor appointment. While waiting for the doctor, his son sat on his lap and Erwin asked his son to read the smallest line he could see on the eye chart. He could not see the large letter E at the top of the chart; Representative Erwin’s son was legally blind, and they had no idea. Specifically, the short resolution says “The Department of Education and Department of Public Health are urged to collaborate in developing a comprehensive strategy and methods to expand vision and hearing screening for students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first, third, fifth, and eight grades, as well as for transfer students in all grade levels; and such comprehensive strategy and methods, once developed, shall be presented to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Education and Youth Committee and the Georgia Council onLiteracy to ensure alignment with state literacy goals.” The author described it as a literacy measure, noting that his own son fell behind his peers until they realized that he needed glasses, and he was then able to get caught up. The subcommittee voted DO PASS, and the resolution will move on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 127, by Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville), increases the number of accumulated sick leave days for teachers and other school personnel from 3 to 5. There was no discussion, and the subcommittee gave the bill a DO PASS recommendation. Note that this provision was also added to SB 148 in the Senate Education and Youth Committee earlier today.
• HB 371, by John Corbett (R-Lake Park), related to the Quality Basic Education Act capital outlay funding, increases the states maximum capital outlay from $300 million to $375 million. An increase in funding is needed for two reasons: 1) pre-k was added to the formula, and 2) construction costs have increased. The limit has not been updated since 2007. Representative Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta) asked what the application process is for local schools to apply for money. Mike Sanders, Director of Facility Services for the Department of Education explained that this impacts every school system across the state. The application process is from July 1 to August 15 every year. School systems apply for projects that need funding two years out: this year in FY 25, school systems will be applying for projects to be funded in FY 27. Funding priorities are based on need. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation and moves on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 12, by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) revises eligibility requirements for equalization grants. This bill lowers the threshold for equalization grant eligibility from 14 to 10 mills. The purpose is to account for significant increase in property values. The measure will allow, not require, local systems to rollback millage rate over time from 14 to 10. It also adds a 25% penalty for a locality that rolls back below the new threshold. This is returning from last year; it passed the House but did not make it to the Senate floor. The committee voted to recommend DO PASS.
• HB 335, by Omari Crawford (D-Decatur), is a bill returning from last session. It would require schools to provide mental health information to student athletes and require coaches to undergo training on mental health to be better equipped to protect student athletes. The bill passed the house unanimously last year, and the committee gave a DO PASS recommendation.
• HB 200, by Representative Debrah Bazemore (D-South Fulton), provides for the State Board of Education to establish a three-year pilot immersive writing program for eligible public elementary schools (subject to appropriation, of up to $2 million) to promote literacy. Connie Crawley, retired GA teacher, literacy advocate, children’s author, and developer of Share Your Story program, spoke in support. Strong writers become better communicators, problem solvers, and leaders. Unlike a traditional writing assignment which may ask a student to write a paragraph on a topic or an essay, an immersive writing experience develops step by step, day by day, and takes an idea through to fruition. Those in 2nd through 5th grades would write books, which could then be published and sold online. She gave an example of a book written by an 11 year old, A Different Kind of Hero, illustrated by Representative Bazemore’s granddaughter. It is currently available for sale online. Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) asked how many students the $2 million would cover. The Share Your Story program is only $30 per student, which includes teacher’s guides and video instruction. 

An amendment to the bill was offered by Representative Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) to to require that each new elementary school constructed on or after July 1 of 2027 that chooses to build a playground, the playground would have to meet standards for inclusive playgrounds (beyond simply what is required by ADA). This was born of an effort called Hope for Hall, in Hall County. There was some consternation from committee members about his attempt to use HB 200 as a vehicle for his measure, but he suggested that this is the time of the session when that happens but that if it isn’t the will of the committee he will report that back to his friends in the disability community. Representative Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) noted that the amendment to the bill will amend the same Code section as the original bill, and that they both advance good causes. Representative Bazemore accepted the amendment and said with a laugh: “At this point, I would love for my bill to pass.” The amendment carried, and the bill received a DO PASS recommendation from the committee.

• HB 235, by Rick Townsend (R-Brunswick), is the Georgia Supporting Living Donor Educators Act. The author explained that this is a cleanup bill. A few years ago, a bill was passed where state employees could donate an organ and receive paid time off, but teachers were left out. It allows 30 days of paid leave to donate an organ and seven days for a bone marrow transplant. Representative Townsend is a kidney donor himself. The committee gave the measure a DO PASS recommendation.
• HB 37, by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), was presented by Chairman Erwin on his behalf. It requires local school systems to notify employees regarding social security withholdings and eligibility for certain benefits. Some systems in the state do not pay into social security. Some teachers may be working in an exempt school system without knowing that they are not contributing to social security. Representative Leverett brought this legislation after having been made aware by some teachers who reached the end of their career before realizing that they had not paid into social security, and therefore failed to plan properly for retirement. The committee voted DO PASS, and the bill moves on to the Rules Committee.
• HB 133, by Representative David Clark (R-Buford), is the Student Character Development Act. The author described the measure as a simple bill, this measure would require all local schools to develop a policy to permit students to leave campus for one hour per week to attend a religious study. Parents would decide if they wanted their students to participate, and programming is privately funded. A number of schools in Georgia already do this. Representative Clark said that religion plays a huge part in all of our lives and can improve mental health and social wellbeing among students, and decrease discipline issues. This bill doesn’t require anyone to do anything, only provides an option for those who want to participate. The measure allows, but does not require, a school to give academic credit for certain classes. There was discussion about an amendment to strike the August 1, 2025 deadline and change the word “shall” to “may” in order to make it clear that the intent of this bill is to encourage this activity rather than to require it. The committee moved to table the bill, as they were running out of time to finish their discussion.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), met on Thursday afternoon to consider several measures.

Chairman Strickland (R-McDonough) presented Senate Bill 207 to amend provisions of multiple licensing boards to permit the grant of license even if anapplicant has a criminal record for certain unrelated crimes. The legislation, which nearly achieved final passage last year, requires boards to examine whether any criminal activity is relevant to the license activity the applicant seeks. The bill passed unanimously.

Senator Ed Spetzler (R-Marietta) presented a new version of his religious freedom bill (RFRA) to adopt in Georgia the federal standard for practice of religious activities that do not violate the establishment clause of the United States Constitution. Senate Bill 36 was supported by the Georgia Baptist Convention and other religious groups. Four speakers opposed the bill as leading to some practices that can discriminate against individuals on religious grounds. The Democrats on the Committee offered three amendments which failed on party-line votes. The bill then passed on a party line vote.

Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities

The Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, chaired by Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), met late Thursday to consider several measures.

The Committee first heard Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville) bill to permit intentional human decomposition as funeral home practice. The bill attracted some expected questions with wry humor, and Senator Williams and another funeral director described in some detail this practice. The bill passed.

Senator Carden Summers (R-Cordele) next presented his resolution permitting Georgians to vote on a constitutional amendment to authorize destination casinos and sports betting in Georgia. He explained the successful results of the Republican primary ballot initiative where 80% of Republican voters supported a citizen vote on the issue. He also described his proposal that the first two billion dollars of tax revenue be distributed to the counties equally and then $500 million per year for the following 10 years. He reported that he had 30 letters of endorsement of this proposal from county commissioners. Four speakers opposed the bill on the grounds that the social cost of permitting gambling exceeded the state revenue receipts.  Senator Summers wished to hold the bill without a current vote, but ChairmanCowsert pointed out that the resolution would not reach the Senate floor unless there was a committee recommendation.  He also indicated the bill would not come up again in the Committee meeting tomorrow.  Senator Summers relented and made a do pass recommendation.  The motion failed.

The Committee then heard the Chair’s bill to amend the hemp regulation statute to increase the THC content of hemp products.  This bill generated support and opposition.  The Department of Agriculture reported that it was able to regulate the proposals in the legislation and it passed.

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 25 on Friday, February 27 at 10 a.m.

The House is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 25:

• HB 66 - Ad valorem tax; expand definition of rental motor vehicle (Substitute)(W&M-Stephens-164th)
• HB 240 - Mortgage lenders and brokers; prohibit unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions related to mortgage trigger leads (B&B-Williams-148th)
• HB 303 - Original 33 Memorial Act; enact (SProp-Gilliard-162nd)
• HB 307 - Quality Basic Education Act; students significantly at risk of not achieving grade level reading proficiency or with characteristics of dyslexia; include provisions (Substitute)(Ed-Ballard-147th) (Rules Committee Substitute LC 49 2309S)
• HB 373 - Insurance; annual prostate cancer screenings for certain men; require major medical coverage (Substitute)(Ins-Glaize-67th) HB 377 Buildings and housing; manufactured homes; provisions (B&B-Leverett-123rd)
• HB 422 - State employees' health insurance; include high deductible health plans (Ins-McCollum-30th)
• HB 423 - Emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system; Next Generation 9-1-1 systems and services; provide (PS&HS-Wade-9th) HB 495 Education; Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation; repeal (Substitute)(A&CA-Dickey-134th)
• HB 475 - Income tax credit; film, gaming, or digital production; revise a definition (CA&E-Gambill-15th)

The Senate is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 25:

• SB 88 – Douglas Judicial Circuit; a fourth judge of the superior courts; provide (Substitute) (JUDY-30th)
• SB 145 – Augusta Judicial Circuit; a sixth judge of the superior courts; provide (JUDY-23rd)
• SB 152 – "Georgia Promise Scholarship Act"; the biological or adopted children of  individuals who are foster parents and who meet certain conditions shall qualify for promise scholarship accounts; provide (Substitute) (ED&Y27th)
• SB 153 – Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise, modernize, correct errors or omissions in, and reenact the statutory portion of said Code (JUDY-50th)
• SR 247 – Loeffler, Kelly; commend (ED&T-51st)