Young love on the North Steps of the Georgia State Capitol on Friday.

Amidst the usual suits and blazers, white dresses and tuxedos have been appearing with increasing frequency around the Georgia State Capitol this spring. Apparently word is out amongst the city’s photographers that the hallowed halls of Georgia’s state government also look pretty good in wedding portraits. In addition to marble staircases and grandiose paintings in their backgrounds, the luckiest couples may also get to have unwitting lawmakers, lobbyists, and school children in their keepsake albums. And that’s fitting, because we cannot think of anything more romantic than the legislative process. Congratulations, and best wishes!

The General Assembly wrapped up the week before Crossover Day on Friday, and while most legislators made for the door by lunchtime, the hardest working state senators convened for several committee meetings before calling it a week. Senate legislation must pass out of committee before the legislature convenes on Monday in order to make the Legislative Day 28 deadline. Details on Friday’s actions 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 25:

• HB 66 - Ad valorem tax; expand definition of rental motor vehicle (Substitute)(W&M-Stephens-164th) - PASSED 164-2
• HB 240 - Mortgage lenders and brokers; prohibit unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions related to mortgage trigger leads (B&B-Williams-148th) - PASSED 165-0
• HB 303 - Original 33 Memorial Act; enact (SProp-Gilliard-162nd) - PASSED 167-0
• 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) - PASSED 166-0.
• HB 373 - Insurance; annual prostate cancer screenings for certain men; require major medical coverage (Substitute)(Ins-Glaize-67th) - PASSED 164-1
• HB 377 - Buildings and housing; manufactured homes; provisions (B&B-Leverett-123rd) - PASSED 166-0
• HB 422 - State employees' health insurance; include high deductible health plans (Ins-McCollum-30th) - PASSED 163-0
• 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) - PASSED 163-0
• HB 475 - Income tax credit; film, gaming, or digital production; revise a definition (CA&E-Gambill-15th) - PASSED 161-2
• HB 495 - Education; Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation; repeal (Substitute)(A&CA-Dickey-134th) - PASSED 167-0

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 25:

• SB 88 – Douglas Judicial Circuit; a fourth judge of the superior courts; provide (Substitute) (JUDY-30th) - PASSED 48-6
• SB 145 – Augusta Judicial Circuit; a sixth judge of the superior courts; provide (JUDY-23rd) - PASSED 53-0
• 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) - PASSED 32-22
• SB 153 – Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise, modernize, correct errors or omissions in, and reenact the statutory portion of said Code (JUDY-50th) - PASSED 51-1
• SR 247 – Loeffler, Kelly; commend (ED&T-51st) - ADOPTED 33-14

Committee Notes

Senate Insurance and Labor Committee - Subcommittee on SB 60

In a meeting before the sun peeked over the horizon, the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on SB 60, chaired by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), convened to discuss this measure:

• SB 60, authored by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), addresses the licensing of pharmacy benefit managers in Chapter 64 of Title 33. It seeks to provide that such managers have a duty of care to insureds, health plans, and providers. Chairman Robertson asked numerous questions about who PBMs are and where their obligations reside (with the insurer). It describes point of sale fee and rebates in addition to steering and spread pricing. In section 3, at line 80, the PBMs duty is described. The legislation contains transparency provisions as well as disclosure of any conflicts of interest. Lines 204-207 are the crux of the legislation according to its author, explaining the duties and particularly the duty of care to the patient. There are essentially three major PBMs. Insurance entities have taken control of PBMs but also CVS has a large PBM - the goal is to steer business to those pharmacies. Senators asked about what other states do regarding duty of care; the author noted that nine other states are looking at the issue. “Duty of care” was described to the Subcommittee by the Chairman.

The following testimony was provided:

Sara Bahlog, PHARMA (the trade association of brand manufacturers), expressed this was leveling the playing field to all stakeholders, including PBMs, and their duty of care.  PBMs are a huge stakeholder in the healthcare ecosystem. Each has a duty of care - including her members. Robertson noted the issues around the duty of care which may have been forgotten, citing recent actions taken against insurance executives and others. PHARMA supported the legislation.The PBM signs a contract with the insurer.  PBMs are often vertically integrated entities, steering the pharmacy business to their pharmacies. There are no requirements for PBMs to share rebates (which are provided by manufacturers of the medications). What is the advantage of giving a rebate to the PBM? That is proprietary information per Ms. Bahlog. The goal is to get the medications on formularies and help patients. Health plans and patients often do not know about the conflicts of interest that PBMs may have. Other states in her region are not promoting such legislation, but the idea of duty of care has been discussed in other states (she is giving more information to the Chairman on this).  It is model language which PHARMA’s legal team has worked on. PHARMA’s members have a duty to provide medication which is safe and effective - Senator Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick) drilled on whether that duty was to provide medications as cost effective as possible. Rebates are a part of the negotiation process. The legislation does not touch PSAOs (Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations).

Kash Trivedi and Michael Power, with PCMA, spoke to the legislation. PBMs do have a duty of care to the plan sponsors to administer the drug benefit — to apply the duty further is another layer. Power argued that some of this already exists. Spread pricing is defined in the legislation but not used in the legislation. Spread pricing is a “fixed fee” for providing drug benefit. Virginia has also had similar legislation, but it did not make it out of committee. PBMs do negotiate on rebates. PBMs use buying power as they cover more than 270 million people. 98-99% of rebates go back to the plan sponsor so they can smooth premiums, point-of-sale option, or other healthy benefit for the insureds (like the benefits offered by the State Health Benefit Plan to its members). There are other laws now in Georgia on PBMs which do require reports back to the Department of Insurance (that law passed in 2020). There are fees which do exist (like data fee) that PBMs charge. Most plans are fee-for-service and have moved away from spread pricing in contracting (if used, generally smaller employers with less than 1,000 employees). 70 full service PBMs are in the United States. Only a few have a health plan, PBM and pharmacy (or are vertically integrated). There should be an ERISA exemption in the legislation.  The concern too is the legislation is attempting to regulate private business. Lines 185-192, and 198 discuss various duties which PCMA believes are in conflict. The definition of “pharmacy benefits management services” is broad, sounding like anyone who touches a drug is a PBM. Lines 208-209, when a person is aggrieved can bring an action, Mr. Power believes that anyone could bring a cause of action because of the definition of pharmacy benefits services. Mr. Power noted that he had not met with the author of the legislation. Senator Hodges asked what the duty of care should be of the PBM - it is to save money for the plan sponsor according to Mr. Power (to negotiate prices).

Collier Williams, a volunteer with the National MS Society, spoke in favor of the bill.  He argued that MS patients need access to medications as they serve as a lifeline to those individuals.  The MS Society seeks transparency and accountability.

Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) argued in his closing that everyone is “in it for the money.” ERISA plans are a red herring; states cannot regulate ERISA plans.

This meeting was hearing only; no action was taken on SB 60 on Friday.

House Higher Education Committee

The House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), met at 8:00 AM on Friday morning for a quick meeting to hear two bills for the first time:

• HB 18, by Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), would add a residency requirement for high school students to participate in Dual Enrollment. Currently, the only requirement is that a student must be enrolled in a Georgia highschool. The author remarked that it’s not a question of who is deserving, rather a question of who is legally eligible, in the same way we apply rules for in-state or out-of-state tuition. Representative Jasmine Clark (D-Lilburn) said that this would only affect roughly 2% of students (so it won’t save much money) and asked why we should be taking opportunities away from “literal children” who have no control over their residency status. Chairman Martin pointed out that just because someone can do something doesn’t make it legal. Dr. Tene Davis, former director of Georgia State University's Early College, spoke in opposition. In her 15 years there, she observed that early college students are often first generation college students, they achieved over a 90% retention rate, 100% college acceptance rate, and 86% college enrollment rate. Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella) pointed out how this bill would conflict with the State’s efforts to develop its workforce. No vote was taken; hearing-only.
• HB 602, by Representative Tim Fleming (R-Covington), seeks to deny state funds for loans, grants, and scholarships for any student convicted of certain criminal offenses on campus (destruction of property associated with non-peaceful protesting). The author explained that the purpose of the bill is to discourage violent, harassing, or materially disrupting student activity on higher ed campuses. Last year there were over 1000 arrests of students nationwide. Representative Jasmin Clark (D-Lilburn) asked why we need to make this law if schools already have rules around this? The author said that it would be another layer to further deter this behaviour. Representative Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) asked if this measure would protect groups on both sides of an issue, say a group of students in the Black Lives Matter movement from students in the Nazi movement? Yes. Christopher Bruce, Policy and Advocacy Director for the ACLU of GA, spoke in opposition of the bill but first admonished the Chairman for only allowing such a short amount of time. The position of the ACLU  is that this bill would unconstitutionally punish students for exercising their First Amendment rights. He believes that an unintended consequence would be that rowdy celebrations after winning a football game could also trigger this law.

Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee

After completing floor actions, the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee took up the following measures:

• SB 122, authored by Senator John Albers (R-Roswell), enacts the Craft Beer and Local Economy Revitalization Act in Chapters 1 and 5 of Title 3. The bill introduces provisions allowing manufacturers of malt beverages to sell or donate their products under specific conditions. Notably, brewers and brewpubs can directly donate malt beverages to charitable events, provided the amount does not exceed what is necessary for the event, and any unused beverages are returned within 24 hours post-event.

Senator Albers asked that the Committee take no action on the bill and keep it for further consideration next year. He asked that the bill’s proponents work with opponents during the offseason to allow Georgia to become the last state to allow this activity.

• SB 142, authored by Senator Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain), amends Title 43 to establish a pathway for international medical graduates to obtain medical licensure in Georgia, involving provisional, limited, and full licenses, with specific criteria and conditions for each stage. The legislation mandates that all licenses are subject to the rules and regulations of the medical board, which retains the discretion to grant, deny, or revoke licenses. Additionally, the board is tasked with coordinating with relevant state health departments to ensure that IMGs with limited licenses serve in underserved areas.

Senator Jackson presented the bill to the Committee, emphasizing that it only allows international medical school graduates to practice where there is actual need. It has several levels of licensure along a four-year pathway to practice and provides the Composite Medical Board with latitude to make additional rules to implement the program. Senator Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville) expressed concern about the potential language barriers, to which Senator Jackson noted that there are several safeguards to ensure program participants can communicate with patients. Senator John Albers (R-Alpharetta) asked whether Senator Jackson would be willing to work with the Composite Medical Board in the offseason to perfect the bill, noting that he had a list of amendments that were proposed by the Board. Senator Jackson said she had endeavored to work in good faith with the Board, but the Board also has to come to the table. A representative of the Board explained that they first started working on this bill on January 3, and the Board still has concerns with the Substitute under consideration. She outlined a number of the concerns, including a desire that international medical school graduates spend the first two years working in a teaching institution and time out of practice. Chairman Cowsert withheld action on the bill but asked the Board to work with Senator Jackson to try to resolve concerns, and

• SB 194, authored by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), amends Title 40 to authorize the production of distilled spirits by a person in his or her private residence. The primary provision allows individuals to produce distilled spirits at home, with a cap of 5 gallons per year for households with one legal drinking age resident and 10 gallons for those with two or more. However, production is limited to 2.5 gallons within any 90-day period.

Senator Hufstetler presented the bill to the committee, explaining that it is aimed at allowing citizens to distill small amounts of spirits at home. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 203, authored by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), enacts the Georgia Homegrown Solar Act of 2025 in Chapter 3 of Title 46.

Senator Anavitarte asked that the committee hold action on the bill.

• SB 221, authored by Senator Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek), revises the Massage Therapy Practice Act in Chapter 24A of Title 43 to address the number of education hours required. Specifically, the bill revises the existing statute by raising the minimum hours of course and clinical work from 500 to 625 hours.

Senator Still presented the bill alongside Patty Glenn, Director of Education and Professional Mobility for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, noting that raising the number of hours brings Georgia up to a national standard and helps fight human trafficking. Ms. Glenn also noted that increasing the minimum hours would allow Georgia trainees to continue to access Pell Grants if a pending U.S. Department of Education rule becomes final. Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) asked if this bill is about making more money for massage training programs, to which Ms. Glenn said it is about training and competence and the increased hour requirement will be required for participation in the interstate compact. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 229, authored by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), addresses Chapter 2 of Title 3 to prohibit the issuance of wholesale consumable hemp licenses to wholesale dealers of alcoholic beverages.

Senator Anavitarte presented the bill to the committee, noting that it is aimed at restricting the distribution of hemp beverages coming in from out of state. Senator Carden Summers (R-Cordele) expressed concern that the bill regulates something that doesn’t need regulating. There were several speakers on the bill, but no action was taken.

• SB 239, authored by Senator Larry Walker, III (R-Perry), amends Chapter 18 of Title 43 to remove the requirement that funeral directors be licensed embalmers.

Senator Walker presented the bill to the committee, explaining that the bill recognizes that more people are choosing to be cremated and more individuals wishing to be funeral directors without becoming embalmers. The bill essentially creates two different types of licensure for funeral directors and funeral directors who are embalmers. Scott Young of Service Corporation International, the largest owner of funeral homes in Georgia, spoke in favor of the legislation. Cy Hume of A.S. Turner and Sons also supported the bill, noting that 72% of the funerals in his Atlanta facilities are cremations. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 256, authored by Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), amends Title 46 to require an electric membership corporation to disclose certain acquisitions and other information to its members within a certain time frame.

Senator Cowsert presented the bill to the committee, explaining that it is intended to add back certain reporting requirements removed in the final version of SB 422 passed last year. The reporting requirements only apply to Gas South, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC. Both Georgia EMC and Gas South testified that they agreed with the bill’s language. Oglethorpe Power has a neutral stance on the bill. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Senate Children and Families Committee

Chairman Kay Kirkpatrick, MD (R-Marietta) hosted an afternoon meeting with two measures on her agenda.

• SB 259, authored by Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan), regarding procedures which are to be followed in a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect. The committee considered a Substitute this afternoon. Senator Brass shared a story from a constituent wherein the parents sought emergency care for their child, Ridge, during which the doctors suspected Ridge might have been suffering from shaken baby syndrome. A DFCS investigation then took place, which was horrible for the family, and ultimately determined that the child was suffering from another pre-existing condition. This measure is based on a Texas law: when a child is taken into temporary custody of a medical provider, the parents must be made aware of their right to engage another doctor for a second opinion. Senator Brass offered a Substitute, making sure that it was pediatric specialties be included and noted that the independent medical evaluation is not defined and a second opinion may be brought in from out of state. 

There was public testimony from several individuals. An attorney who handles these cases stated that no second opinion is allowed in these instances as a child is immediately taken into care. Thus, DFCS can be asked for access to the child but not physical access to the child.  Otherwise, they go to the courts which delays the process.  The longest case was three years for one family, expending $100,000 on the cases.

Colleen Puckett expressed her personal story — it was because of medical abuse. Her children were diagnosed without consultation of her, her husband, a psychological examination, or discussions with their family physician, etc.  Her children were taken into care; they were not reunified for 13 months. They now have a life-long trauma especially going to medical appointments.

Bailey Collins, mother of Ridge, shared her story that Senator Brass had referenced. It took a year to prove their innocence after being wrongly accused. During that time, they were separated from their son, who was only a few weeks old when he was taken from his parents. It was finally determined that Ridge had a rare medical condition, not shaken baby syndrome.

Kelly Lopez also testified about a hardship her family experienced. If they had a second opinion their experience could have been avoided. Her family was separated for 20 months and fought five years to clear their names.

An amendment was offered by Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) to name the measure Ridge’s Law. The author agreed to the amendment and it was unanimously adopted.  The bill received a DO PASS recommendation to LC 52 0281 S, as amended, without opposition, as Ridge’s mother Bailey looked on through tears of joy.

• SB 245, authored by Senator Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick), amends who may seek to revoke or amend existing grandparent visitation order. The legislation O.C.G.A. 19.7.3 of the O.C.G.A. to include grandparents within the category of those which may seek to revoke or amend a grandparents visitation order. This was brought by a constituent who had an issue with a grandchild (the child of their son). Their son passed away, and visitation rights were granted at that time. They, the grandparents, wanted to change their visitation rights, but found that they had no standing to petition under current law; this bill corrects that. The author acknowledged that he believes Georgia law should defer to parents’ wishes regarding their children, but he also believes that grandparents should not be completely shut out. This bill does nothing to change standards by which a judge may rule, simply gives grandparents standing to petition. The grandparents of whom the author spoke shared their emotional story with the committee and asked for their support of this measure. There was testimony from one other person, a family lawyer, who also spoke in support of the bill. There were no questions for the author, and the committee moved DO PASS, and the bill will move on to the Rules Committee.

Senate Veterans and Homeland Security Committee

Chairman Chuck Payne (R-Dalton) and the Veterans and Homeland Security Committee took up the following measures:

• SR 245, authored by Senator Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), is a resolution honoring Doug Collins. The committee considered LC 11 3036; Collins previously served in the Georgia House, as a member of Commerce, and now is the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Trump Administration. This initiative is a commendation of Secretary Collins. Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) said it would be great to have a direct line to someone on veterans issues. The Resolution received a DO PASS recommendation.
• SB 236, authored by Senator Kenya Wicks (D-Fayetteville), allows in O.C.G.A. 20-2-150 so that military personnel can enroll their children in schools when the military folks have a change in station. They can enroll in schools in the attendance zone where they intend to reside.  It requires the parent to establish residency. Senator Wicks acknowledged that this was her first ever piece of legislation. Kelli May Douglas with the Defense State Liaison Office spoke in support of the legislation.  Senator Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek) questioned the reference to residency requirements as many military personnel select a different home of record state. Home of record does not have anything to do with change of station per Senator Wicks. Senator Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) suggested making an amendment to specify the residency.

Former DOD Liaison and now Military Family Liaison supported the legislation. Georgia school systems read the law differently, and this is an effort to clarify the law on enrolling military personnel children. Senator McLaurin suggested the change of “physically reside”

Ed Anderson, Georgia Common Defense, spoke in favor of the legislation.  The issue of residency is paramount, but as an educator and parent, he experienced lapses in education with his children because of residency.

Senator Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) mentioned the federal law concerning military children and educating them.

A motion was made DO PASS; and the Senator McLaurin amendment (with four parts - line 22, replace establish residency with physically reside; line 24 establish a residency with physically resides; line 25 physical residency and line 27 add before residency.   The Amendment was adopted. The legislation received a DO PASS by Committee Substitute.

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 26 on Monday, March 3. The House convenes at 10 a.m., and the Senate will gavel in at 1 p.m.

The House is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 26:

• HB 89 - Public Health, Department of; require healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to provide the Maternal Mortality Review Committee with psychiatric or other clinical records (Substitute)(P&CH-Cooper-45th)
• HB 296 - Motor vehicles; presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format; provisions (Substitute)(MotV-Gaines-120th)
• HB 327 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated; amend various titles (Substitute)(Judy-Leverett-123rd)
• HB 358 - Agriculture; prohibiting acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain foreign persons and entities; provide for a definition (Judy-Smith-138th)
• HB 378 - State courts of counties; online publishing of terms; provide (Judy-Momtahan-17th) HB 413 Agriculture; prohibit local ordinances that prohibit operation of mobile sawmills on agricultural land (A&CA-Jenkins-136th)
• HB 416 - Local government; enterprise zones; revise class of retailer from which fees may be collected (Substitute)(GAff-Efstration-104th) Structured Rule
• HB 186 - Revenue and taxation; eliminate title ad valorem tax fee requirement for certain inherited vehicles (W&M-Ridley-22nd)
• HB 290 - Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law (W&M-Carson-46th)

The Senate is expected to consider the following on Legislative Day 26:

• SB 20 - Veterinarians; student loan repayment; who practice shelter medicine and in nonprofit pet sterilization clinics; provide; create the State Veterinary Education Board for Shelter Medicine and Pet Sterilization (Substitute) (H ED-32nd)
• SB 29 - DNA Sampling, Collection, and Analysis; collection of DNA samples of individuals arrested for the commission of a felony at the time such individuals are booked or otherwise processed by a detention facility; provide (JUDY-25th)
• SB 30 - Hospitals and Related Institutions; hormone therapies and pubertyblocking medications for certain purposes to minors; prohibit prescribing or administering (H&HS-1st)
• SB 31 - Income Taxes; all income received as retirement benefits derived from service in the armed forces of the United States or the reserve components; exempt from taxation (FIN-27th)
• SB 46 - "Government Serves the People Act"; enact (GvtO-16th)
• SB 51 - State, County, and Municipal Road Systems; contracting procedures related to the acquisition of certain professional services by counties and municipalities; revise (SLGO(G)-37th)
• SB 55 - "Dignity and Pay Act"; enact (I&L-4th)
• SB 56 - Georgia State Indemnification Fund; the Department of Administrative Services to purchase annuities for the payment of indemnification claims; authorize (Substitute) (I&L-31st)
• SB 74 - Harmful Materials to Minors; exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103; repeal (Substitute) (ED&Y23rd)
• SB 85 - Grants for Foster Children; a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; establish (Substitute) (H ED-6th)
• SB 111 - "Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act"; enact (ED&T-56th)
• SB 139 - City of Mulberry; change the corporate limits of the city (Substitute) (SLGO(G)-45th)
• SB 151 - "Joint Development Authority of North Fulton Municipalities Act"; enact (SLGO-21st)
• SB 175 - Elections and Primaries; use of ranked-choice voting; prohibit (ETHICS-29th)
• SB 185 - Correctional Institutions of State and Counties; use of state funds or resources for certain treatments for state inmates; prohibit (PUB SAF29th)
• SB 195 - Pharmacies; pharmacists are authorized to dispense preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis under certain conditions; provide (H&HS-52nd)