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March312025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 11

We and our House colleagues returned to the Capitol on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to begin the 11^th week of the 2025 legislative session. In a lead up to the Sine Die deadline, we were very busy and passed numerous pieces of important legislation, including several bills that passed over from the Senate. They are now on their way to the governor’s desk for his signature or his veto. Throughout this process, we remained focused on delivering meaningful solutions for all our citizens. We will highlight some of the key measures taken up this week, and remain eager to advance more positive initiatives before this legislative session concludes next Friday.

The House gave final passage to Senate Bill 123 this week, a measure addressing chronic absenteeism in Georgia’s public schools. The bill formally defines chronic absenteeism as students who missed 10% or more of the school year. It introduces targeted intervention strategies to boost student attendance. Last year, 22.6 % of Georgia’s public-school students—approximately 360,000 children—were chronically absent, missing 10% or more of the school year. This underscores the need for this legislation. Additionally, schools and districts with high absenteeism rates would face added oversight under SB 123 – districts with a 10% or higher absenteeism rate would be required to form an attendance review team, while individual schools with chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 15 % would establish a dedicated review team. By establishing attendance review teams, schools could find solutions to chronic absenteeism and implement policies and support to get students back into the classroom. SB 123 now heads to the governor’s desk for his review.

The House also focused on addressing the needs of Georgia’s current and former foster children by supporting their pursuit of higher education through the passage of Senate Bill 85. The passage of this bill recognizes that supporting Georgia’s foster youth is essential to ensuring that they can advance their education and prepare for future careers as other young Georgians do. As such, this bill establishes the Georgia Foster Care Scholarship Act, it aims to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to current and former foster youth seeking postsecondary education. The grants would cover tuition, room and board, meal plans and textbooks at eligible institutions. Eligible students could continue to receive the scholarship until they earn a bachelor’s degree, exceed a set number of attempted credit hours or reach the 10-year scholarship limit. SB 85 was passed in the House by substitute and will now return to the Senate where they will review the House’s version of the bill.

Furthermore, we gave final passage to Senate Bill 72, which creates a legal safe harbor for rare disease patients and other vulnerable patient groups in Georgia. The bill allows hospitals and healthcare professionals to provide cutting-edge care to patients based on their individualized condition and DNA. Under this legislation, physicians would be allowed to prescribe medications and treatments that have not yet gone through the full FDA process. Oftentimes, individualized medications for diseases that are considered rare or affect a smaller patient group are not given a full FDA process because they are costly. Instead, these treatments may go through clinics that have received official Federal wide Assurances (FWA), which ensure that they comply with U.S. federal regulations for the protection of human subjects in research. Currently, patients with rare diseases seeking these treatments in Georgia may need to leave the state to receive this individualized care. However, under SB 72, these patients would have access to individualized and physician-approved medications in Georgia. This bill seeks to support vulnerable patient populations by allowing for physician and clinic-approved medications and treatments to advance the health of rare disease patients, ultimately elongating or improving their lives.

Based 2024 legislative year Senate Bill 465, Austin’s Law, in memory of Austin Walters, a fentanyl overdose victim, we and our colleagues gave House passage to Senate Bill 79, the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act. SB 79 is part of a broader initiative to combat fentanyl-related deaths in Georgia and to address opioid abuse more generally. SB 79 strengthens penalties for trafficking fentanyl. Specifically, it removes fentanyl and its equivalents from the current statute that governs opiates and creates a separate schedule of offenses for fentanyl. Under the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act, individuals found with at least four grams of fentanyl, or its equivalent, would face mandatory minimum sentences, starting at eight years and a $75,000 fine for amounts just over four grams and escalating based on the quantity involved. For example, the penalty for possessing 28 grams or more would be 35 years in prison and a fine of $750,000. SB 79 supports ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis in Georgia, including initiatives like making Naloxone more widely available in schools and public buildings. Fentanyl is incredibly potent, with just two milligrams potentially being lethal, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has found counterfeit pills containing up to five milligrams—more than twice the lethal dose. With drug trafficking organizations distributing fentanyl by the kilogram, SB 79 if approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, will strengthen penalties for those involved in trafficking this dangerous substance.

The House also gave final passage to Senate Bill 245, which allows grandparents expanded visitation rights in certain situations. This legislation permits grandparents who have been granted visitation rights to their grandchild following the death, incapacitation or incarceration of the child’s parent to petition the court and request a revision of their visitation rights up to one time every two years. Currently, under Georgia law, grandparents are allowed visitation rights in the event of a death of the parent, but this legislation would allow grandparents to go to court and request that their visitation rights be changed. The bill would allow a legal avenue for grandparents to modify existing visitation orders and ensure that any modification is in the child’s best interest, requiring clear and convincing evidence before a change is granted by the court. Lastly, the bill strengthens the legal framework for grandparent visitation rights. The goal of the legislation is to provide necessary and mutually agreed-upon updates to visitation rights, while prioritizing the well-being of children and their guardians.

As the end of the 2025 session draws near, several pieces of legislation have now received final passage in the House and Senate. We will highlight several bills that received final passage, meaning that these bills will now head to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk where he can sign into law or veto the legislation. One of these bills, House Bill 340, would instruct public school systems to implement policies to ban the use of personal electronic devices in the classroom from the start to the end of the school day for the purpose of keeping students engaged in their learning environments. House Bill 111 is also awaiting the governor’s decision and proposes a reduction in the individual income tax rate from 5.39 % to 5.19 %, effective after January 1, 2025. Similarly, House Bill 112, provides a one-time income tax refund to taxpayers who filed returns both in 2023 and 2024, is also on its way to the governor’s desk. The refund would be the lesser of either the taxpayer’s 2023 tax liability or $250 for single filers, $375 for head-of-household filers or $500 for married couples filing jointly. At the end of the week, the House voted to give final passage to House Bill 428, which would codify protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and is now awaiting the governor’s decision.

We also passed the following bills and resolution during the 11^th week of session:

Senate Bill 9, the Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act, defines terms related to artificial intelligence (AI) and would establish the offense of fraudulent election interference. The bill introduces the terms materially deceptive media and AI generated media and would criminalize the publication of this type of media within 90 days of an election with intent to deceive voters. The State Election Board would be authorized to investigate complaints regarding fraudulent election interference. The attorney general is granted concurrent jurisdiction with local district attorneys to criminally prosecute violations regarding fraudulent election interference upon recommendation from the State Election Board. The bill would clarify that the use of AI-generated content in campaign advertisements would not be unlawful as long as the proper disclosures are displayed;
Senate Bill 44, amends state law by revising the definition of the qualified local school system by reducing the minimum required or equivalent millage rate from 14 mills to 10 mills. This bill would provide for a 25% reduction of equalization grant awards for local school systems whose millage rate or equivalent millage rate does not meet the minimum requirement. A report created by the Department of Education would be sent to certain members of the General Assembly, the House Budget and Research Office, Senate Budget and Evaluation Office and Office of Planning and Budget each year by September 1. The report would show systems that received an equalization grant the previous fiscal year, the total amount of equalization earned over the past 10 years and list any systems with a millage rate less than 10%;
Senate Bill 63, amends state law to require local school systems to allow home study students to take the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, ACT or Advanced Placement exams offered by the school system to resident students. The local school system could require home school students to pay for such exam if the school requires all students to pay a fee to take the exam;
Senate Bill 69, the Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act, would regulate third party litigation financing in Georgia. This bill requires litigation financiers to register with the Department of Banking and Finance and to disclose pertinent information. It also includes specific restrictions, such as a prohibition on foreign affiliations. The bill would outline contract requirements, disclosure obligations and cancellation provisions to protect consumers. It would also establish penalties for law violations;
Senate Bill 105, allows a licensed veterinarian to practice veterinary telemedicine in the state under conditions outlined in state law and allows a licensed veterinarian or a veterinarian technician under supervision by a licensed veterinarian to practice veterinary teletriage under conditions outlined in state law. SB 105 would further allow graduates of a foreign veterinary medicine school who are able to submit a transcript, who have completed a residency program of two or more years and have received board certification from a veterinary medicine organization recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Board of Veterinary Specialties or other American Veterinary Medical Association board-approved organizations to be able to apply for a veterinary license in Georgia.
Senate Bill 112, creates a new article in state law to allow an HVAC system manufacturer’s warranty to be conveyed to a new owner of a residential property should a conveyance of property take place;
Senate Bill 119, revises provisions regarding when manufactured homes become real property, specifically through a certificate of permanent location. Additionally, the filing of a certificate of permanent location and the surrender of a certificate of title would not impose additional licensing or conduct requirements on the lien or security interest holder;
Senate Bill 193, authorizes the Technical College System of Georgia to establish the adult workforce high school diploma program, which would have a sunset date of July 1, 2031;
Senate Bill 233, increases the number of members of the Behavioral Health Reform Innovation Commission from to 30. The bill replaces the Involuntary Commitment and Workforce System Development subcommittees with the Addictive Diseases and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The commission’s abolishment date would be extended to December 31, 2026;

One of the highlights of the week was on Thursday when we had a visit from the City of Thomasville and the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce. Thy were here for the City of Thomasville Day at the Capital as well as to meet with several state agencies. As always, it is great to see folks from home.

On Monday, March 31^st, we will return for the 12^th and final week of the 2025 legislative session. In the final days of the 2025 legislative session, we will continue working for our districts and fighting for our communities. Please reach out to us with any questions regarding legislation that is still up for consideration.

Please don’t hesitate to schedule a phone call or a visit to the State Capitol to discuss matters that are important to you and your family. I can be can be reached at my office in the Capital Building 245-B until the last day of session which is April 4. Please know that I am in my Capitol office periodically each month after session concludes or can be reached via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246.

Please contact the District office to reach me in Thomasville once session concludes as this will become the office where I spend most of my time. You may also get constituent support in the District office for matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

March282025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 10

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, we and our legislative colleagues returned to the Gold Dome for Legislative Day 32, ready to resume our work on behalf of the people we serve. With only a few legislative days remaining in this year’s session, we are focused on important legislation that will bring real results for our communities and our state, and every moment counts as we work diligently. With just two weeks remaining until Sine Die on Friday which will be April 4^th, we want to highlight some important measures addressed during the 10^th week of the 2025 legislative session.

This week, the House passed Senate Bill 68, which brings balance to our courtrooms by preserving victims’ rights while eliminating incentives for frivolous lawsuits, helping to stabilize high insurance costs while lowering the “tort tax” every Georgian pays when the courts are abused.

The bill creates a new framework for claims related to negligent security, and limiting property owners’ liability in certain situations. SB 68 also changes how medical expense damages are calculated. Additionally, it requires courts to rule on a motion to dismiss within 90 days after the conclusion of the briefings on that motion. If the court does not issue a ruling within this 90-day period, a party would be able to file a motion to terminate or modify the case. However, this remedy would not prevent the use of other available options to address the court’s inability to rule in a timely manner.

The bill amends current state law to allow a party to file a written notice of dismissal at any time before the 60^th day after the opposing party serves an answer. It specifies that a property owner or occupier could be held liable for poor security if the plaintiff proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that prior incidents of similar wrongful conduct by a third person led to an injury. This liability would only apply if the property owner or occupier knew, or had reason to know, that the third person was or would be on the premises and if the owner or occupier had actual knowledge of the prior wrongful conduct. On Friday, the Senate accepted the House’s changes to SB 68, and the bill now heads to the governor’s desk for signature.

On Tuesday, the House passed the Dignity and Pay Act, a bipartisan bill that prohibit the Georgia Department of Labor from offering exemptions to minimum wage laws for individuals with disabilities. Senate Bill 55 also prohibits employers from utilizing certificates issued by the U.S. Department of Labor that allow companies to pay individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities below the minimum wage. Under current federal law, there are eight organizations in the state that have a federal waiver that allows them to pay workers below the federal minimum wage. If a Georgia company currently utilizes a federal certificate, SB 55 would require the company to pay individuals with disabilities at least half of the minimum wage between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Starting on July 1, 2027, employers would not be able to utilize these certificates to pay individuals with disabilities subminimum wages. The goal of this would be to phase out less than minimum wage payment to these employees. As we promote workforce development and job creation in Georgia, it is important that we also ensure equal opportunity and compensation to employees with disabilities – individuals who contribute in meaningful and vital ways to our state’s industries. With the bill’s final passage, it now awaits the governor’s signature to be enacted into law.

Senate Bill 109 also passed the House this week with bipartisan support. This bill, which mirrors House Bill 182 that we passed in the House earlier this session, provides much needed protections for Georgia’s active-duty service members and their families. Specifically, the bill prevents group life insurance policies from excluding or limiting liability for the death of an insured active-duty service member, unless the death is directly or indirectly caused by war or a related act. Currently, many life insurance policies, the term “active duty” is typically used. SB 109 would clarify that being on active duty alone would not be a reason to deny a claim. For example, if an active-duty service member is injured in a car accident while at home, on leave or stationed within the United States, their life insurance claim should not be denied simply because they are on active duty. SB 109 would guarantee that Georgia’s dedicated service members and their families are protected, no matter where the injury or death occurs, ensuring they receive the support and benefits they deserve for the sacrifices they make in service to our state and nation. The House’s unanimous vote on SB 109 gave the bill final passage where it now goes to the governor’s desk for approval.

Later this week, the House gave final passage to Senate Bill 58, the Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act, which allows for the licensing and operation of emergency organ transport vehicles as ambulance services to transport necessary personnel, organs, tissue or medical supplies to a time-critical organ transplant procedure. These specialized vehicles have been used for years to transport organs, but they are not explicitly designated as emergency vehicles in state law. SB 58 would eliminate any potential concern about their status as a critical emergency vehicle by codifying it in Georgia law. Under this legislation, these vehicles would be eligible to apply for licenses designating them as emergency organ transplant vehicles and would also be required to have insurance coverage, as other vehicles do under state law. The Department of Public Safety would be authorized to designate each vehicle by issuing a permit to operate flashing or revolving emergency lights. By allowing emergency organ transport vehicles to operate under ambulance service regulations, SB 58 – now headed to the governor’s desk, The bill ensure that organs, medical personnel and critical supplies reach their destinations faster, with the goal of saving more lives. In a similar effort to promote organ donation, the House also passed Senate Bill 84, which creates a special license plate recognizing the importance of organ donation. The license plate would read ‘Organ Donors Save Lives,’ and the funds raised by the sale of the license plate would be deposited into the state’s general fund. These two initiatives underscore the House’s dedication to supporting both organ donors and recipients, reinforcing the importance of saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes across our state.

We also passed the following Senate bills during the 10^th week of session:

Senate Bill 6, which allows for drug analysis equipment to be used to determine whether a controlled substance or its packaging have been altered;
Senate Bill 13, which allows the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to provide loans for the supply, distribution and storage of natural gas. The bill would provide for the transition from electrical lines aboveground to underground;
Senate Bill 35, which extends the required notice period for the nonrenewal of certain property insurance policies from 30 days to 60 days;
Senate Bill 98, which changes various references in state law to reflect “county conservators” rather than “county guardians” and add references to “county conservators” to other sections of state law. After July 1, 2025, when an individual designated as a county guardian is serving as a county conservator, that individual would be titled ‘county conservator;’
Senate Bill 153, which is the annual Code revision bill that would revise, modernize and correct errors or omissions to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The bill reflects the work of the Code Revision Commission that would repeal portions of the Code that are obsolete, declared unconstitutional or preempted or superseded by subsequent laws. Lastly, the bill would provide for other matters relating to revision, reenactment and publication of the Code;
Senate Bill 154, which amends state law by adding the words “or its successor” across Georgia Code after references to the U.S. Department of Education. The bill would update dated language by replacing a reference to student aid reports with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in state law;
Senate Bill 252, which allows municipalities with a population of 300,000 or higher to lease out, grant easements over or convey property to an independent school system within its boundaries. Property conveyed would be replaced with other property(s) that the governing authority deems to be of equivalent or greater value;
Senate Bill 276, which introduces new obligations for third-party health insurance payers regarding medical assistance claims. The bill would prohibit third-party payers from withholding payment for healthcare services that have already been rendered, preventing them from denying payment solely due to a lack of prior authorization. The bill would also require insurers to respond to inquiries from the state regarding the status of claims within 60 days;

We and our House colleagues will return to the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 25^th for the 11^th week of the 2025 legislative session. We are in the final stages of advancing legislation that could soon become law. We encourage you to stay engaged and keep track of the legislation that affects our community and your family. You can access committee schedules, livestreams and the status of bills on the Georgia General Assembly’s website. Please don’t hesitate to schedule a phone call or a visit to the State Capitol to discuss matters that are important to you and your family. I can be can be reached at my office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246.

Please contact the District office in Thomasville for any constituent matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com

As always, thank you for allowing us to serve as your representatives.

March172025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 9

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

The Georgia House of Representatives returned to the State Capitol following a fast-paced and eventful Crossover Day last week. We began our 9^th week on Monday, March 10^thwhich was Legislative Day 29. Now with Crossover Day behind us, the House began to review and vote on legislation that passed over to our Chamber from our Senate. Additionally, we and our colleagues successfully passed the House’s version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget, House Bill 68. This critical piece of legislation outlines and allocate the funding for the state’s operations and services in the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. The House passage of HB 68 serves as a significant milestone in the legislative process, fulfilling our constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget. It lays the foundation for the priorities that will guide Georgia’s growth and development for the next year, with significant investments in education, healthcare, and public safety, while still working with our communities that were damaged by Hurricane Helene.

With a revenue estimate of $37.7 billion—marking an increase of $1.6 billion or 4% over the original FY 2025 budget—the House’s version of HB 68 places a strong emphasis on addressing the critical needs of Georgia’s education. As such, a large portion of HB 68 will support a statewide literacy initiative aimed at improving reading outcomes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, recognizing reading proficiency by the f third grade is central to future academic success. The House’s version of the budget appropriates $22.7 million to support the recommendations of the Georgia Council on Literacy; this includes $10 million for new funding. The bill appropriates funds for 116 Regional Education Service Agencies (RESA)-based literacy coaches to ensure that structured literacy and the science of reading would be implemented effectively. Also, HB 68 allots $2 million for a free universal reading screener that would be available to all school systems as a result of the efforts outlined in House Bill 538, the Georgia Early Literacy Act, which Governor Brian Kemp signed into law in 2023.

In addition to investing in literacy initiatives, HB 68 also demonstrates the House’s commitment to school safety, proposing a $25 million investment that covers the first-year costs of a new data base tool that would collect and investigate school-based threats across state and local law enforcement agencies. This proposal supports Behavioral Threat Assessment Management (BTAM) teams, which address identified threats and enhances school safety. This funding is included in the House’s budget as a result of House Bill 268, a comprehensive school safety plan that prioritizes and strengthens safety measures, that is now awaiting Senate consideration. The House’s version of the budget also includes $19.6 million for mental health support grants for school systems through the Student Support Services program. Similar to school security grants, school systems would earn $20,000 per middle and high school for mental health services, including contracting with providers, tele-mental health contracts or hiring in-school counselors. HB 68 also includes investments in student well-being and proposes funds to support economically disadvantaged students, joining 45 other states in providing additional funds through a poverty weight to districts with a high proportion of these students. Additionally, HB 68 would once again fully fund the Quality Basic Education (QBE) program with a record $14.7 billion in state funds for K-12 education.

The House’s FY 2026 budget further supports students and educators across Georgia by recommending funds to continue to provide breakfast and lunch for reduced-paying students, which would certify that every child has access to nutritious meals while they are at school. Moreover, HB 68 includes $7.5 million for the School Supplies for Educators program, as outlined in Senate Bill 464, which passed during the 2024 legislative session. These funds would provide educators with $100 each to purchase essential school supplies, recognizing that many school teachers often pay out-of-pocket for classroom supplies.

In the Technology and Career Education program, the House’s version of the FY 2026 budget appropriates $1.25 million for high-demand equipment grants that would support new and expanding career and technical education labs, including grants for heavy equipment simulators. HB 68 also sets aside $14 million in lottery funds for the Georgia Pre-K Program to continue implementing the recommendations from the House Early Childhood Education Working Group. This funding would support year two of a four-year phase-in to reduce class sizes from 22 to 20 students, aiming to improve instructional quality. HB 68 also includes the addition of 93 new Pre-K classrooms that would accommodate growing demand across the state.

While education funding is a substantial part of HB 68, the House’s version of the FY 2026 budget also prioritizes funding aimed at enhancing Georgia’s courts, correctional systems and public safety sectors. The House’s FY 2026 budget provides $1.6 million to the Council of Accountability Court Judges that would increase participation in accountability courts. This funding would enable an additional 843 Georgians to receive treatment and services for mental health and drug addiction, which offers an alternative to incarceration. Furthermore, since FY 2021, the Georgia General Assembly has made significant investments in Georgia’s correctional officers and juvenile correctional officers, recognizing their critical role in maintaining safety and security within the state’s correctional facilities. This funding has resulted in salary increases for these dedicated public servants, with an additional 4% raise that is included in FY 2026. The House’s version of the FY 2026 budget also includes a $250 million increase for the Department of Corrections, with $45 million allocated to hire more than 700 new correctional officers, which would improve inmate-to-staff ratios, underscoring the state’s continued support for the hard work and sacrifices of correctional officers who play an essential role in Georgia’s justice system.

Furthermore, the House recognizes the critical condition of the state’s aging correctional facilities, many of which are in need of repairs to guarantee the safety of both inmates and correctional officers. HB 68 provides funding to move 667 prisoners from state prisons to other housing units, which would pave the way for necessary renovations. Additionally, four new 126-bed prefabricated housing units would become available through HB 68, allowing for the relocation of 1,171 inmates as part of widespread facility renovations. The House’s budget also allocates $15 million to address capital maintenance and repairs and $19.2 million for skilled maintenance staff to help address and repair critical infrastructure needs. Further, the budget also adds $56.8 million to the Department of Corrections to continue offering needed healthcare to inmates. Finally, HB 68 includes $2.8 million that would make 100 transition center beds available at the Smith Transitional Center in Evans County. These beds would provide inmates returning to the Southeast Georgia area with access to necessary resources, including employment assistance, social services, housing support and family reunification programming.

The House’s version of the FY 2026 budget allocates $6 million for homelessness initiatives, with an additional $4 million designated to leverage federal funding for the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless. This fund, developed through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, supports those providing housing and services to individuals and families working to overcome homelessness. The bill also includes $2 million to assist in expanding the Accountable Housing Initiative, which is also under the Department of Community Affairs and awards funding on a competitive basis to eligible applicants who demonstrate an ability to provide immediate, stable housing and support services to those in need. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities receives $2.7 million in funding that supports programs that address homelessness, including 100 new housing voucher slots, outreach services for those with severe mental illness.

HB 68 also makes significant investments in maternal health as the House continues its work to improve healthcare outcomes for women across Georgia. More than $9 million in new funding is included to address maternal health needs, and $5 million is dedicated to expanding and sustaining labor and delivery services in rural areas of the state. Providing access to maternal healthcare in rural Georgia is paramount, as many rural communities across Georgia face major healthcare shortages and barriers to maternal care. This funding will help build the infrastructure needed to provide high-quality care to mothers in underserved communities.

Additionally, HB 68 includes $1.2 million for the Department of Public Health’s Office of Cardiac Care that would be used to provide grants to hospitals to enhance cardiac care, as cardiac complications remain a leading cause of maternal mortality. To further improve maternal healthcare outcomes, $700,000 is set aside to support quality improvements at birthing facilities that would help increase the number of facilities that meet maternal and neonatal care standards. Lastly, the House’s version of the FY 2026 budget directs the Department of Public Health to study the needs of regional emergency transportation.

The House’s FY 2026 budget is robust, and we would like to highlight some additional noteworthy investments in HB 68. The House’s version of the FY 2026 budget proposes an additional $23.25 million for the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia, which would bring the total appropriation for the system to $50 million. This funding would provide an enhanced annual benefit adjustment for eligible retired state employees, ensuring that they receive the financial support they deserve after years of dedicated service to our state. Furthermore, the House has also aligned with the governor’s recommendation to the Department of Administrative Services to provide more than $1.5 million in supplemental payments to first responders suffering from occupational post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This funding stems from House Bill 451, a House led initiative passed during the 2024 legislative session, which requires that public entities provide specialized insurance for first responders diagnosed with PTSD. Under the provisions of HB 451, these brave individuals will receive a lifetime benefit, including a cash payment and income replacement disability benefits, available 90 days after diagnosis, if necessary. Finally, HB 68 appropriates $19.2 million to support growth in our state’s foster care system and account for rising costs of care. Our budget also allocates $1.5 million for clothing and supplies for foster youth; the funding would also help keep foster children closer to their families, deter child welfare involvement and support those aging out of the foster care system.

HB 68 is now awaiting consideration and action by the Senate, where it will undergo a similar committee review process. We expect that the Senate may make changes to the House’s version, which would lead to the appointment of a conference committee to reconcile any differences between the two versions. Once a final version is agreed upon and agreed to in both chambers, HB 68 will be sent to the governor’s desk for approval and signature into law.

In addition to passing the FY 2026 budget this week, the House also voted on Senate Bill 81, which enhances data privacy for automobile dealerships and update other requirements related to the relationships between auto manufacturers, affiliates, franchisors and dealers. The Georgia Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act has been amended multiple times over the past 35 years, but SB 81 seeks to make significant updates to this law by upholding consumer protections and ensuring fairer business practices when purchasing vehicles. The bill emphasizes that independent dealerships are essential for consumer protection and integration of new automotive technologies, while also preventing monopolistic practices that could harm local dealerships. Next, the bill sets stricter guidelines for consumer data protection for franchisors, manufacturers and third parties when handling data in the sale, leasing or repair of a vehicle. The bill prohibits manufacturers from unauthorized access and sale of dealership data. It also would limit third-party interference in data storage and allow dealers to back up data in order to streamline the sales processes and safeguard it against security breaches. Furthermore, manufacturers will be required to compensate franchise dealers who assist customers with over-the-air (OTA) vehicle recalls and disclose new vehicle functions that may be updated via OTA. The bill would also improve the allocation process by defining what would be considered a reasonable quantity of vehicles distributed to dealers, ensuring that smaller dealerships would have access to a fair quantity of vehicles and parts. Lastly, SB 81 would set guidelines for manufacturers that opt out of participating in franchise systems and choose to sell directly to the public, such as Tesla and Rivian. These manufacturers would still be allowed to make direct sales to the public but could not operate their own dealerships or enter into sales contracts from their showroom under the franchise law. This legislation seeks to remedy any gaps in the law, ensuring more equal opportunities for consumers and businesses alike.

We also passed the following Senate bills during the ninth week of session:

Senate Bill 138, which would revise certain requirements of service between a qualified municipality and its county during the transition period, which is the period of the transition of governmental services from a county to that municipality. A qualified municipality would be a new municipality created by local Act that becomes law on or after January 1, 2024. The county would be required to have 15 or more municipalities for the provisions to apply. The bill would require the county to provide law enforcement services within the boundaries of the municipality until the municipality notifies the county of their intention to assume those services. The county would also be responsible for any infrastructure designed to temporarily retain 1,000 gallons or more of storm water, dams or detention ponds within the municipality, unless otherwise agreed upon. Any Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) that is in place upon the creation of the municipality would not be required to be renegotiated. The bill would allow the municipality to opt into any service provided to another city under the present SDS. If any service is assumed by the municipality in the middle of the county’s tax year, the county would give the municipality a proportional share of any tax or fee collected within the municipality. Certain insurance taxes could be collected by the municipality if all necessary legal steps have been taken to do so within 18 months of a referendum incorporating the municipality. If a court finds that a county violates any mentioned responsibility, the sovereign immunity of the county would be suspended for one year from the date of the judicial ruling;
Senate Bill 139, which would annex certain described property into the City of Mulberry;
Senate Bill 144, would allow pesticides registered with the Department of Agriculture commissioner that display a label approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or is consistent with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act human health risk assessment to be considered a sufficient warning of health risk. Provisions regarding this new subsection would not be applicable when the EPA has discovered that a manufacturer has knowingly withheld, misrepresented, concealed, or destroyed certain health risks in order to obtain EPA approval.

Together, with my House colleagues we return to the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 18^th to continue our important work advocating for your needs and interests. With less than 10 legislative days remaining, we are in the final stretch of this legislative session with our final day, or Sine Die, scheduled for April 4^th. The next few weeks will be critical as we work to make decisions that will impact the future of our state. We encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns or input you may have about the bills currently under consideration. Please feel free to schedule a phone call or visit the State Capitol so we can discuss the issues that matter most to you and your family. Please don’t hesitate to schedule a phone call or a visit to the State Capitol to discuss matters that are important to you and your family. We can be reached as follows: I can be can be reached at my office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246.

Please contact the District office in Thomasville for any constituent matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you, recognize the honor you have given me and, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative.

March112025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 8

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

The General Assembly returned to the Gold Dome on Monday, March 3^rd for the busiest week of the 2025 legislative session. Crossover Day, a critical deadline for legislation to move from one chamber to the other occurred on Thursday, March 6^th. The House worked late into the evening, passing a record 75 bills and resolutions on Crossover Day. They now await consideration in the Senate. With many bills to consider, it was a week of activity and movement and crucial decision-making as we worked to ensure that we had every opportunity to advance good sound legislation to address the pressing needs of the People of Georgia.

We began the week by passing the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2025 budget, fulfilling our constitutional duty with the final passage of House Bill 67. It prioritizes recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The storm’s widespread destruction prompted an urgent need for recovery, and this budget allocates critical funding to help rebuild affected communities. Set by a revenue estimate of $40.5 billion, including $2.7 billion in surplus funds, the budget provides a $4.4 billion increase, or 12.2%, over the original Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget. Notable allocations include $113 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to continue the state’s emergency response efforts, $50 million for debris removal and $285 million in disaster relief for farmers and timber producers. While Hurricane Helene relief is a top priority in the AFY 2025 budget, we also addressed the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) needs, it is also a key portion of this budget. HB 67 provides an infusion of $345.9 million for funding the department’s essential safety, security and technology upgrades. These upgrades are necessary to ensure the safety of both inmates and correctional staff, including $17.5 million for security technology to detect and prevent the introduction of contraband. The budget also prioritizes staffing and security, providing funds for new correctional officer positions. Additionally, $10.5 million will be allocated for new body cameras and tasers, enhancing safety for both officers and offenders. These tools will be linked to an Over Watch Logistics Unit (OWL), funded at $7.2 million, it will continuously monitor security cameras across the state, enabling a rapid response to disturbances. With a focus on immediate recovery and long-term restoration, this amended budget ensures that Georgia’s response to both Hurricane Helene and essential public safety needs is comprehensive. This funding is not only necessary but essential for rebuilding lives, homes and communities across Georgia. Governor Kemp signed the amended budget on Thursday after its final passage in the House and Senate.

A key focus in the House this week was prioritizing the state’s education system, safeguarding Georgia’s children and enhancing school safety. As a result, the House passed House Bill 268, a comprehensive measure to improve the safety, health and well-being of students and school communities across Georgia. HB 268 implements a range of initiatives to foster an environment where children can thrive without fear. The bill places an emphasis on improving the sharing of student records between schools and from state agencies. HB 268 would require schools to utilize an anonymous reporting app to give students a safe and confidential way to report concerns. Schools will be able to respond more quickly to the needs of at-risk students; it creates a mental health coordinator position in each school district, to connect students with available resources. Furthermore, HB 268 requires local schools to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), suicide and youth violence prevention training, making sure students are not only protected but also equipped with the tools and resources to manage their behavior and emotions in a healthy manner. HB 268 would also create an Office of Safe Schools to provide resources and training to help schools foster safer environments, develop policies to prevent violence and, by July 1, 2026, coordinate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to develop a state-wide behavioral threat management process for local school systems and law enforcement agencies. These behavioral management teams (BTAM) would be trained on identifying behaviors that are known indicators of a youth at risk and possibly in need of supportive interventions or services. If a student poses a threat of harm, the BTAM team would immediately notify the superintendent, local law enforcement and the Office of School Safety. HB 268 will empower Georgia schools to be better prepared for emergencies, giving families peace of mind knowing that their children are safe at school and that effective plans are in place to protect and provide support services to Georgia’s students.

As the House prioritized public safety in schools this week, we also took up a bipartisan measure aimed at incentivizing safe, responsible firearm storage through the passage of House Bill 79, the Firearm Safe Handling and Secure Storage Tax Credit Act. This bill would introduce new provisions under Georgia law, offering taxpayers a credit of up to $300 for eligible expenses related to firearm safety training and secure storage devices. Proper firearm storage is crucial in preventing accidents, unauthorized access and theft. The tax credit program, with an annual aggregate cap of $3 million, would encourage responsible firearm ownership by providing financial incentives for individuals to participate in safety courses and invest in secure storage solutions. HB 79 would outline a clear path toward creating safer homes and communities across Georgia, reduce preventable tragedies and provide a cost-saving incentive for Georgians.

We also passed legislation to improve maternal health outcomes with House Bill 89, will enhance oversight and coordination of maternal care services. The bill would grant the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) access to records of deceased mothers to better understand mental health’s role in maternal mortality. Mental health conditions are a leading cause of death in mothers, and by allowing the MMRC access to these records, the committee can make informed recommendations and policy decisions to improve future health outcomes for pregnant women. HB 89 would also establish the Regional Perinatal Center Advisory Committee to consider and make recommendations to the commissioner of the Department of Public Health (DPH) concerning the addition, reduction or transition of regional perinatal centers in the state. The advisory committee would be composed of between 11 and 21 members and appointed by the DPH for four-year terms. Beginning July 1, 2026, and every four years thereafter, DPH, in collaboration with the advisory committee, would review and make recommendations on the adequacy of the regional perinatal system and consider hospital and labor and delivery closures. Lastly, the bill would move deceased mothers’ autopsies under the scope of the Georgia Investigative Bureau or regular medical examiner offices, rather than perinatal facilities due to liability concerns. Currently, there are six perinatal centers across the state, and DPH has determined that they each require a review of their provided services. This committee would help ensure that we are doing everything we can to reduce maternal mortality cases in Georgia. It is critical, especially for mothers in underserved communities, to receive the care and support they need to successfully care for themselves and their babies.

The House fulfilled one of Governor Kemp’s legislative priorities this session with the passage of House Bill 112, which would provide a one-time income tax refund for taxpayers who filed returns for both the 2023 and 2024 tax years. This refund amount would be the lesser of their 2023 state income tax liability or a fixed amount determined by their filing status: $250 for single filers or married individuals filing separately, $375 for heads of household and $500 for married couples filing jointly. Taxable nonresidents and part-year residents would receive a prorated refund based on the portion of their income taxable in Georgia, as reported on their 2023 form. With an estimated total distribution of $7.6 million, the measure underscores the House’s commitment to returning taxpayers’ hard-earned money back into their pockets.

The House also unanimously passed House Bill 262, a measure to strengthen Georgia’s healthcare infrastructure, by creating a grant program to acquire and install backup generators for affected rural hospitals – acute care hospitals located in rural counties with fewer than 100 beds and located in any region where the governor declared a state of emergency after July 1, 2024. Under this legislation, the Department of Community Health, in collaboration with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, would set grant criteria and make award decisions. These grant amounts would be determined on a case-by-case basis to best meet each hospital’s specific needs, with priority given to affected rural hospitals lacking backup generators and the means to install them. In response to vulnerabilities exposed by Hurricane Helene and other recent storms in our state, this legislation would ensure that rural healthcare facilities can continue to operate and provide uninterrupted essential medical services during power outages.

House Bill 465 also passed unanimously in the House this week and aims to protect missing individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). HB 465, the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act will add ASD to the list of conditions eligible for triggering the Mattie’s Call state-wide alert system. Established by the Georgia General Assembly in 2006, Mattie’s Call is an emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly persons, and this investigative tool can only be activated by a local law enforcement agency. By including autism spectrum disorder in the alert system, local law enforcement would be provided with vital guidance to prioritize searches in waterways and public roadways, areas where missing individuals with ASD may be more vulnerable. The unanimous passage of HB 465 reflects a strong commitment to enhancing safety and support for individuals with autism and their families.

This week, we and our colleagues actually passed two bills addressing school zone speed enforcement. The first bill was House Bill 225 it will completely remove automated school-zone speed cameras altogether, with the goal of outright banning unjust citations. The second bill House Bill 651 reforms school-zone speed enforcement by implementing greater transparency and a fairer citation process. This bill limits automated speed camera operation to a four-hour window around school starting and dismissal times and enforce a 10-mph buffer above the school-zone speed limit before a citation is issued. Proper signage, including flashing yellow lights and radar speed detectors, would also be in place to ensure drivers receive clear warnings. A key change in this bill is the redistribution of civil citation revenue, with 50% of funds going directly toward school safety measures. The remaining revenue would still support local governments, but there would be greater accountability so that citation funds are not funneled to improper uses by private companies and local governments. Under this bill, the first offense would be $75 and the second offense $125, and the bill removes the previously stated $25 administrative fee. Furthermore, the bill would remove provisions that allowed unpaid citations to affect vehicle tag renewals and reinforce a driver’s right to contest citations in court. Lastly, the bill would require the Department of Public Safety to review speed enforcement measures on state highways, with the goal of preventing unwarranted fines. The House sent both bills to the Senate for its consideration in hopes that at least one of the two bills will receive final passage to address the House’s desire to reform this practice.

Along with other members of the House your South Georgia Delegation was busy moving their legislation. Representative Joe Campbell successfully passed HB 618 a bill for consumer protection. It requires sellers of real property to make certain disclosure regarding flood damage to such real property.

Representative Darlene Taylor saw two bills passed on Crossover Day, HB 250 the Small Business Benefit Act; it, requires the Department of Labor to establish regulations and registration policies for professional employer organizations (PEO). The bill would outline a fee cap and structure for each application type. Any person administering professional employer services who violate this Code could be subject to a penalty of no more than $2,000 for each violation. Temporary help contracting firms and individuals who are not a PEO but share employees with a commonly owned corporation, trade or business related to Section 414(b) and (c) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 would be exempt from this Code section;

This week Representative Chas Cannon also had two bills favorably passed out of the House, they are HB 129 it amends state law related to bona fide conservation use property to allow property leased by a corporation, partnership, general partnership, limited partnership or corporation or a limited liability company to qualify as bona fide conservation use property if it meets the following conditions: entity would be owned by at least one natural or naturalized citizens. and the primary purpose of the property is related to production of agricultural or timber products; also, HB 244, which makes adjustments to local government audit requirements, depending on total expenditures by such local government entity. The bill would require specified county officers to cooperate with the county government in the preparation of required financial statements and audits, which would be subject to specified waivers;

The House will reconvene at the State Capitol on Monday, March 10^th for Legislative Day 29. With Crossover Day behind us, the House will now begin to considering legislation that passed in the Senate and vice versa. With Sine Die approaching on April 4^th, we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns about the bills currently under consideration. Please feel free to schedule a phone call or visit the State Capitol so we can discuss the issues that matter most to you and your family. You can reach Rep. Darlene Taylor may be reached at her office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246 and Rep. Chas Canon, his office is 501-C Coverdell Legislative Office or via email at chas.cannon@house.ga.gov or by phone at: (404) 656-0177. The General Assembly returned to the Gold Dome on Monday, March 3^rd for the the busiest week of the 2025 legislative session. Crossover Day, a critical deadline for legislation to move from one chamber to the other occurred on Thursday, March 6^th. The House worked late into the evening, passing a record 75 bills and resolutions on Crossover Day. They now await consideration in the Senate. With many bills to consider, it was a week of activity and movement and crucial decision-making as we worked to ensure that we had every opportunity to advance good sound legislation to address the pressing needs of the People of Georgia.

We passed the following House bills by week 8 which will now enter the Senate for consideration. As they pass, they will be sent to the Governor. Once the Governor signs the legislation that is not vetoed, it will be enacted. Conversely, the Senate also has a list of bills that made it through Crossover Day that will go to the House for a vote and then on to the Governor.

House Bill 37, which would amend state law to require local school systems to notify new hires whether Social Security taxes would be withheld from employee’s paychecks beginning July 1, 2025. Every five years and upon separation of employment, the school system would be required to remind employees whether Social Security taxes would be withheld from the employee’s pay during employment;
House Bill 52, which would amend state law relating to homestead exemptions for qualified disabled veterans, which would allow the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor children of a disabled veteran to continue receiving the homestead exemption granted to the disabled veteran, regardless of whether the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor children relocate to any other county in the state. The bill is required to receive a 2/3 majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and subsequently be approved by Georgia voters during the general election held in November 2026;
House Bill 54, which would authorize a licensed physician assistant to order home health care under the supervision of a licensed physician;
House Bill 56, which would expand eligibility for the Public Safety Memorial Grant to include spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, prison guards, emergency medical technicians or highway response operators who have died or been permanently disabled in the line of duty. The bill would increase the maximum award amount from $2,000 per academic year to $18,000 per academic year and would increase the lifetime award amount from $8,000 to $72,000. The bill would provide for the distribution of grants to the child or spouse of a public school teacher or public school employee who has been killed or permanently disabled by an act of violence in the line of duty. Eligible students attending an approved school would receive no more than $18,000 per academic year, with a maximum total award amount of $72,000;
House Bill 77, which would revise right-of-way procedures for funeral processions by requiring the operator of every vehicle not participating in a funeral procession and who are on any two-lane highway to yield the right-of-way to the procession. The bill would also require both lead and rear vehicles in the procession to display flashing hazard lights;
House Bill 87, which states all benefits policies renewed on or after January 1, 2026, would include coverage for orthotic devices and prosthetic devices that are medically necessary for the following: activities of daily living, essential job-related activities, personal hygiene-related activities and physical activities. Coverage would be provided for no more than three orthotic devices or prosthetic devices per affected limb per covered person during any three-year period. Coverage considered as habilitative or rehabilitative benefits would be comparable to coverage for other medical and surgical benefits, could be subject to the same cost-sharing requirements that apply to other medical devices and could be limited for out-of-network providers. The bill would require the commissioner to submit a report to the House Insurance Committee and the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee regarding the implementation of coverage by July 1, 2032;
House Bill 91, which would allow graduates of a foreign veterinary medicine school who would be able to submit a transcript, who have completed a residency program of two or more years and have received board certification from a veterinary medicine organization recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Board of Veterinary Specialties or other American Veterinary Medical Association board-approved organizations, to be able to apply for a veterinary license in Georgia. A graduate could additionally submit an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certificate or its equivalent, a Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) certificate or its equivalent or any other document authorized by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine. The bill would not prohibit someone licensed in this way from lecturing or giving instructions in their certified veterinary medicine specialty;
House Bill 111, which would amend state law relating to individual income tax rates to lower the individual income tax rate effective on January 1, 2025, from 5.39 percent to 5.19 percent;
House Bill 127, which would increase the number of personal days school personnel may utilize accumulated sick leave for from three days to five days;
House Bill 129, which would amend state law related to bona fide conservation use property to allow property leased by a corporation, partnership, general partnership, limited partnership or corporation or a limited liability company to qualify as bona fide conservation use property if it meets the following conditions: entity would be owned by at least one natural or naturalized citizen and the primary purpose of the property is related to production of agricultural or timber products;
House Bill 141, which would amend state law relating to businesses or practitioners with locations in more than one jurisdiction, which would allow for affidavits of certified public accountants that would be provided in lieu of tax returns;
House Bill 144, which would amend state law relating to tax credits for medical preceptor rotations and would add licensed dentists to the eligible professions to receive a tax credit as a community-based faculty preceptor. The credit would be changed to be $1,000 for each preceptorship rotation completed by a physician or licensed dentist in a calendar year and $750 for each preceptorship rotation completed in a calendar year by an advanced practice registered nurse. The credit would not exceed an aggregate cap of $6 million per year, and the sunset date would be changed from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2030;
House Bill 150, which would create the Combating Threats from Foreign Countries of Concern Act of 2025 – Higher Education. The bill would require the university system to submit a quarterly report to the governor and the chairs of the House and Senate Higher Education Committees detailing the funding received by the system from a foreign country of concern, a foreign entity of concern or a foreign individual of concern;
House Bill 154, which would designate ambulance services as an essential service;
House Bill 159, which would revise the outstanding bond limit for the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority from $3 billion to $6 billion;
House Bill 161, which would revise the statute that allows the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to subpoena computers or electronic devices to include investigations of Title 16, Chapter 9, Article 8 (Identity Fraud) and O.C.G.A. 16-9-93 (Computer Crimes), 16-10-28 (Transmitting a False Public Alarm), 16-11-37 (Terroristic Threats and Acts), 16-11-39.1 (Harassing Communications) and 16-11-221 (Domestic Terrorism – Penalties). The bill would allow a court to find someone in contempt if they fail to obey these subpoenas and would restrict the subpoena from becoming public during the investigation or prosecution beyond the extent necessary for the issuance and compliance of the subpoena. This would also remove the specific references to Code sections when the GBI can provide information in furtherance of a federal, local or state criminal investigation so that it would apply to all criminal investigations;
House Bill 165, which would amend state law relating to the computation of taxable net income which would allow for an amount equal to the net disaster loss as defined by Section 304(b) of Title III of Division EE of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L.116-260, as amended by Section 2 of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, P.L. 118-148, which would be deducted in addition to the standard deductions provided for in this Code section;
House Bill 175, which would amend state law to require comprehensive background checks for employees of early care and education programs and Head Start programs. The bill would provide for revocation and nonissue of licenses and commissions for early care and education programs for noncompliance;
House Bill 179, which would allow the transcript of evidence and proceedings in certain felony, all misdemeanor proceedings and all civil cases to be either reported and prepared by a court reporter or, in the judge’s discretion, to be recorded with a digital recording system according to uniform court rules adopted by the Supreme Court with the advice and consent of affected trial courts. A district attorney may also use a digital recording system to record grand jury proceedings. The court reporter would complete the transcript and provide a certificate attesting to the correctness of the transcript. The recording would not be considered the record of the proceeding unless transcribed and certified;
House Bill 180, which would require candidates for the office of probate court judge in counties with a population of 90,000 or more to file a supplemental affidavit stating they would satisfy the additional qualifications specific to counties of 90,000 or more (must be 30 years of age, a member of good standing of the State Bar of Georgia and have practiced law for seven years) as currently set forth in state law;
House Bill 185, which would replace the Dietetics Practice Act with the Dietetics and Nutrition Act. The Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians would be renamed the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists and Licensed Nutritionists. The board would consist of nine members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate;
House Bill 186, which would amend state law relating to alternative ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fees and would eliminate the application of a state title ad valorem tax fee on a motor vehicle inherited upon the death of an immediate family member;
House Bill 197, which would implement a callback telecommunications system for peer-to-peer communications in the event a clinical peer would not be available upon first contact effort;
House Bill 200, which would amend state law and provide for the State Board of Education to establish a three-year pilot immersive writing program for eligible public elementary schools for students in grades two through five. The bill would provide for applicants to participate in the pilot program and would provide for assessment and reporting on the impacts of the pilot program. The bill would also authorize the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the pilot program;
House Bill 217, which would extend the Dual Achievement pilot program sunset date to July 1, 2031. The bill would provide for the distribution of Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula earnings from the State Board of Education to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) board based on the number of eligible students participating in the program;
House Bill 219, which would authorize both the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists and the Georgia Board of Nursing to establish a professional health program that would monitor and provide rehabilitation services to impaired healthcare professionals. A healthcare professional who participates in this program would be required to pay the costs associated with the program. Any company or entity that contracts with one of the boards to administer the program would be immune from any civil or criminal liability incurred through its operation of the program. Both sections of the bill would be contingent upon appropriation by the General Assembly, although both boards would be permitted to accept and solicit private funding or public grants;
House Bill 224, which would authorize the Georgia Department of Transportation to construct or maintain a private road on a military base or military installation when done through agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and when paid for by the Department of Defense;
House Bill 229, which would amend state law relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes by exempting the purchase of qualifying construction materials used in capital outlay projects for educational purposes from local sales and use taxes. Eligible capital outlay projects would be those funded using a sales tax for education purposes as authorized by the constitution of Georgia. Local school systems must have a base year value or adjusted base year value homestead exemption in effect to receive this exemption. All sales and use tax would be paid and collected as is required by Code. A school system would be able to claim the exemption by requesting a refund from the Department of Revenue. Any refund received by a school system would be held in a fund or account for capital outlay projects and would be used for education purposes as authorized by the Georgia constitution;
House Bill 235, which would amend state law, known as the Georgia Supporting Living Donor Educators Act, to require employers of school employees, teachers and postsecondary employees to provide leaves of absence for the donation of bone marrow and organs;
House Bill 238, which would require the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to create and maintain an at-risk adult training course focusing on officer response to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia;
House Bill 244, which would make adjustments to local government audit requirements, depending on total expenditures by such local government entity. The bill would require specified county officers to cooperate with the county government in the preparation of required financial statements and audits, which would be subject to specified waivers;
House Bill 248, which would create an income tax credit of $5,000 per year for up to five years per dwelling for eligible expenses related to installation of geothermal machinery in a residential dwelling. The tax credit would not exceed $25,000 per dwelling and would be repealed on December 31, 2031. The aggregate cap for the program would be $2.5 million per year. The bill would be effective on July 1, 2025, and applicable beginning on January 1, 2026;
House Bill 250, which would require the Department of Labor to establish regulations and registration policies for professional employer organizations (PEO). The bill would outline a fee cap and structure for each application type. The initial fee for a PEO and a PEO group would not exceed $500, and the renewal fee would not exceed $250. For limited and temporary registration, the fee for a PEO could not exceed $250 and not exceed $250 per member for a PEO group. Any person administering professional employer services who violate this Code could be subject to a penalty of no more than $2,000 for each violation. Temporary help contracting firms and individuals who are not a PEO but share employees with a commonly owned corporation, trade or business related to Section 414(b) and (c) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 would be exempt from this Code section;
House Bill 255, which would create two special license plates: one would honor Southern University Alumni, with funds raised disbursed to the Atlanta Metropolitan Chapter of Southern University Alumni Federation of Georgia, Inc. and one would honor Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with funds raised disbursed to the Delta Life Development Center;
House Bill 266, which would amend Georgia law relating to the computation of taxable net income to exclude $35,000 of income related to military retirement benefits for retired military members under 65, beginning in tax year 2027. The amount would increase $5,000 per year until reaching $65,000;
House Bill 270, which would allow a judge or clerk in the relevant court to grant and issue a summons to a sheriff, lawful constable or approved process server;
House Bill 288, which would require that a prosecuting attorney, when placing an officer on a Giglio list, to notify both the officer and the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council for review. The bill would allow for request for reconsideration of that action. The Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council would develop the policies and procedures for notification;
House Bill 290, which would provide the annual Internal Revenue Code update to Georgia Code and would revise definitions found in state law. The updates would be applicable to tax years on or after January 1, 2024, for relevant federal laws passed on or before January 1, 2025;
House Bill 291, which would create the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee, which would be comprised of 11 voting members with specializations as outlined in the bill and two nonvoting members who are representatives of the Department of Public Health. The committee would approve certified community health worker training programs, and all community health workers would be required to be certified by the committee;
House Bill 296, which would clarify language in state law relating to poll workers to denote that a Georgia driver’s license must be in physical format and issued by the Department of Driver Services. The bill would clarify language in state law relating to hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to denote physical driver’s licenses being required to identify an individual. The bill would further allow licensees who are required to present their license to a law enforcement officer who possesses proper equipment to show them their electronic format-issued license. The bill would note that by July 1, 2027, all law enforcement officers would acquire equipment that can verify electronic licenses;
House Bill 297, which would amend state law relating to the definitions of motor vehicles and traffic to change the definition of multipurpose off-highway vehicle to mean any self-propelled, motorized vehicle originally intended for off-highway use and to not include any all-terrain vehicles, low-speed vehicles, passenger cars or personal transportation vehicles. Additionally, the bill would create new state law to exempt multipurpose off-highway vehicles from ad valorem taxation, beginning on January 1, 2025;
House Bill 304, which would create the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks’ Council as an institution that would be designed to improve municipal courts, assist municipal court staff and would assist in training new municipal court staff. The council would be a state agency comprised of the municipal court staff of all state municipal courts. The council would be authorized to elect officers and an executive committee;
House Bill 309, which would require that a county police force created by referendum also be abolished by referendum;
House Bill 314, which would revise the definition of an athletic injury, regarding athletic trainers, which would be a condition sustained as a result of a person’s participation in activities requiring physical strength, agility, flexibility, range of motion, speed or stamina, regardless of where or how the injury occurred. The bill would also clarify that an athletic training student could conduct certain duties while under the direct supervision of a physician or licensed athletic trainer so long as the athletic trainer or physician would be physically present in the facility where the athletic training student would be operating. Further, the bill would revise the certifying organization that allows the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers to grant a license to the Board of Certification for the athletic trainer;
House Bill 322, which would create an additional provision for dental school teaching applicants to accomplish before submitting a teaching application to the Georgia Board of Dentistry;
House Bill 323, which would allow for Medicare policies to be issued and renewed for individuals under 65 years of age who are eligible due to disability or end stage renal disease;
House Bill 325, which would allow a member of the state organized militia who alleges stalking by another member of the organized militia to seek a protective order, and subject matter jurisdiction would be established by evidence that a nexus would exist between the alleged conduct constituting stalking and the organized militia. The military judge may grant a protective order on a temporary or permanent basis or approve a consent agreement and may punish a party’s disobedience with contempt;
House Bill 327, which would make comprehensive revisions to the law of wills, probate, administration of estates, guardianships, trusts and powers of attorney as it would pertain to fiduciary law. The bill would add a duty by the executor of an estate to notify beneficiaries of an estate with a will that the will is being probated, as well as the name and mailing address of the executor within six months after qualifying as the executor. The bill would also revise statute related to trusts by allowing trusts to be in electronic form and signed by electronic signature, as well as changing the statute of limitations for breach of trust actions to two years from the date on which a document disclosing the existence of a claim is sent to a trust beneficiary. The bill would make further revisions to trust law, including who can serve as a trust director, the governance of particular trusts and the fiduciary duties of trustees. The bill would revise provisions with respect to the determination of heirs, inheritance involving nonmarital children and assisted reproduction;
House Bill 328, which would amend Georgia law relating to tax credits for student scholarship organizations to increase the aggregate amount of tax credits allowed from $120 million to $140 million. A carry-forward provision allowing for any unused credit to be carried forward for three years would be eliminated. Any amount that has been preapproved but not contributed could be applied for and disbursed by the Department of Revenue at 95 percent of the amount otherwise allowed by this Code section;
House Bill 331, which would make it unlawful for any individual to engage in the transfer of a dog, cat or domestic rabbit in public spaces including roadsides, public right of ways, parkways, medians, public or commercial parking lots or sidewalks, parks, recreation areas, fairs, transient and seasonal flea markets or other transient markets and outdoor locations. This would not apply to people or entities that may be able to produce a valid animal shelter license, transfers at a residence or veterinary office, transfers as part of an event sanctioned by certain agricultural exhibitions or prearranged transfers that take place at law enforcement facilities. Violators could be fined no more than $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for third or subsequent offenses;
House Bill 339, which would exempt ride share network services from liability for any injury to persons or damage to property committed by a ride share driver, provided that there has been no negligence or criminal misconduct by the ride share network service, the ride share network service is in compliance with the law regarding ride share drivers and the ride share network service obtains a background check for each ride share driver at least once every two years;
House Bill 340, which would amend state law to enact the Distraction-Free Education Act. The bill would require local school systems and public schools to enact policies and procedures for use of personal electronic devices at school and school-sponsored events by students in kindergarten through eighth grade by July 1, 2026. The bill would provide for permissible student use of personal electronic devices and school electronic devices and would authorize the Department of Education to provide guidance and technical assistance;
House Bill 348, which would define the term sponsor and would further clarify a sponsor’s role in supporting and funding limited purpose subsidiaries and captive insurance companies;
House Bill 351, which would pertain to solid waste management systems and the Board of Natural Resources. In the case that a solid waste management facility has been identified for future use, an applicant would submit written verification from its host local government that identifies the facility, describes its location by tax parcel identification number, states that the facility complies with local zoning if applicable and states that the facility is developed in accordance with state law. The bill would further require the host local government to notify the public at least 14 days and again at least seven days prior to a public meeting that details the new solid waste facility. Language relating to the Department of Community Affairs would be replaced with the Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division;
House Bill 358, which would define military installation for purposes of prohibiting land possession by certain foreign persons or entities as a facility owned and operated by a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces that would shelter military equipment and personnel and facilitates training and operations for those branches;
House Bill 360, which would amend state law relating to tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures and would allow a taxpayer preapproved by the commissioner of the Department of Revenue to claim credits in tax year 2027, 2028 or 2029 for certified structures other than historic homes to receive the credit during tax year 2026. A taxpayer would be required to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the structure by December 31, 2026, to qualify, and eligible properties would have to be located within a 10-mile radius of the Cabbagetown Historic District;
House Bill 369, which would require motor vehicles used for the sale of food or beverages that stop on roadways to be equipped with a signal arm with a yellow triangle that would contain the word “caution,” “slow” or “children” and a sign mounted on the vehicle’s rear warning of “frequent stops.” The Department of Public Safety would be authorized to adopt rules and regulations concerning this Code section and provisions would be effective beginning January 1, 2026;
House Bill 370, which would amend state law relating to ad valorem property tax bill forms and would require school districts that opt out of the statewide base year homestead exemption provided for in state law to include on the ad valorem property tax bill the amount of reserve funds held by the opted-out school district as of January 1 of that tax year and, provided the school district has not adopted a base year value homestead exemption through local legislation, language stating that the school district opted out of the statewide base year homestead exemption;
House Bill 371, which would amend state law relating to capital outlay funds generally under the Quality Basic Education Act. The bill would provide for an increase of the state’s maximum authorization of capital outlay funding from $300 million to $375 million annually;
House Bill 378, which would require state court clerks to publish and maintain information and dates regarding terms of court prominently on its public website;
House Bill 384, which would specify that for the Violation of Oath by Public Officer law, which carries an existing penalty of imprisonment of one to five years, peace officers could only be subject to prosecution under the Code section for violations of their oath. No officer would be subject to prosecution for violation of their oath of office under the Code section unless the violation is predicated on the commission of a felony. Section 2 would amend state law to create a specific oath that all officers would take after July 1, 2025. The oath would be before the chief executive officer of the agency or any authorized judicial official, and that oath would be filed in and entered into the records of that agency. Agencies could add additional language, although it would be aspirational only and of no legal effect in any criminal proceeding. This would also make any aspirational language that would be added have no legal effect in any civil or criminal proceeding;

House Bill 397, which would allow for the removal of a State Election Board member at any time the General Assembly is in session by a majority vote, or at any time the General Assembly is not in session by the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House. A State Election Board member appointed to fill a vacancy could be removed in the same manner as a member elected by the General Assembly;
House Bill 398, which would create a new article within Title 26 of state law relating to cottage food items, operators and production operations. A cottage food operator would only operate so long as they are in compliance with this article and cottage food production operations would sell directly to consumers or to retail food establishments. Violations of compliance within this article or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this article would be given a civil penalty of no more than $75 per violation. The Department of Agriculture would be authorized to inspect the area in a residence used by a cottage food operator in order to investigate a consumer complaint;
House Bill 399, which would require out-of-state landlords owning or operating 25 or more rental properties in the state to employ a licensed broker, that may or may not reside in this state, and at least one person located within the state for purposes of managing and responding to communications from the landlord’s tenants related to property issues;
House Bill 406, which would allow a member of the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) to retire at age 60, but the retirement allowance would be reduced by any time served as a superior court judge. Once the member reaches 65, their retirement allowance would be adjusted to reflect all their years of creditable service earned as a member of JRS. The bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a non-fiscal retirement bill;
House Bill 413, which would prohibit counties, municipalities, consolidated governments or other political subdivisions from restricting the use of mobile sawmills on agricultural land. Waste produced by sawing logs would be considered agricultural products, which may include sawdust, bark and slab materials;
House Bill 416, which would amend state law relating to enterprise zone criteria to restrict annual enterprise zone infrastructure fees assessed by local governing bodies to being assessed only on retailers that are qualifying businesses or service enterprises receiving a sale and use tax exemption for being located within a designated enterprise zone. The bill would amend state law relating to time limitations for enterprise zones to change the start of the 30-year duration of an enterprise zone authorized by state law from beginning at the completion of the redevelopment project and retiring of any revenue bonds related to the project to the first issuance of a bond with a principal amount of at least $100,000;
House Bill 425, which would create a state law that would provide for a tax credit to be utilized for the purchase and installation of an emergency power generator, a transfer switch or switches or lines or fuel tanks needed to provide power to a generator. The tax credit would only be claimed by eligible convenience stores or skilled nursing facilities. The credit would not exceed $5,000 per tax year for no more than five taxable years and would have an aggregate cap of $5 million. The credit would be provided for qualified expenditures made between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, and could not be for an amount that exceeds the taxpayer’s income tax liability. The credit would need to be claimed on the taxpayer’s 2026 tax return. A convenience store would be defined as a retail establishment that sells packaged or unprepared food or grocery items and has less than 10,000 square feet of retail floor space. A single corporate entity could not claim the credit for more than five of its establishment. A skilled nursing facility would be defined as an institution that provides inpatient skilled nursing care for individuals requiring medical or nursing care or rehabilitation services. The program would stand repealed on December 31, 2031;
House Bill 426, which would provide for the nonpartisan election of probate and magistrate judges;
House Bill 429, which would create a state law to exempt motor vehicles owned before March 1, 2013, from an annual ad valorem tax. The bill would become effective on January 1, 2027;
House Bill 430, which would clarify that a non-resident who is on their state’s sex offender registry, at the time of changing residences, would be required to register on Georgia’s sex offender registry when moving into this state. Petitions for release from sex offender registration requirements would be served on the sheriff and the chief superior court judge of the county of intended residence. The local court would be required to hold a hearing on these petitions if requested by the sheriff or chief superior judge of the county of intended residence. The court would also be required to send a copy of any order releasing a person from sex offender registration requirements to the sheriff of the county of intended residence;
House Bill 432, which would introduce a Georgia turkey stamp, which residents of the state could receive at no cost. Non-residents aged 16 and older who wish to hunt turkey in Georgia would be required to obtain this stamp for $100 in addition to their hunting license;
House Bill 433, which would authorize the Department of Human Services to have access to restricted and sealed information at the Georgia Crime Information Center to verify eligibility for prospective, existing foster parents or adults in the home of such foster parents, as well as to verify eligibility for prospective and existing employees and contractors;
House Bill 439, which would revise state law regarding deductions allowed to dealers by allowing a deduction of three percent on the first $10,000 of the combined total amount of all sales and use taxes reported, rather than the first $3,000;
House Bill 443, which would establish an annual fee for reef and migratory fish endorsements to regulate both recreational and commercial off-shore fishing. The bill would specify that an annual fee of $10 for Georgia residents and a $20 fee for non-residents who participate in off-shore fishing would be required;
House Bill 445, which would amend state law relating to the annual notice of current assessment, contents, posting notice and new assessment description by requiring that the option to appeal directly to a hearing officer for tangible personal property with a fair market value of greater than $200,000 be included on the notice of assessment. The bill would amend state law, relating to county boards of equalization, duties, review of assessments and appeals by allowing a taxpayer with tangible personal property having a fair market value greater than $200,000 to appeal directly to a hearing officer. A former or current appraiser IV or chief appraiser could serve as a hearing officer for taxable personal property other than wireless property following the submission of an application, a list of counties within which the hearing officer is willing to serve and a resume to the Georgia Real Estate Commission and the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. The hearing officer could not serve in the county of which they previously served as an appraiser IV or chief appraiser;
House Bill 447, which would create three new sets of criminal penalties for gift card theft, forgery and fraud. Gift card theft would be committed when either A) a person has intent to defraud and acquires or retains possession of a gift card or gift card redemption information without consent of the cardholder, card issuer or gift card seller; B) a person has intent to defraud and uses, for the purposes of obtaining money, goods, services or anything else of value, a gift card or gift card information that has been obtained in violation of subsections (b), (c) or (d) of the Code section. Gift card forgery would be committed when a person has intent to defraud and alters or tampers with a gift card or its packaging. Gift card fraud would be committed when a person has intent to defraud and devises a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card information from a cardholder, card issuer or gift card seller by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises. A person convicted of any violation of these new crimes would be imprisoned for between one and 10 years and a maximum fine of $5,000;
House Bill 449, which would create definitions for covered water system, service water, water services and water systems and would restrict covered water companies from having an increase of 15 percent or more in their rates or charges. If their rates or charges do increase by 15 percent or more from the lowest amount of such rate or charge over a period of three years, a hearing by the Public Service Commission would be in order. The commission would be further allowed to produce rules and regulations and would conduct regular assessments over covered water companies;
House Bill 451, which would amend the Quality Basic Education Act to allow local school boards to offer hunting safety instruction for students in grades six through 12. Each local board of education would also be authorized to establish curriculum for hunter safety instruction based on the hunter education courses offered by the Department of Natural Resources. The State Board of Education would adopt instructional standards no later than April 1, 2026;
House Bill 454, which would be known as The Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act and would establish a dedicated trust fund that would support the preservation of historic battlefields in Georgia. Administered by the Department of Natural Resources, the fund would receive money from state appropriations, grants and private donations to provide matching grants for purchasing or protecting battlefield lands. Organizations applying for grants must provide matching contributions and meet specific criteria related to historical significance, proximity to other protected lands and threats to preservation;
House Bill 455, which would allow applicants to conduct bingo games at multiple locations and clarifies that these games could be played on property leased by the non-profit, tax-exempt organization and which could be used for purposes other than the operation of a bingo game. Further, the bill would allow a licensee to operate 31 bingo sessions per month and would award a maximum of $6,000 in cash or gifts of equivalent value. The maximum amount that could be paid to individuals assisting in the operation of bingo games would be increased to $150 per session;
House Bill 460, which would specify that communications between an attorney and their client that are made when a client is in a penal institution would be subject to attorney-client privilege, in response to the Supreme Court of Georgia’s decision in Burns v. State (2024). Each penal institution would be required to provide access to a nonrecording telephonic or electronic device for a client held in custody to communicate with their attorney. The contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication intercepted or any evidence derived from that interception would not be received in evidence or otherwise disclosed at trial, hearing or other proceeding in state court unless each party (at least 10 days before) has been furnished with a copy of the court order under which the interception was authorized. Any aggrieved person in any trial, hearing or proceeding could move to suppress the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication intercepted or evidence derived therefrom on the grounds that: A) the communication was unlawfully intercepted; B) the order of authorization was insufficient on its face; or C) the interception was not made in conformity with the order of authorization or approval. The motion would be made before the trial, hearing or proceeding commences unless there was no opportunity to make the motion or the person was not aware of the grounds of the motion. If granted, the contents or any evidence derived therefrom would be in violation of the law. The judge would have discretion to make available to the individual’s counsel for inspection the portions of the intercepted communication or evidence derived therefrom, as the judge determines to be in the interests of justice;
House Bill 463, which would create a state law to allow for a local government to adopt an ordinance to allow senior citizens to claim an additional homestead exemption in exchange for volunteer work defined by the local entity. The ordinance must include the following information: the maximum dollar amount for the exemption that can be provided, not to exceed $500; the maximum number of senior citizens that can claim the exemption; the hourly rate at which the exemption can be earned, not to exceed $10 per hour; the date an application will be due for the exemption; and the types of volunteer work eligible for the exemption. A senior citizen would be defined as a person of at least 65 years of age on January 1 of the related tax year. The exemption would apply to taxable years beginning on January 1, 2027. The bill would require a favorable 2/3 vote of both the Senate and House of Representatives and a statewide referendum;
House Bill 466, which would designate the Marsh Tacky horse as the official heritage horse breed of Georgia;
House Bill 471, which would require hospitals and birthing centers to provide a water safety education video to parents or guardians on site after the delivery of an infant. The video would be developed by the Department of Community Health;
House Bill 473, which would add certain drugs to the Code sections defining Schedule I controlled substances and would define dangerous drugs;
House Bill 483, which would add a definition for ‘inspector of code enforcement,’ which would include those employed by or under contract with cities and counties who inspect buildings and businesses to ensure they are in compliance with the law. The bill would also add inspectors to the list of the enhanced penalties for simple assault, aggravated assault, simple battery, battery and aggravated battery;
House Bill 484, which would permit the publishing of the Georgia Laws to be electronic or in hardbound volumes. The Code Revision Commission would be charged with providing assistance and oversight of the digitization and electronic publication of the Georgia Laws in a permanent digital repository;
House Bill 485, which would repeal provisions of Georgia law enacted which would be contingent upon funding and remain unfunded, as well as provisions that have been found unconstitutional. Provisions where portions were found unconstitutional would be repealed and reenacted. Terminology would be amended to conform to other definitions in law;
House Bill 491, which would remove a sunset date related to hunting wildlife with an air gun. The bill would also make it unlawful to take any catfish species from state waters using a bow and arrow except under certain conditions;
House Bill 494, which would restrict individuals from operating mopeds on highways unless the moped is insured;
House Bill 506, which would require the Department of Community Health to provide Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatment. Coverage would not limit one’s number of tobacco cessation attempts;
House Bill 511, which would create a state law to allow for the creation of a catastrophe savings account to be used during qualifying catastrophic events. The account would be a savings or money market account and could only be used for catastrophic weather events declared a disaster or emergency by the state’s governor. A qualifying expense would either be an insurance deductible and any expenses related to the qualifying damage to a taxpayer’s primary residence that are not covered by insurance. The contribution limits would be set at no more than $2,000 if a taxpayer’s deductible is less than $1,000; twice the taxpayer’s deductible for deductibles over $1,000, up to $25,000 or up to $250,000 if a taxpayer is self-insured. A taxpayer would be granted a deduction on contributions to the account, interest income would be exempt from tax and excluded from the taxpayer’s income when making a qualifying distribution from the account;
House Bill 513, which would provide for the use of additional funding sources related to county services jointly funded by the county and one or more municipalities. The bill would require the county to provide an annual report of the funding of such jointly funded services;
House Bill 515, which would increase the number of superior court judges in the Augusta Judicial Circuit from five to six. The additional judge would be appointed for a term beginning January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, with their successor elected at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election;
House Bill 516, which would allow county and regional library boards and community service boards to conduct meetings via teleconference;
House Bill 521, which would provide for the deannexation of property owned by a county. The bill would provide that proposed annexations by application of 100 percent of affected landowners in counties that meet specified criteria would be contingent upon the adoption of a resolution by the governing authority of the impacted county;
House Bill 529, which relates to the Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act and would allow consumers to have the option for a service contract to end after its specified period rather than being subject to an automatic renewal. The option to terminate a service contract after its specified period would be outlined in writing, which would be signed by both seller and consumer. State law would be revised to reflect service contracts of more than one year having automatic renewal enforceable if the consumer has received written or electronic acknowledgement of renewal and the consumer has provided an affirmative written or electronic response that they do not wish to terminate their contract. The service provider would also inform the consumer of an increase in any charge on automatic renewals. Certain entities would be exempt from this chapter, and further Code sections would have minor language changes to create continuity with this new section. Automatic renewal violations of provisions within the Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act would render service contracts void;
House Bill 530, which would require all probate courts on or before January 1, 2028, to provide electronic filing of all pleadings and any other documents related to civil matters in probate court. A court’s electronic filing service provider may charge a fee not to exceed $30 per filer per case, in addition to a convenience fee for credit card and bank drafting services. A portion of the transaction fee would be retained by the probate court and remitted to the local governing authority. An attorney would be allowed unlimited access to view and download electronically filed documents, and the judge and their staff would have access to all electronically filed pleadings and documents;
House Bill 531, which would be known as the Municipal Sovereign Immunity Act and would subject municipal tort claims to the limitations on liability of the state found in The Georgia Tort Claims Act, where no claimant would recover a sum exceeding $3 million from a single occurrence, and a municipality’s aggregate liability per occurrence would not exceed $5 million. Caps on liability would not be disclosed or suggested to the jury during the trial. No award for damages would include punitive or exemplary damages or interest prior to judgment and where a judgment is obtained, the judgment would bear interest at an annual rate of seven percent. Claims would be presented to the municipality within 12 months of the occurring event;
House Bill 532, which would amend state law relating to annual grants for state-owned property and annual grants for counties with 20,000 or more acres of unimproved land owned by the Department of Natural Resources and would eliminate language that prohibited counties from receiving grant funding from both programs in any given year;
House Bill 535, which would address the Georgia Court of Appeals’ case in Kellum v. State (2023). Regarding time served calculations for a person who has been incarcerated, that person would be given full credit for each day served in confinement, since the date of the commission of the violation per state law (Granting of Credit Generally/Use in Determining Parole Eligibility), excluding time tolled per O.C.G.A. 42-8-36 (Duty of Probationer to Inform Officer of Residence/Tolling /Unpaid Moneys);
House Bill 549, which would extend the time frame for reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer of a peace officer to be sought to 36 months;
House Bill 551, which would relate to motor vehicle temporary operating permits (TOPs) and would require individuals who become a resident of Georgia to register their vehicle within 30 days of becoming a resident. Each day that the vehicle is found in violation of this would be considered a separate offense, and the individual in violation would be guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined $100. Vehicles owned, rented, leased or operated in the state would be required to be registered. The bill would make it unlawful for individuals to operate vehicles without a valid license plate or TOP and would remove existing language regarding used and new motor vehicle dealers issuing temporary operating permits. Given there is enough space, if a vehicle does not have a county name decal on its license plate, the individual in violation would be subject to a fine no greater than $25. The bill would outline the process for dealers of new or used vehicles issuing TOPs. The issuance of a TOP would be done without a fee unless certain circumstances are applicable. TOPs would be designed by the Department of Revenue and may bear the name of the dealer and its location and the permit would have an expiration date that is 45 days from point of purchase. The department would be allowed to develop and maintain an electronic TOP issuance system and would be responsible for monitoring those who violate provisions regarding TOPs. If the department decides to suspend a dealer’s access to the TOP issuance system, the dealer would have the right to a formal hearing to be held within 30 days of the department’s decision. If a dealer has been found to issue TOPs unlawfully, they would be suspended for up to 24 months and would be issued a fine of no more than $100 per offense. The bill would further revise language relating to dealership plates, dealer recordkeeping and passive entities that own motor vehicles;
House Bill 563, which would add licensed physical therapists to the list of physicians who may present an affidavit for the purpose of allowing an individual to apply for a disability parking permit;
House Bill 567, which would authorize tele-dentistry by licensed dentists, while establishing requirements and restrictions. The bill would allow for the coverage of tele-dentistry healthcare services under dental benefits plans;
House Bill 569, which would allow for electronic delivery of decisions by the Department of Labor involving unemployment insurance. The applicant would elect to use this electronic delivery or have their paperwork mailed to them. The bill would also provide a definition of issue date, which would include a provision that would allow the department, through regulations, to waive or alter the time limit provisions of when a decision becomes final as long as it would comply with due process for all interested parties;
House Bill 571, which would provide definitions related to radiologist assistants and put their licensing and regulation under the purview of the Georgia Composite Medical Board. The board would appoint an advisory committee on radiologist assistants;
House Bill 575, which would allow the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to use electronic publication for notifications of certain public hearings. The bill states that in any instance where federal or state law is unclear as to whether a public hearing is required, GDOT would be required to hold a hearing. The bill would authorize GDOT to negotiate acquisition of common property of a condominium association or property owners’ association with the designated board for either such association. The bill would also authorize establishment of a program by the department for the clearing of rights of way and the removal of wrecked or abandoned heavy duty vehicles from the rights of way of interstate highways and limited access highways. The bill would provide for payment of costs related to the removal or relocation of public utilities through agreement between the department and the utility provider;
House Bill 577, which would amend state law to require the Department of Revenue to develop a directory for registrations of nicotine vapor products, which would be defined as products containing nicotine and vapor device designed to deliver consumable vapor that contains nicotine. The term would not include a consumable vapor product that is contained in or utilizes an open system. The registration for each brand would require information, such as the name under which the vapor product transacts, license information, principal place of business of the manufacturer and the brand name, category, flavor and description. There would be a fee of $1,000 when the manufacturer first submits a certification for a product and $250 annually per product thereafter. The commissioner would provide manufacturers that submit registrations with deficiencies an opportunity to make corrections prior to removing the product from the directory. If a product is removed from the directory, then dealers and distributors would have 30 days from the date notice is received of the removal to either sell or return for full refund the product in its inventory. After 30 days, sale of the product removed from the directory would be illegal. The bill would provide for civil penalties directed toward vapor product dealers or vapor product distributors that make available for sale any product that is not included in the directory. By January 31 of every year after the program goes into effect, the Department of Revenue would provide a report on the directory, including products included on the directory, revenue and expenditures related to the administration of the program. The bill would only be effective upon appropriation for the specific purposes set forth in the bill;
House Bill 579, which would amend state law related to professions and business and would make broad changes to the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Division and the division’s director. Section 1-1 would grant the Professional Licensing Division the ability to allow applicants to take necessary examinations before starting an application, when appropriate. The bill would require the division director to maintain a roster of names and addresses for individuals that have received a cease-and-desist letter from a professional licensing board for practicing a profession without a license. An exception would be provided for persons that fail to renew a license in a 45-day period. Section 1-2 would add the ability to grant applications for license issuance, renewal or reinstatement to the duties of the secretary of state’s Professional Licensing Division director. Section 1-3 of the bill would grant the director of Professional Licensing Division the ability to approve applications for licensing, renewal or reinstatement on behalf of professional licensing boards. The director would only approve applications if the applicant satisfies all requirements for licensure. If the director is unable to make a determination or an application is deficient, the director would forward the application to the relevant licensing board. The licensing board must approve or deny the application in a timely manner. A licensing board could still approve or deny a license before any review or determination has been made by the division director. The division could utilize other methods of confirming required educational achievements, in addition to receiving or requesting an applicant’s official transcript. Section 1-4 would codify the division director’s ability to set expiration, renewal and penalty dates with approval from the related professional licensing boards. The division director would also be instructed to set renewal dates over a two-year period in a manner that, within reason, would evenly distribute renewal dates. A license would remain renewable for up to 45 days after the expiration of licensing, provided that the license holder would meet all requirements of the license and paid all fees due. Section 1-5 would allow the governor to remove a licensing board member for cause without a hearing. Section 1-6 would limit licensing boards to promulgating rules and regulations that would solely protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Sections 2-1 would strike provisions establishing separate standards committees for the Composite Board Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists and would eliminate a requirement for multiple board members to review and approve an application. Section 3-1 would set the bills effective date as July 1, 2026.
House Bill 582, which would be the Georgia Survivor Justice Act. When a defendant in a prosecution under Title 16, Chapter 5 (Crimes Against the Person) raises a justification defense under law, the defendant could offer relevant evidence that they had been subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence or child abuse that was committed by the alleged victim to establish that the defendant was justified in using force or deadly force. This evidence could include seeking law enforcement assistance, seeking services from a counselor or social worker, seeking medical attention, showing effects of battering and post-traumatic stress disorder or relevant protective orders. Section 3 would limit the exception for murder to malice murder in which a person is immune from criminal liability due to coercion and would extend it to when there is imminent death of a third party. Section 4 would revise state law to say that a person convicted of felony murder and sentenced to death or life imprisonment when the predicate felony offense was cruelty to children in the second degree would be resentenced to imprisonment of between 10 and 30 years, if that predicate offense occurred prior to July 1, 2014. Section 6 would allow a defendant to present evidence, at the time of sentencing, that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence or child abuse and that those acts were a significant contributing factor to the offense that the defendant is being sentenced for. This section would allow the following evidence to be introduced: hearsay; character evidence; evidence indicating they sought assistance from law enforcement, a counselor or social worker, or medical professionals; prior statements regarding these acts; evidence of the effects of battering and posttraumatic stress disorder; evidence pertaining to the alleged perpetrator’s history of other types of these acts; expert testimony or any other evidence that the court determines is credible and has sufficient probative value. The judge could impose a different sentence if they believe that the defendant was subjected to these types of acts and that they were a significant contributing factor to the offense or if the best interests of justice and welfare of society would be served. If the judge finds that one of those elements are met and the person was convicted of a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment, then they would be sentenced to imprisonment for between one and 30 years. If that person was convicted of a felony other than one punishable by life or imprisonment or death, then they would be sentenced to imprisonment for between one and one-half the maximum period of time for which they could have been sentenced, by one-half the maximum fine to which they could have been subjected or both. Section 7 would provide for the evidentiary privilege in court proceedings for communications made in the context of victim-centered practices or victim-offender dialogues, as provided in state law, which would be created in Section 8. Section 8 would create the evidentiary privilege for communications made at any time while preparing for participating in a victim-centered practice or victim-offender dialogue. This information would not be subject to discovery in court proceedings or public inspection. Parties involved in these practices or dialogues could refuse to share their communications relating to this and prevent others in court from doing so. Facilitators of these programs would be immune from civil damages for statements, actions, omissions or decisions made in the course of these practices or dialogues unless it was grossly negligent and made with malice or made with willful disregard for the safety or property of any party to the practice or dialogue;
House Bill 583, which would increase the number of free license plates issued to disabled veterans from one to two;
House Bill 584, which would reassign licensing and oversight of drug abuse treatment and education programs, narcotic treatment programs, community living arrangements and adult residential mental health programs from the Department of Community Health (DCH) to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Community service boards would be the governing bodies. Rules and regulations created and implemented by December 31, 2025, would remain in effect until revoked. All issued and provisional licenses provided by DCH on December 31, 2025, would be valid until they are revoked, renewed, surrendered or terminated. The reassignment would be effective January 1, 2026;
House Bill 586, which would amend state law relating to the application of the intangible recording tax by changing the period length in the definitions of a long-term note secured by real estate, the placement of a lien upon real estate and bonds for a title in the absence of a security deed from three years to seven years;
House Bill 593, which would provide nonpartisan elections for the probate court judge of Baker County;
House Bill 612, which would add the insurance commissioner to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council and would establish a parity compliance review panel within the council that would be composed of six members;
House Bill 614, which would allow a county governing authority or municipal corporation to adopt ordinances prohibiting firework usage within 100 yards of commercial facilities housing equines. Similarly, the county governing authority or municipal corporation could issue special event permits that would allow the usage of fireworks within the 100-yard range;
House Bill 618, which would require a seller of real property to disclose any actual knowledge of physical flood damage, flood-related insurance claims, flood-related repairs made to the property, repetitive loss designations, flood insurance maintenance requirements, any part of property located within a floodplain and any erosion control structures affecting the property. Disclosures would be made in writing with relevant dates and any violations would be subject to civil remedies;
House Bill 627, which would clarify that aggravated assault with a firearm is included within the definition of “Class A designated felony act” in the Juvenile Code;
House Bill 630, which would revise requirements for the State Board of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers to be composed of 10 members. The bill would revise requirements for applicants and existing applicants. In addition, both divisions within the board would be merged to provide for more flexibility. Part II of the bill would revise who can certify licensees for applied behavior analysis to include the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board or its successor;
House Bill 635, which would revise board requirements and licensing requirements related to the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors. This would remove the limitation on the number of terms that board members can serve and would allow certain members of the board to have prior experience as a public building official rather than be currently in that position. A residential light commercial contractor or commercial general contractor would have at least four years of aggregate, academic credits from college-level courses in specific fields. The board also would have the ability to revoke licenses if a licensee knowingly enters into a contractual agreement to lawfully engage in or provide the use of their license to engage in contracting or perform the functions of a contractor;
House Bill 638, which would prohibit parking or stopping in a transit vehicle lane in the City of Atlanta unless authorized by an official traffic control device, occurs during an emergency situation or is otherwise authorized by law, and it provides for enforcement by automated transit vehicle lane monitoring devices. The bill would also establish civil monetary penalties for violation differentiated by whether the violation was enforced via a law enforcement officer or an automated transit vehicle lane monitoring device with recorded images. The bill would provide for disbursement of funds collected, device and records inspections and a sunset date of January 1, 2030;
House Bill 645, which would remove the COVID-19 testing requirement for new residents and staff in long-term care facilities;
House Bill 646, which would revise minimum salaries and compensation provisions for coroners, setting the minimum pay at $17,700 and increasing based on population ranges;
House Bill 647, which would annex certain described property into the City of Mulberry;
House Bill 652, which would amend Georgia’s motor fuel tax code to clarify taxation of electricity used as a motor fuel through electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The bill would introduce a fuel tax exemption for EV charging stations owned or operated by nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, as long as they meet certain requirements;
House Bill 677, which would establish discharge procedures for a child who has received psychiatric care at a hospital or psychiatric residential treatment facility in the event the child’s legal guardian fails to resume custody of such child;
House Bill 718, which would designate the first week of April of each year as Women’s Golf Week in Georgia;

March32025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 7

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

On Monday, February 24^th we returned to the Capitol to resume our legislative duties. During the week, we convened in the chambers for four days, of active debate of legislation. Tuesday was set aside for a full day of committee meetings. While the House did not convene in the chamber on Tuesday, we and our colleagues diligently working to move legislation through the committee process. This week, the House voted on several bills and resolutions – the most of any week so far. We would like to highlight a few notable pieces of legislation that passed the House this week as we sprinted towards Crossover day.

With the unanimous passage of House Bill 428, the House took a significant step in supporting Georgians and their growing families. This legislation would codify the right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in our state’s law. Many couples face the heartbreaking challenge of infertility, with the Centers for Disease Control reporting that 19% of women experience this struggle. IVF has provided a safe and effective path to parenthood for many, and in 2021 alone, more than 2,300 children were born in Georgia through this medical intervention, and members of the House shared stories of their personal connections to this life-changing medical procedure. These testimonies underscored just how vital IVF is for families struggling with infertility, making our vote to protect this right even more meaningful. We were proud to stand with our colleagues in ensuring that those who rely on IVF have the legal protection and support they need to grow their families through this procedure.

House Bill 307 demonstrates the House’s dedication to improving literacy in Georgia. Passed with bipartisan support this week, HB 307 amends the Georgia Early Literacy Act to include dyslexia, renaming it the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act. During the 2023 legislative session, the House passed House Bill 538, and HB 307 builds on that legislation to further support students at risk of not achieving grade-level reading proficiency or who exhibit characteristics of dyslexia. HB 307 would remove outdated language related to programs that do not align with these science-based standards and would prevent the three-cueing method from being used in Georgia. The bill ensures that only effective, research-based approaches are used. Importantly, HB 307 would not ban the use of picture books, pictures or the practice of calling attention to pictures or using flash cards in instruction. These methods could still be used as supplemental tools but not as a primary means of literacy instruction. Additionally, HB 307 would create the Georgia Literacy Coach Coordination Council to ensure that Georgia’s literacy coaches receive quality instruction that is standardized. By focusing on early literacy, we ensure that every child has the tools needed to succeed academically and beyond.

Another significant bill that passed out of the House this week was House Bill 124, mandates that the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) provide health insurance coverage for children diagnosed with Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS). Under this bill, all SHBP policies renewed or issued on or after July 1, 2025, would be required to include coverage for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management or ongoing monitoring of a covered person’s disorder. Both PANS and PANDAS are rare diseases that have previously not been recognized under the SHBP as covered conditions, and this legislation would help ensure that affected families and patients have answers and receive the care they need. Moreover, this legislation would align Georgia with 29 other states that have adopted similar coverage mandates. In 2019, the House established the House Study Committee on PANS and PANDAS. The study committee’s mission was to examine and identify the barriers to diagnosing and treating PANS and PANDAS, while also raising awareness and improving access to testing, diagnosis and timely medication and care. Advocates and patients have long pushed for awareness and health coverage for these rare diseases, and we are proud of the House’s leadership in addressing this issue and delivering on our promise to Georgia’s families by supporting those affected by these rare diseases.

We also took an important step to protect Georgia’s children by passing House Bill 171, a measure aimed at addressing the growing concern surrounding computer-generated obscene material involving children. As technology evolves, so do the ways in which individuals may exploit and potentially harm children, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing an increasingly prominent role. HB 171, also known as the Illegal AI Activities Act, would create a new criminal offense for the distribution, solicitation or possession with the intent to distribute obscene computer-generated material that depict a child. Individuals convicted of this crime would face a prison sentence between one and 15 years. In addition, HB 171 would give judges the discretion to impose specific probation rules, including special protections for minors. These specific probation rules could include being monitored remotely and imposing restrictions on using drones or prohibiting the individual from running for a local school board position. Additionally, HB 171 would enhance sentences for certain crimes when they involve the use of AI. For example, crimes such as stalking, aggravated stalking, exploitation of a disabled adult, child exploitation and theft, among others, would carry increased penalties if AI is used in the crime. If AI is determined to be the proximate cause of the crime—meaning it played a direct role in facilitating the offense—those convicted could face up to 12 additional months in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for misdemeanor offenses. For felony crimes, this penalty enhancement could result in a minimum of two extra years in prison. By passing HB 171, the House took a strong stand to guarantee that emerging technology is used responsibly, closing a loophole to ensure that those who attempt to use AI technology for criminal purposes are held accountable.

To support Georgia’s veterans, the House passed House Bill 108, the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act (SAVE Act); it provides protections for veterans applying for veterans’ benefits, while also encouraging free-market business practices. Georgia has a large veteran population, many of whom are eligible for benefits but face delays, denials or difficulty navigating the claims process. Currently, there is a backlog of appeals of more than 300,000 benefits claims at the Veterans Affairs (VA), and most appeals take five to 10 years to resolve. Because of this, many veterans have decided to pay third-party claims consultant companies, who in turn, have been able to provide quicker and more effective services than the VA. However, HB 108 seeks to ensure that these businesses operate within a regulated framework to prevent exploitation of our veterans. This exploitation has manifested in the form of charging veterans to assemble claims packets, charging upfront fees, making false promises or failing to deliver services. To combat these predatory practices, the bill would prohibit businesses from compensating individuals for referrals to their services, require a written agreement that discloses fees and informs veterans of free alternatives, such as those available through the VA and the Department of Veterans Services and cap fees at no more than five times the monthly increase in awarded benefits and no upfront charges would be allowed. The bill would also ban companies from employing doctors to influence medical evaluations in the claims process and prohibit the use of international call centers for handling veterans’ personal information and mandating background checks for anyone handling this sensitive data. Furthermore, businesses offering these services would be required to comply with Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act, subjecting them to oversight by the Attorney General’s Office. Violators of the bill’s provisions would face daily fines of up to $2,000 per violation, and the Attorney General’s Office would have the authority to enforce these penalties and ensure compliance with the law. To this end, we owe it to the women and men who have served our great country, and this bill would safeguard and expedite their rights to VA benefits, while also ensuring that businesses are held to ethical standards when helping our veterans with claims needs.

The House also passed House Bill 253, or Ethan’s Law, with bipartisan support, to protect Georgia families during the reunification process. Under current law, superior court judges could order children to attend reunification camps outside of Georgia, which would not only remove the child from the state’s jurisdiction but also violate certain parental rights. Parents with sole custody could be directed, under court order, to send their children across state lines for reunification with a parent who was previously deemed unfit for custody. Ethan’s Law would prevent such practices by prohibiting juvenile courts from ordering family reunification or unification treatments, programs or services, including camps, workshops, therapeutic vacations or educational programs. The bill would define these treatments as educational or experiential workshops that may involve youth transporters or private transportation agents. With the passage of HB 253, the House took crucial action to protect parental rights, as well as the safety and well-being of Georgia’s children.

We also turned our attention this week to House Bill 373, which would mandate insurance coverage for annual prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men, including digital rectal examinations and prostate-specific antigen tests. Given that early detection significantly improves outcomes for prostate cancer, this bill would prioritize preventive care over late-stage, often costly treatments. The bill defines high-risk men as men who have a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, who developed prostate cancer, whose death was a result of prostate cancer, who has been diagnosed with a cancer known to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer or who has a genetic alteration known to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. It would further define high-risk men as men with a family history of prostate cancer between 40 and 49 years old, men who are 50 years and older and other men, as determined by a physician. By defining risk categories and ensuring coverage for these essential screenings, HB 373 would allow for greater chances of early detection and would ultimately save lives as a result.

We also passed the following bills and resolutions during the seventh week of session:

House Bill 14, designates corn bread as the official state bread of Georgia;
House Bill 34, requires the Office of the Secretary of State to institute a unified system for tracking the continuing education credits completed by licensees of the various boards under the Secretary of State’s purview. Beginning on January 1, 2026, a professional licensing board would not renew a license until the applicant has complied with all applicable continuing education requirements;
House Bill 66, amends state law relating to alternative ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fee by defining “special modified rental vehicle” as a motor vehicle significantly modified at a manufacturing facility operated by the owner of the vehicle that would be rented or leased without a driver to businesses, and the rental or lease transaction that would be subject to state and local sales and use taxes. A person applying for a certificate of title for a special modified rental vehicle would be required to pay 50% of the title ad valorem tax fee at the time it is due and 50% within 12 months of filing the application;
House Bill 78, allows the Firefighters Pension Fund to invest up to 20 % of assets in alternative investments. HB 78 would also allow the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) of Georgia to invest up to 10% of assets in alternative investments;
House Bill 94, requires health benefit policy renewed or issued after January 1, 2026, to include coverage for expenses related to starting fertility preservation when a medically necessary treatment may cause infertility;
House Bill 113, requires the Georgia Technology Authority to maintain a list of concerned goods produced by a foreign company of concern. State entities would be prohibited from purchasing concerned goods from a foreign company of concern, a foreign country of concern or a third-party vendor or reseller;
House Bill 115, establishes procedure and policy for discovery and subsequent removal of vessels abandoned or left unattended on public property or in public waters of this state;
House Bill 131, revises self-serving storage facility advertising requirements so that storage facility owners attempting to enforce a lien would be required to publish an auction advertisement once in the legal organ for the county or in any other commercially reasonable manner. The advertisement would be deemed commercially reasonable if at least three independent bidders attend the auction;
House Bill 134, amends state law relating to sales and use tax by eliminating language that excludes the local portion of sales and use tax from a 50% exemption on the sales price of a manufactured home that has been converted to real property;
House Bill 136, amends state law relating to tax credits for contributions to foster child support organizations and would expand qualified expenditures for the credit to include wraparound services for aging foster children and justice involved youth who meet certain criteria: HB 136 defines “justice involved youth” as those between the ages of 18 and 25 who are currently or previously committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and were placed, or are currently placed, in a nonsecure facility or community setting. HB 136 would become effective on July 1, 2025, and would be applicable to all taxable years beginning on January 1, 2026;
House Bill 143, relates to water permits for agricultural use and would remove language from state law that requires permittees to have an acceptable type of water measuring device within one year of the updated effective date on a revised permit. EPD would also be allowed to undertake other repairs and replacements of these devices when necessary;
House Bill 153, amends state law relating to sales and use tax exemptions for certain manufacturing equipment by extending the sunset date for an exemption on maintenance and replacement parts of machinery or equipment used with mixed concrete to June 30, 2031;
House Bill 163, requires food service establishments to clearly denote items on their menus that contain cell cultured meat, such as food products designed to share characteristics with actual meat products, plant-based meat alternatives or both;
House Bill 164, repeals the sunset on the allowable 10% variance on weight limitations for vehicle or load hauling commodities within certain areas of the state. It allows for enforcement of dimensions and weight of vehicles by local law enforcement officers trained to do so. HB 164 requires any violation found during enforcement of weight and load provisions related to licensing or fuel tax registration and identification requirements be reported to the Georgia Department of Revenue by the officer or employee observing the violation;
House Bill 169, amends current law relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and forest land conservation use property to sunset a provision that would allow for solar energy generation to be a permissible use of property that would be subject to a conservation use covenant on July 1, 2036. Any related contracts, including contracts that contain an option contract for the lease of solar energy generation for the purpose of heat or electricity, entered into prior to July 1, 2026, would continue until the sunset date;
House Bill 172, would clarify eligibility for the Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program to include former students and specifies that applicants must have practiced in the required specialty for 10 years or less. The maximum award amount for repayment would be increased from $80,000 to $90,000, to be paid in increments of $30,000 per 12 months of service;
House Bill 176, mirrors legislation previously introduced, defines the term “final judgement” to include cases in which some counts would be ordered “dead docketed” so that the case would not remain pending and unable to be appealed. This would be a response to the Supreme Court of Georgia’s decision in Seals v. Georgia (2021). The bill provides that statutory authority for the applicable appellate courts hear direct appeals from guilty pleas on appeal. It allow a defendant who missed the deadline for filing a motion for a new trial or notice of appeal, The judge has the discretion to allow for extensions of time on this motion. Further, those who had their original out-of-time appeal dismissed due to the Supreme Court of Georgia’s decision in Cook v. State (2022), or a case following its precedent, for leave to file another motion until June 30, 2026. An indigent defendant would be entitled to representation for both the original motion and, if approved, the subsequent out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal.. The bill would allow a person to withdraw their guilty plea that results in a conviction after the term of the court ends, so long as it would still be within 30 days of the entry of the judgment, to address caselaw that said the defendant lacked jurisdiction to allow the defendant to withdraw their guilty plea when the term of court in which that defendant was sentenced expired;
House Bill 182, prohibits group life insurance policies in Georgia from excluding or restricting liability for the death of an insured individual who is an active-duty service member unless the death is directly or indirectly caused by war or a related act or hazard;
House Bill 187, modernizations and updates licensing code for electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors and utility contractors. The bill would make the following changes: 1) revise requirements for State Construction Industry Licensing Board members; 2) revise what plumber classifications can install, maintain, alter or repair medical gas piping systems; 3) exempt any licensed conditioned air contractor who also is a registered professional engineer from certain continuing education requirements; 4) remove the cap on continuing education that both the Division of Electrical Contractors and the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers can require; 5) require each division to make all reasonable efforts to provide continuing education online or through home study courses; 6) clarify that any licensed master plumber or company that holds a valid utility contractor license can construct, alter or repair any plumbing system that extends from the property line up to five feet of any building; and 7) allow for applicable licensee’s partners, officers and employees to continue operating for 60 days after the death of a licensee, in addition to allowing the applicable division to provide one additional 60-day grace period. The bill also revises dates and timelines, add references to Internet advertising and would revise fine amounts;
House Bill 208, creates four specialty license plates. The first would honor the Shepherd Center, with funds raised disbursed to Shepherd Center, Inc.; the second would honor Georgia veterans and their families, with funds raised disbursed to the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; the third would support the Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites Division, with funds raised allocated to the same division; and the fourth would promote the conservation and enhancement of black bass populations, with funds raised allocated to the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation;
House Bill 222, requires a bond to include the full name, email address and phone number of the principal and each surety;
House Bill 227, which would rename low THC oil as medical cannabis throughout Georgia law. It would also allow for information to be distributed to physicians and current card holders. Additionally, the bill would remove the end-stage requirement from the allowed conditions;
House Bill 232, enters Georgia into the Interstate Massage Compact. The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy would administer the compact, which would become effective upon passage by the seventh member state and would allow those who are licensed in a member state to practice in other member states;
House Bill 233 designates Brunswick stew as the official state stew of Georgia;
House Bill 240, prohibits engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices when using a mortgage trigger lead, or a consumer report whose issuance is triggered by a credit inquiry, to solicit a consumer who has applied for a loan with another mortgage lender or broker.
House Bill 241, revises law related to convenience fees by authorizing a lender or merchant to collect, in lieu of the actual cost, a fee which would not exceed the average of the actual cost incurred for a specific type of electronic payment, or a fee of up to five dollars, whichever is greater;
House Bill 254, allows a marker to be placed on State Capitol building grounds and state archives building grounds that would commemorate the patriots of the Revolutionary War. The placement location would be subject to approval by the Capitol Arts Standards Commission for placement on Capitol grounds and by the Board of Regents for archives building grounds. No public funds would be used for the design and procurement of the markers;
House Bill 267, known as the Riley Gaines Act, amends current law to provide for separate restrooms and changing areas for males and females during athletic events in schools and post-secondary institutions. Schools and post-secondary institutions would be required to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals unwilling or unable to use a restroom or changing area designated for such individual’s sex. The bill would also provide for separation according to sex for sleeping arrangements on school trips. All public schools, local school systems and post-secondary education institutions participating in competitions or athletic events would be required to designate each team, competition or athletic event as for males, females, co-educational or mixed sex. The bill would also provide for legislative findings on the importance of certain distinctions between the sexes and would require any collector of vital statistics throughout Georgia to identify each individual as either male or female and to replace the term “gender” throughout Georgia law with “sex;”
House Bill 287, updates multiple sunset dates and authorize the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue free courtesy hunting or fishing licenses to paralyzed or disabled individuals participating in approved organized events. HB 287 would also introduce a new fee structure for resident shellfish crew licenses. It would create two categories: one for up to 10 harvesters at an annual fee of $200 and another for unlimited harvesters at an annual fee of $400;
House Bill 303, creates the Original 33 Memorial Act, which would allow a monument honoring the Original 33, the Black legislators expelled from the General Assembly after the end of Reconstruction, to be placed on Capitol grounds or in another prominent place. This would be subject to the availability of private funds;
House Bill 308, adds a definition for “miniature on-road vehicle” and would list its characteristics including: can transport people; operates between 25 and 45 miles per hour; has an overall width of 80 inches or less; is designed to travel on four plus wheels; uses a steering wheel; contains a non-straddle seat; has a gross vehicle weight of less than 4,000 pounds and is not designed to be a golf cart, multi-purpose off-highway vehicle or all-terrain vehicle. The bill would exclude miniature on-road vehicles manufactured 25 years prior to a registration application from having to comply with federal emission standards unless the vehicle has been modified by an importer registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Further Code sections pertaining to license plates, license fees, registration, taxation returns and vehicle operations would be revised to include miniature on-road vehicles;
House Bill 329, authorizes certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform artificial insemination as delegated by a physician or surgeon;
House Bill 352, also known as the Georgia Gestational Diabetes Management Act, includes patients with gestational diabetes on the list of those eligible for Medicaid covered by continuous glucose monitors. HB 352 would also remove the eligibility requirement for daily insulin administration; House Bill 377, which would revise provisions regarding when manufactured homes become real property, specifically through a certificate of permanent location.
House Bill 392, revises dates related to the establishment of the Georgia Tax Court with the initial chief judge serving an initial term beginning on April 1, 2026, and persons would be able to petition the court for relief beginning on and after July 1, 2026. All contested cases pending before the Georgia Tax Tribunal as of June 30, 2026, would be automatically transferred to the court as of July 1, 2026.
House Bill 410, removes language from state law related to administrative processes and regulatory oversight within the Georgia Department of Insurance. The bill would also move agency license renewals from an annual schedule to a biennial schedule;
House Bill 414, allows the State Ethics Commission to request documentation or information from a person located out of state.
House Bill 422, requires the state employees’ health insurance plan to include at least two high deductible health plans. The bill would allow enrolled employees to make pretax contributions to their health savings accounts;
House Bill 423, provides for Next Generation 9-1-1 systems and services and would require all new 9-1-1 systems to conform to wireless enhanced 9-1-1 standards. The bill would revise the duties and responsibilities of the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority, would add members to the board of directors and would revise the role of the executive director of the authority;
House Bill 444, which would designate the month of April of each year as Georgia Native Plant Month;
House Bill 475, refines Georgia’s film tax credit program by specifying “qualified production activities” that are eligible for tax incentives. The bill also authorizes the Department of Economic Development to charge fees associated with the project certification process;
House Bill 495, transfers authority of the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation from the University System of Georgia to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The center’s director would be appointed by the Department of Agriculture commissioner. It would have a Georgia Rural Development Council composed of 12 members, six of which would be appointed by the governor, three of which who live in different geographic areas of the state and would be appointed by the speaker of the House and three of which who live in different geographic areas of the state and would be appointed by the president of the Senate. The bill outlines duties of the center, including producing an annual report, providing information and research and conducting meetings at least once per quarter;
House Resolution 121, dedicates the Georgia Forestry Commission building located in Dry Branch Georgia as the John W. Mixon Georgia Forestry Building;

Again this week, we welcomed several groups from South Georgia to the Capital. As usual

it was great to spend time with several members of the Thomas County Board of Commissioners.

Thanks to Commissioners Mark Nesmith and Phillip Brown for your visit. We also Mia Burnett from Mitchell Count was on hand. On Tuesday student from Jerger School visited the Capitol to see how state government works. Many 4-H students in their Green were visitors to the Capital this week. Always happy to see them. Two others visitors sharing their concerns this week were Sam Carline andFields Searcy. Again ,thanks to all the visitors.

The Georgia House of Representatives will reconvene on Monday, March 3^rd, marking the start of our eighth week of the legislative session. On Thursday, March 6^th, we and our fellow House members will convene for Legislative Day 28, also known as Crossover Day. This is the critical deadline for bills and resolutions to pass out of their chamber of origin in order to remain eligible for final passage before the conclusion of the session on Legislative Day 40, or Sine Die. I invite you to continue to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the bills being considered. Please don’t hesitate to schedule a phone call or a visit to the State Capitol to discuss matters that are important to you and your family. We can be reached as follows: I can be can be reached at my office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246. Please contact the District office in Thomasville for any constituent matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you, recognize the honor you have given us and, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative.

February242025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 6

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

On Tuesday, February 18th the day after Presidents’ Day your General Assemble began the sixth week of the 2025 legislative session. By the end of the week, we reached Legislative Day 21, this means we are now more than halfway through the session. This week, we and our colleagues convened for four legislative days, passing a total of 25 bills. We continued to advance legislation on to the Senate in preparation for Crossover Day, Thursday, March 6th. Legislative Day 28, or Crossover Day, serves as a crucial milestone in the session as it is the final opportunity for bills and resolutions to pass out of their respective chambers and remain eligible to become law.

To start the week, the House unanimously passed House Bill 223, an important bill addressing agricultural losses from Hurricane Helene, particularly among those working in the timber industry who were heavily impacted by the storm’s damage. HB 223 is similar to legislation that was passed after Hurricane Michael; which in 2018 caused much damage and destruction to us Southwest Georgia. This bill would provide much-needed relief to these hardworking Georgians as they try to rebuild from the storm’s damage. HB 223 would exclude various federal disaster relief payments, related to Hurricane Helene recovery from counting toward taxable net income for tax years 2024 through 2029. Furthermore, the bill provides a tax credit for timber losses and materials used to repair or replace greenhouses or structures used for the production of animals, such as poultry houses or livestock barns. The bill includes income tax credits, and if timber producers re-plant following loss, they would be granted up to $400 of credit per acre of property losses. By exempting federal disaster relief payments from taxable income and providing tax credits for timber losses, the bill aims to ensure that those who suffered catastrophic financial setbacks can begin rebuilding without an added tax burden. We in Southwest Georgian still remember the deviation from Hurricane Michael and understand what they are going through. Expanding on our efforts to support our state following Helene’s devastation, the House also unanimously adopted House Resolution 42, which would ratify the executive orders issued by Governor Kemp following the suspension of the collection of motor and diesel fuel taxes between September 24 and October 16, 2024. Hurricane Helene was one of the worst storms in our state’s history, and with the unanimous passage of these two pieces of legislation in the House, we recognize the critical need to help our fellow Georgians.

The House unanimously passed legislation this week to strengthen Georgia’s First Offender Act and ensure that individuals who make a single, isolated mistake are given a chance to move forward without that mistake continuing to affect their lives. Originally enacted in the 1960s, the First Offender Act was established to offer a second chance to those who commit non-violent offenses, with the goal of helping individuals rebuild their lives without being hindered by a permanent criminal record. requires, starting July 1, 2025, individuals sentenced under the First Offender Act would automatically have their records sealed and restricted. Once an individual is cleared of guilt and discharged as a first offender, their records would be sealed within 60 days. Anyone cleared of guilt and discharged as a first offender prior to July 1, 2025, would be allowed to petition the court to have all records sealed and made unavailable to the public within 90 days of filing the petition. If an individual’s First Offender status is revoked, their records would be unsealed, and authorities, such as law enforcement and detention centers, would have the authority to release those records. HB 162 is a step in providing hope to those who may be affected, highlighting the need for second chances in certain instances.

House Bill 283, which also passed in the House this week, would allow individuals the choice of whether or not to sign a traffic citation when pulled over by an officer. Currently, the law states that those who do not sign their citation must post a cash bond. Instead, HB 283 would allow individuals the option to refuse to sign without facing immediate arrest or the need to post bond as long as they agree to appear in court. It was noted that many individuals mistakenly believe that signing a citation is an admission of guilt, but this legislation seeks to clarify that refusing to sign would not affect legal proceedings. The goal of this bill is to reduce negative encounters between citizens and law enforcement, decrease taxpayer costs, free up law enforcement for higher priority tasks and reduce unnecessary jail occupancy. By allowing drivers the right to refuse to sign without immediate legal consequences, the bill would prioritize individuals’ rights, de-escalate situations and promote public safety.

We also focused on solidifying Georgia’s position as a leader in workforce readiness with the passage of the Top State for Talent Act, House Bill 192. HB 192 builds on the successes of numerous workforce development initiatives, such as Georgia’s High Demand Career List, the Georgia MATCH Program and legislation passed last year that strengthens articulation agreements. The bill repurposes a grant program to help schools adjust their career, technical and agricultural education programs to match the High Demand Career List. Workforce readiness is necessary for ensuring that Georgia’s labor force meets the evolving needs of its competitive economy. Additionally, the bill would require the creation of a report on articulation agreements to eliminate redundancy, which would ensure students do not repeat coursework for skills they have already mastered. The Top State for Talent Act strengthens Georgia’s position as a national leader in workforce development, driving growth for Georgia’s economy. We will be creating a clear pipeline of skilled talent, prepared to meet the demands of the future.

House Bill 148 updates the certification process for public accountants in Georgia, it passed unanimously. The bill updates the requirements by reducing the education requirement to a four-year college degree with a concentration in accounting, along with two years of relevant work experience. Alternatively, individuals could still obtain licensure by completing a master’s degree with a concentration in accounting or taxation and one year of experience. It also updates existing mobility practice privileges to allow accounting firms to perform certain work without the need to maintain an office in Georgia. This change would modernize the CPA licensure process and enhance flexibility for accounting professionals and firms, which would contribute to the expansion of Georgia’s workforce and provide more opportunities for qualified individuals to serve as CPAs.

This week, we also took a significant step to ease a burden on Georgia families by unanimously passing House Bill 181, which would remove unnecessary costs and delays for families seeking a Georgia Certificate of Foreign Birth for children who have already completed the foreign adoption process and received U.S. citizenship. Currently, Georgia law requires adoptive families to undergo a “re-adoption” or “domestication” process. This process can involve hiring an attorney, navigating the court system and obtaining a report of adoption — essentially an acknowledgment of the adoption. The report must then be submitted to the Georgia Department of Vital Records to obtain the Certificate of Foreign Birth. This re-adoption process can be redundant and costly for families who have already invested significant resources in adopting a child internationally. Additionally, without the Certificate of Foreign Birth, adoptees are left with only their birth certificate from their country of origin, which can present challenges when using it for identification purposes. HB 181 would address this by allowing children who have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship through foreign adoption and who hold a Certificate of Citizenship to skip the extra step of obtaining a report of adoption to receive a Certificate of Foreign Birth. HB 181 would update the process to be quicker and less expensive for Georgia families by eliminating the need for unnecessary legal steps.

We and our House colleagues turned our attention to enhancing protections for household pets through the passage of House Bill 177, which would allow for a protective order in cases of family violence or dating violence to include provisions for the care, custody and control of any household pet. This would apply to pets owned by either party or by a child living in the household. Family and dating violence can often have a significant impact on household pets, with animals sometimes being harmed or threatened as a means of controlling or intimidating victims. HB 177 would ensure that victims of domestic violence are not forced to leave their pets behind when seeking safety, thus removing a common barrier that often prevents victims from escaping abuse.

We were honored with a visit from the Technical College System of Georgia. They were at the Capital to honor the Outstanding Teachers of the Year. Making the event very special is that our own Rhea Brashear, an instructor at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC), has been awarded the title of 2024 Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year. This recognition celebrates Brashear’s outstanding dedication, innovation, and impact in the field of adult education. With her receiving accolades was SRTC President, Jim Glass, and Amy Carter, Special Assistant to the President. Rhea Brashear was selected by a panel representing business, industry, and higher education. Selection criteria included teaching experience, leadership abilities and professionalism, proven innovation in teaching techniques, community involvement, and a strong commitment to adult education. For the next year, she will serve as the technical college system’s ambassador for adult educations. Thank you, Mrs. Brashear for your service to our state, you honor us with your service. As always it is great to see folks from home.

We also passed the following bills during this the sixth week of session:

House Bill 38, which would provide Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG) eligibility to students who have completed 70% of a four-year program or 45% of a two-year program. The sunset date for the GCCG program would be extended to June 30, 2029;
House Bill 51, would authorize the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and manage projects related to natural gas facilities, including outside any certified areas of a non-municipal gas company. This would include the storage, supply and distribution of natural gas, pipelines, storage tanks, natural gas distribution systems, associated equipment, vehicles, properties, furnishings and devices. The bill empowers the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to create and enforce regulations to fulfill its responsibilities and add “natural gas systems” to the personal liability of the authority’s members, officers and employees;
House Bill 53, updates criteria for veterans to be eligible for burial in a Georgia veterans cemetery. Members would qualify in accordance with the federal Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act of 2021, provided the member died after August 1, 1990, and completed a full term of service with an honorable discharge. Reserve and National Guard members who died during service, as well as immediate family members, would also be eligible. The Department of Veterans Service may charge burial fees;
House Bill 58, defines the term “ticketed entertainment event” and would make it illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 400 feet of a ticketed entertainment event without proper consent. Anyone found guilty of violating the terms of this bill would be punished as a misdemeanor;
House Bill 73, changes future elections for the Seminole County Board of Education to be nonpartisan;
House Bill 85, changes superior court judicial compensation to have the annual salary of each superior court judge set by the General Assembly with that salary not exceeding 90% of the annual salary fixed for judges of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The new structure would also cap the locality pay for each superior court judge at no more than 10% of the state annual salary. The bill would not alter retirement benefits that were previously in existence. Superior court judges in office on July 1, 2025, would opt into this compensation structure by filing written notification with the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia and the governing authority of each county comprising the judge’s judicial circuit. A superior court judge who does not exercise this option would maintain the existing compensation structure for that judge. All local laws, ordinances and resolutions in effect that tie a state, county or local salary to that of any superior court judge’s salary would be suspended until July 1, 2026, with that state, county or local salary remaining the same during that period of suspension. That salary would remain unchanged until the suspension is terminated, local legislation sets the compensation or local ordinance becomes effective;
House Bill 86, which would revise salaries for justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the Court of Appeals, the judge of the State-wide Business Court and the judge of the Georgia State Tax Court. Fixed dollar amounts would be repealed and replaced with a base salary equal to that of judges of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia with each justice of the Supreme Court not receiving more than 100 percent of that base salary, each judge of the Court of Appeals not receiving more than 99 percent of that base salary and the judge of the State-wide Business Court, as well as the judge of the Tax Court, not receiving more than 95 percent of that base salary;
House Bill 90, amends Georgia law related to bona fide conservation use property to increase the maximum acreage to qualify as a bona fide conservation use property from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres. These changes would be effective on January 1, 2027, only if the related constitutional amendment is ratified by voters in the statewide election held in November 2026;
House Bill 92, updates Georgia law related to base year homestead exemptions by changing the date by which local governments must follow certain procedures to opt out of the base year homestead exemption from March 1, 2025, to March 31, 2029. Local governments would be required to opt out by March 31st of any given tax year for the opt out to be applicable to that same tax year. The last of the three required public hearings related to opting out of the program would be required to occur within 30 days of the effective date of the opt-out resolution. Relating to requirements for annual notices of current assessments, the bill would allow for a levying or recommending authority to provide an estimate for the current year’s taxes utilizing the previous year’s millage rate and current assessment if the estimated rollback rate is not certified by the time the annual notice is given. Additionally, local governments may provide, as part of the annual notice of assessment, an estimated amount of ad valorem taxes owed for the current year. The bill would also allow for a homestead exemption applicant to complete an application for an exemption during or in lieu of an appeal of a homestead reassessment;
House Bill 116, renames the Motor Carrier Compliance Division within the Department of Public Safety and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and would update further language to reflect this change;
House Bill 117, requires all commercial food service establishments that serve shrimp to conspicuously display “FOREIGN IMPORTED” or “FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP” by each menu item containing imported shrimp;
House Bill 147, defines the term “artificial intelligence” and revises the responsibilities of the Georgia Technology Authority. It requires the authority to conduct an inventory of all systems that utilize artificial intelligence and are in use by any state agency. The authority would be mandated to develop and establish procedures that govern the development, implementation and assessment of artificial intelligence systems used by agencies to prevent unlawful discrimination against individuals or groups. The authority would also be required to prepare an annual report regarding the inventory of artificial intelligence systems in use by agencies and to make this report available to the state offices specified in the bill;
House Bill 155, provides guidelines and requirements for objecting to a proposed annexation and the arbitration process that follows;
House Bill 167, revises restrictions relating to hunting feral hogs, bears and deer. The bill would make the color fluorescent pink an acceptable outer garment color that can be worn while hunting these animals under specific circumstances;
House Bill 196, requires health insurers to reimburse a pharmacy for a drug dispensed to a covered person on the State Health Benefit Plan based on the national average drug acquisition cost. Additionally, the bill would require a professional dispensing fee that is not less than the professional dispensing fee paid by the state under the Social Security Act;
House Bill 205, requires the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to develop a list of unmanned aircraft systems approved for use within this state;
Senate Bill 16, which would prohibit any member of the governing authority of a local government to engage directly or indirectly in a bail bond business within the jurisdiction of their respective government.

As busy as this week was, we made time to spend with folks from home. It was great to spend a few minutes with the wonderful Keve Family. Kevin and Kristi were here with their children Audrey and Cooper. They were able to advocate and share their concerns for educating our children, especially in South Georgia. Thanks for taking the time to visit. Also walking the Hall of the capital this week was Daryl Patz. He had concerns with healthcare issues to share with us. It was a surprise to see Coach Floyd from TCCHS at the Capital Friday. He was visiting the Capital. Coach, it was great to have you on hand.
We resume work on Monday, February 24th for our seventh week of the session. On Tuesday, February 25th we will be dedicated to our first committee workday, the day will be packed with committee meetings to review legislation before we reach Crossover Day.

Feel free to schedule a call or visit to discuss the issues that are most important to you and your family during Session, while I am in Atlanta. Please know that I can be can be reached at my office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246. Please contact the District office in Thomasville for any constituent matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

February182025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 5

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

This week, the Members of Georgia House of Representatives returned to the Capitol on Monday, February 10th for the fifth week of the 2025 legislative session. We have been hard at work, addressing the many issues that matter most to you and advancing important legislation through the legislative process. This week, and for the first time this year, we passed several bills on the House Floor making progress on a range of priorities. While this week was certainly our busiest yet, we recognize that the pace will only continue to speed up as we move closer to Crossover Day. With Crossover Day, Legislative Day 28, quickly approaching, it’s a critical time for bills and resolutions to clear their respective chambers and progress through the legislative process.

The House unanimously passed House Bill 61 this week, which builds on the foundation of a similar bill from last year, House Bill 804. It was introduced during the 2024 legislative session but did not receive final passage. HB 61 would update current law to allow for separate license plates for ambulances and hearses, with an annual $20 license fee for motor-driven ambulances. HB 61 would also require the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinct license plates for these two types of vehicles—one labeled “Ambulance” and the other “Hearse.” Currently, both vehicles share the same license plate reading “Hearse/Ambulance,” a carryover from the time when hearses were also used to transport patients to hospitals. However, as ambulances and hearses now serve separate and distinct purposes, this legislation would clarify their respective roles.

Also, this week, we took an important step in enhancing the safety of our state’s judges and their families—a priority recently highlighted by Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs during his annual State of the Judiciary Address—by unanimously passing House Bill 199. The protections for our justices, judges and their spouse are crucial as they play an essential role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice in our state. HB 199 would require all state and local government entities to remove or redact any publicly available content that specifically identifies an individual as a judge, justice, or judicial spouse. By addressing the need for security and privacy, HB 199 would ensure that the personal information of those serving in the judiciary remains protected. The bill would also mandate that if any publicly available content includes personally identifiable information that does not specifically identify someone as a judge, justice, or spouse, it may be removed upon request by the protected person. This legislation is especially important as we have seen an alarming rise in swatting incidents aimed at elected officials and judges.

On Wednesday, we continued the work initiated by the late State Representative and former House Rules Chairman, Richard H. Smith, through the passage of House Bill 216, the Richard H. Smith Georgia CHIPS Advancement in Research and Economic Development Act, which would continue his vision of making Georgia a key player in the semiconductor industry. To that end, HB 216 creates a fund to provide grant and loan programs that support workforce education and training for careers in semiconductors, microelectronics and some laboratories. The goal of this legislation is to build strong partnerships through education and workforce development, enabling Georgia’s residents to pursue high-demand careers in the semiconductor industry, cultivating a skilled, homegrown workforce. It will reduce reliance on overseas production and strengthening Georgia’s position as a leader in innovation and economic growth. The bill received overwhelming support in the House and now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Keeping on the theme of promoting workforce development through education, House Bill 81 also received passage in the House this week. Developed by the Council of State Governments, the Department of Defense and the National School Psychologists Association, HB 81 creates the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, which would establish a pathway for school psychologists to obtain equivalent licenses in member states to improve the availability of school psychological services. Currently, barriers to licensure can cause significant shortages of qualified school psychologists, which can lead to students not receiving the quality of services necessary for their academic and emotional well-being. This legislation would enable school psychologists who qualify for an equivalent license to practice in other member states without duplicating licensing requirements. Additionally, HB 81 also seeks to facilitate the relocation of military members and their spouses who are licensed to provide school psychological services, as we know those individuals and their families are often relocated to different states. School psychologists play a crucial role in supporting students’ mental health, addressing behavioral concerns and providing academic interventions, all of which are essential for a student’s success. By reducing these licensure barriers, HB 81 addresses the critical shortage of qualified school psychologists and improves the quality of care and support for students.

Advancing our promise to families of fallen Georgia educators, the House unanimously passed House Bill 105, increases the financial compensation, in the event of the death of state public school personnel. Consistent with one of Governor Kemp’s priorities, HB 105 raises the financial compensation for teachers from $75,000 to $150,000, bringing the benefit in line with public safety officers. The payment would be made to the estate of the eligible person and given in installments of equal payments over the course of five years or in a lump sum. Only immediate family members would be eligible to receive these funds, and if there is no spouse or family, the indemnity would not be paid. While we know that no amount of money could ever bring a loved one back, by increasing the funds, immediate family members would be guaranteed better financial security following such a devastating loss.
We also passed the following House bills and resolutions during the fifth week of session:
• House Bill 15 revises Georgia’s banking law by modifying filing requirements to require counties of residence instead of addresses for incorporators, directors and subscribers of financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, and would alter credit union subscriber requirements by establishing procedures for applying for a certificate of incorporation. The bill would also update provisions related to the credit union application review process, mortgage lending services and practices and criminal history checks;

• House Bill 36, revises Georgia guardianship law by adding physician assistants, nurses, therapists and counselors to the types of approved professionals authorized to participate in appointments of guardians or conservators, as well as those who evaluate the state of a ward or proposed ward. Additionally, definitions for gross settlement would be provided with respect to applicable financial arrangements;

• House Bill 55, increases the number of superior court judges in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit from two to three. The third judge would be appointed for a term beginning January 1, 2026, continuing through December 31, 2028. Their successor would be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election in 2028;

• House Bill 74, amends the general powers of the Georgia Lottery Corporation and make the promulgation of licenses, rules and regulations concerning coin operated amusement machines (COAMs) and administrative hearings concerning COAMs subject to the Administrative Procedure Act;

• House Bill 114, addresses federal regulations for safe operations for drivers and vehicles transporting hazardous materials, changing the effective date from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025;

• House Bill 137, increases the contract value amount from $100,000 or less to $250,000 or less for certain contracts that are exempt from specified contracting and bidding requirements;

• House Resolution 97, which is a conveyance resolution for properties in 13 counties and would amend or transfer specific state-owned properties within those counties;

• House Resolution 98, authorizes the State of Georgia, acting through the State Properties Commission, to grant easements over certain state-owned properties in 12 counties.

In addition to passing legislation this week, we also had the privilege of honoring several outstanding groups whose dedication and hard work continue to leave a lasting impact on our great state. On Monday, we paid tribute the members of the Georgia Electric Membership Cooperatives with a Resolution on the House Floor. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, these dedicated individuals worked tirelessly to restore power to hard-hit communities, showcasing both their steadfast commitment to their neighbors and the resilience of our state. Thank you to our own local Grady EMC.

On Tuesday, we celebrated Georgia’s rich agricultural history by recognizing our tree farmers – not only for their vital contributions to our state’s agriculture industry but also for their essential role in clearing storm debris and aiding in recovery efforts. Additionally, we commended the Georgia Farm Bureau, led by former State Representative Tom McCall, for its steadfast advocacy and support of our state’s largest industry: agriculture. Also at the capitol was Dr. Malone Harrell, representing our Young Farmers. We spent time discussing how our farmers are doing and the many difficulties they are facing. Thank you for coming to the Capitol and sharing.

Then on Wednesday, we turned our attention to higher education, commemorating the 158th anniversary of Morehouse College, a beacon of commitment to Georgia’s students for decades. We honored Morehouse President, Dr. David A. Thomas, for his leadership and successes as he prepares to retire as Morehouse’s president. It’s an honor to have these incredible organizations and individuals in the House, and we are grateful for their contributions to Georgia.

As busy as we were in committee meetings and in full session in the chamber this week, we were able to spend time with several people from home. We were honored to have several students from Thomas County Central serve as pages. They were Roan Adams, Riley Ambrose, Braeden Barlow, Nicholas Connell, Dev Patel, Hedi Patel and Andre Williams. They did a great job and made us proud. Also, at the Capitol this week, was Alicia Hester. The state tax commissioners were on hand for meetings.

We also recently honored Okefenokee Day at the Capitol. Along with the many folks that came to support the “Swamp” was our own Halle McCollum who is a member of the Okefenokee Swamp Park Board. Thank you, Halle for serving. The Okefenokee Swamp is Georgia’s greatest Treasure. It is the largest blackwater swamp in North America and one of the most important freshwater wetland ecosystems in the world. It was recently nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

This was also a busy week with many healthcare groups at the Capitol. Including several physicians; Dr. Kristopher Palmer, Dr. Raul Santos and Dr. Clay Sizemore from John D. Archbold Medical Center. Also, representative from Archbold Medical Center was Savannah McGowan. They spent time visiting with legislators and discussing how to improve healthcare in our area. It was also great to run into former Thomasville resident and physician, Dr. Sandra Reed.

The Georgia House of Representatives will reconvene at the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 18th, after the observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 17th. As the legislative session progresses, we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the work being done at the State Capitol. With Rules Committee meetings picking up as well, we will continue to see more bills come up for votes on the House Floor. You can track the status of legislation and votes on the official Georgia General Assembly website. Your input is always valued, so please feel free to schedule a call or visit to discuss the issues that matter most to you and your family.

Feel free to schedule a call or visit to discuss the issues that are most important to you and your family. Please know that I can be can be reached at my office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246. Please contact the District office in Thomasville for any constituent matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

February102025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 4

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

Your Georgia House of Representatives reconvened on Monday, February 3rd for the fourth week of the 2025 legislative session. Monday was Legislative Day 10; we are now more than a quarter of the way through our 40-day session. This week, our efforts were focused on fulfilling our constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget. To that end, the House Rules Committee convened for the first time this year and set the first Rules calendar of the session. The Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2025 budget, House Bill 67. It outlines the state’s spending through June 30, 2025.

The House’s version of the AFY 2025 budget is based on the Governor’s revised estimate of $40.5 billion. It including $2.7 billion in surplus funds for a total infusion of $4.4 billion, which is an increase of 12.2% over the original Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget. This increase in revenue is the result of Georgia strong economy and leadership’s careful spending. The House version of the budget emphasizes strengthening Georgia’s economy while prioritizing early education, healthcare, higher education and public safety. One of the most critical areas addressed in the House’s version of the amended budget is the urgent need to provide relief for Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene. Because of the widespread devastation caused by the storm, it is essential that we continue to direct needed resources for recovery efforts to those who were affected. Both your representatives are proud members of the Appropriation Committee and worked work diligently to use these funds wisely. Our state’s economy is strong and these funds will be used to help Georgians all across the State.

We have all seen the severe damage across our great state, the House worked tirelessly to help communities recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene. As such, the state allocated immediate funding to hard-hit areas of South and Central Georgia, and the House’s version of the amended budget targets populations and areas that are still in need of help. In line with Governor Brian Kemp’s recommendations, the House’s version also recommends $145 million be added to the Governor’s Emergency Fund in order to continue funding our state’s emergency response efforts to the storms. The House’s version of this budget redirects $98 million lost from the financial impact of the motor fuel tax suspension following Hurricane Helene. These funds will go into the Capital Construction program to ensure that the Georgia Department of Transportation can continue to meet Georgia’s transportation needs. In addition, the House’s version of the AFY 2025 budget recommends $200 million be allocated to routine maintenance for response efforts related to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby and flooding that took place in November 2024. The House’s version of the AFY 2025 budget also includes $100 million in previously authorized funds through the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission for relief efforts, along with an additional $150 million to support disaster relief for farmers and timber producers affected by Hurricane Helene.

The House’s version of the amended budget directs $50 million for the Department of Administrative Services’ property risk pool to repair state property damaged in Helene’s wake. The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene was vast, with countless homes, businesses and infrastructure left in ruins. Many Georgia families are still struggling to rebuild their lives and property after the storm’s destruction, making this funding essential for supporting recovery efforts and restoring state assets. In support of fire and environmental safety efforts, HB 67 would also direct $15.7 million to the Georgia Forestry Commission to fund the use of firefighting helicopters and environmental cab tractors.

Following the storms, rural Georgians are facing barriers to accessing quality healthcare and challenges in receiving timely medical care. To resolve this concern, the House’s version of the AFY 2025 budget provides $35.6 million in one-time stabilization grants to support Georgia’s rural hospitals in their recovery efforts. Moreover, the House’s version of the amended budget includes funds for a salary enhancement for federal eligibility caseworkers, recognizing their hard work and dedication to assisting natural disaster victims. These caseworkers play a vital role in helping Georgians navigate the complex process of securing disaster relief. In the original FY 2025 budget, passed last session, other caseworkers received similar salary increases, underscoring Georgia’s commitment to providing continued support to those who serve our communities in times of crisis. Additionally, the House’s version of the AFY 2025 budget includes $10 million in grant funds specifically allocated for relief from Hurricane Helene, further reinforcing the state’s commitment to aiding in the recovery of those impacted by the storm.

As we move forward in rebuilding our communities, it is crucial that we also ensure our economy is equipped with the necessary tools to maintain Georgia’s status as the number one state to do business. In line with our commitment to supporting rural communities, HB 67 would allocate $28 million to rural workforce housing through grants and loans. This funding aims to boost rural workforce development by increasing housing availability in these areas. Additionally, the House’s version of the amended budget recommends $20 million in grants for rural site development, which would support local economic growth and help communities create development-ready sites.

We and our colleagues remain committed to school security, and the House’s version of the AFY 2025 budget includes $50 million for school security grants, which would provide $21,635 per school for one-time security expenses. When combined with the $109 million in base funding, school systems would receive a total of $68,759 per school in FY 2025. Additionally, $3 million is allocated to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to establish funds for a school risk assessment system, with the objective of safeguarding all of Georgia’s students. Under HB 67, the House proposes $7.42 million in new lottery funds for the Department of Early Care and Learning to implement recommendations from the House Early Childhood Education Working Group. These recommendations include raising pay for Pre-K lead teachers and assistant teachers to align lead teacher salaries to the State Board of Education schedule and strengthening the Pre-K workforce. Additionally, the House’s version of the amended budget would allocate $160,000 in one-time funding to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement to establish a Regional Crisis Recovery Network in partnership with the Southern Regional Education Board. This network would train counselors and deploy them to provide psychological first aid to students following traumatic events, such as natural disasters or school shootings.

In addition to prioritizing access to healthcare in Georgia’s rural communities, the amended budget is also focused on improving healthcare access across the entire state, ensuring that all Georgia communities have the care they need. One way the House is prioritizing this goal is by recommending one-time funding for Mercer School of Medicine, aimed at expanding learning opportunities and training physicians to practice in rural, underserved communities where healthcare needs are most critical. Additionally, the House proposes similar funding for Morehouse School of Medicine, which would support faculty recruitment and retention, modernize the medical curriculum and expand the pathway and career academy program. Additionally, the budget recommends $2 million be allocated to the HOPE Grant program, which would support increased usage and expanded eligibility, as well as an additional $6 million for HOPE Scholarships, bringing the total appropriation to $852 million, which would benefit more than 300,000 students across the state.

The House’s version of the amended budget also focuses on providing funding increases for several state departments, including the Georgia Department of Human Services which, would receive additional funds to address the growth in foster care and the rising costs associated with that care. Additionally, the House recommends $1.7 million to fund a special victim’s unit within the department, which would be focused on rescuing foster youth from sexual exploitation. The House’s version of the budget also allocates $1 million to the Georgia Department of Veterans Services to open a sub-acute unit for veterans with severe mental illness and brain injuries, along with $1.5 million to cover rising healthcare costs at veterans nursing homes.

The House is also dedicated to addressing the critical needs within Georgia’s corrections system, including correctional officers, staff and inmates, which is a top priority this legislative session. therefore, the House’s budget recommends an infusion of $333.6 million for the Georgia Department of Corrections, including funds earmarked for safety, security and technology upgrades, with $35 million allocated specifically for security technology to combat contraband. Additionally, the House recommends directing $50.6 million for inmate healthcare services and funds for the creation of a state-owned electronic healthcare records system. Also, funds are allocated for new body cameras and tasers to enhance the safety of both officers and inmates, and $7.2 million would be set aside for the Over Watch Logistics Unit to provide continuous surveillance and response coordination.

HB 67 now heads to the Senate for consideration. It will now undergo a similar review process in their chamber. Once the Senate has reviewed the House’s version, they may propose changes, and if that happens, the Senate’s version of the amended budget will return to the House for further review. If the two chambers cannot reach an agreement, a conference committee will be appointed to resolve any differences between the two versions. It is essential that our colleagues in both chambers work together to advance this bill, ensuring we move quickly to bring this much-needed funding to the people who need it most. Once both chambers can reach an agreement, the final version of the amended budget will be sent to the governor for signature. This same process will be followed for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget. We have already begun the process of meeting with the those who have needs that can be considered in next year’s budget.

Beyond the amended budget, we took time to address other legislative initiatives, such as school safety. In response to the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County on September 4, 2024, the Speaker of the House unveiled a new school safety plan earlier this week. The plan, in House Bill 268, includes the establishment of a statewide School and Student Safety Database designed to consolidate student data in order to identify potential security risks. It would also require each school district to establish risk management teams, consisting of administrators, mental health professionals and law enforcement. To further enhance safety, the plan would mandate the use of an anonymous reporting app, allowing students and staff to report concerns confidentially. The plan would also allocate funds in one-time school safety grants to support these initiatives and provide additional funding for the development of the new database. To address mental health, the plan would create mental health coordinator positions in schools and require instruction in violence prevention and suicide awareness. The plan also encourages responsible gun ownership through voluntary tax incentives for safe storage equipment. We will update you as this legislation makes its way through the legislative process.

Aside from our legislative work, the House took time to recognize and commend individuals and groups who have contributed to the prosperity, safety and well-being of Georgia’s communities. On Tuesday, we honored firefighters from across the state during the 53rd Firefighters Recognition Day at the State Capitol, including members from the Cities of Gainesville, South Fulton, Thomasville and St. Mary’s Fire Departments. On Thursday, we celebrated Georgia National Guard Day by presenting a resolution honoring the dedication and sacrifice of the National Guard’s members. We also recognized the 50th anniversary of Morehouse School of Medicine, presenting a resolution for the school’s outstanding contributions to the entire state. Additionally, we had visitor from South Georgia at the Capital this week. Many of South Georgia’s rural hospitals, including Colquitt Regional Medical Center were on hand to discuss the many needs they face in the Healthcare arena. We spent time with folks from Second harvest and reviewed the services they provide throughout South Georgia. We also had time to speak with Tom Everett from the Thomasville YMCA. Finally, Thursday was Okefenokee Day and many concerned citizens were on hand to share their thoughts. They even had two “baby” allegators to show and share with the public. Thanks to all that came to spend time with us this week.

We will continue our legislative work on Monday, February 10th as we begin our fifth week of session. With Crossover Day quickly approaching, we’re gearing up for a busy period ahead, where bills and resolutions must pass out of their respective chambers. As always, we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns about the work being done at the Capitol. Feel free to schedule a call or visit to discuss the issues that are most important to you and your family. Please know that I can be can be reached as follows: Rep. Darlene Taylor may be reached at her office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246. Please contact the District office in Thomasville for any constituent matters regarding state agency issues at 225-9943 Ext. 215 and gahouseseat173@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

February52025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 3

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

This was return to work week at the Gold Dome. Members of the Georgia House of Representatives returned to the State Capitol following the major winter storm that impacted much of our state, but especially us in South Georgia. This is the week we traditionally hear the State of the Judiciary from the Chief of the Georgia Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs, addressed a joint session of the House and Senate in the House Chamber on Tuesday. He stressed the rise in public confidence in state courts, noting that more than half of Americans now give positive ratings to their state judicial systems. This statistic is encouraging as more than 95% of all court cases nationwide are handled in state courts. He also highlighted that Georgia courts are proactively examining the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on our legal system and have formed a committee to assess their findings and discover what challenges or opportunities could come from the use of AI in the judicial system.

The Judicial Council’s Standing Committee on Court Reporting Matters has met with stakeholders to discuss this ongoing issue. This year, he noted that the Judicial Council is prepared to submit a balanced proposal that would allow trial judges the option to have some court proceedings be recorded by a digital system, thus reducing the amount of time spent retrieving necessary records. When court proceedings are prolonged, victims are often subject to delays in receiving justice, and this proposal would help victims obtain closure in a timely manner. Next, he outlined the issue of legal deserts and the harm they pose to citizens in our state. Currently, there are seven rural counties in Georgia that do not possess a single licensed attorney, affecting justice for Georgians experiencing pressing legal issues such as divorce, eviction or adoption. In response, Chief Justice Boggs created the Supreme Court Study Committee on Legal Regulatory Reform, which will explore ways to help civil legal services for rural or low-income Georgians.

Chief Justice Boggs went on to emphasize the positive work being done to improve outcomes for veterans in our state’s criminal justice system, highlighting the work of Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court programs, which have worked tirelessly to decrease recidivism rates for incarcerated veterans through a program designed to address post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental health issues. He emphasized that Georgia’s courts remain stronger than ever, despite facing challenges to their mission.

The chief justice also reported that in recent years, attacks and threats targeting Georgia’s courts, including those aimed at judges, have been on the rise. He highlighted a statistic from the United States Marshals Service, which revealed that threats against federal judges have nearly tripled over the past decade. In response to this escalating trend, Chief Justice Boggs proposed a series of upgrades to physical security measures, to not only effectively managed but also prevented these incidents. Lastly, the chief justice restated his appreciation for the legislature’s cooperation and support in enhancing the protection of Georgia’s judicial system, particularly by improving judicial compensation.

In addition to hearing the State of the Judiciary this week, the speed of our legislative work certainly picked up as the House Appropriations Subcommittees continued meeting this week to review the sections of the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2025 budget. Each subcommittee carefully reviews and examines their specific section of Governor Kemp’s budget proposals, eventually passing sections of the budgets from their respective subcommittees. Each budget section will then be presented to the full House Appropriations Committee, where members will collaborate to form one unified budget before the budget bill moves on to the House Rules Committee for further consideration and scheduling of a full vote on the House floor.

In addition, several full House committees have started meeting to discuss various bills assigned to them based on policy area. Once a bill passes out of its respective committee, it moves to the Rules Committee before being added to the House calendar for a vote by the whole House. After passing the House, the bill follows a similar process in the Senate, where it may be amended. If there are changes or differences between the House and Senate versions, a conference committee is appointed to resolve them, and the final version then returns to each chamber for a final vote. If approved, it is sent to Gov. Kemp for either his signature or veto. This is the process we follow for all legislation, including the AFY 2025 and FY 2026 budgets.

Early in the week, we began with a moment of reflection and remembrance, honoring the millions of innocent lives lost during the Holocaust. Through House Resolution 50, which designates January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the House reaffirmed our commitment that such atrocities are always remember and never forgotten. Monday also marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau, which served as a reminder of the resilience of humanity. We must never forget.

Also, this week, we and our colleagues gathered in the House Chamber for a special event for the unveiling of former Dean of the House Calvin Smyre’s official portrait at the Georgia State Capitol, celebrating his remarkable 48-year career in the Georgia House of Representatives. Smyre, the longest-serving member in the state’s history. The ceremony was attended by former Georgia governors, lieutenant governors, a United States congressman, friends, family and colleagues—many of whom spoke of Dean Smyre’s contributions to Georgia’s political landscape. Dean Smyre’s legacy will now be immortalized at the State Capitol for future generations to admire.

We also took time to celebrate Lunar New Year at the Capitol, a significant Asian cultural holiday. Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar. The celebration included a lion dance, was organized by the Georgia Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. During the celebration, several House Resolutions were presented to members of the community to honor and recognize their accomplishments. Among those recognized was the first Indian female Olympian to win gold in track and field in 1954. The Chinese-American Business Association of Atlanta was also celebrated on their 32^nd anniversary of serving the Atlanta area.

This week we were able to hear from folks all across the state about there concerns for mental health. We set aside the day known as Mental Health Day and were able to hear and discuss specific issues of importance to them. It is always good to share time with those who come to advocate and this week we welcomed Joy Dickerson and were able to meet with her. Many thanks to her for coming and bringing her thoughts and concerns, Thank you Joy.

Many of us were also on hand as Governor Kemp shared his ideas on Tort Reform. This is a very important issue to all Georgians. It affects all of us. On hand to support the Governor was Tommie Patel and his son Suggar. Our standing as the “Number One State to do Business” may be at stake if we do not address this issue. We will share more information about Tort reform in the coming weeks.

Finally, to end our week, we stood for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the tragic mid-air collision that took place at Reagan Washington National Airport, and, among the victims were two individuals with ties to Georgia. Sam Lilley, the first officer aboard Flight 5342, was a graduate of Richmond Hill High School in Bryan County and Georgia Southern University. Ryan O’Hara, a 2014 graduate of Parkview High School in Lilburn, was serving as a Blackhawk helicopter Crew Chief. The House mourns this profound loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their families.

We will return to the State Capitol on Monday, February 3^rd for our fourth week of session. We and our colleagues will continue to consider legislation that best serves Georgians, and we will be sure to update you about our legislative work. As we continue through the session, we hope that you will reach out with your questions or concerns regarding legislation and the issues that are important to you and your family. You are welcome to schedule a phone call or plan a visit to the State Capitol to discuss matters that are important to you and our community. Your legislators can be reached as follows: Rep. Chas Cannon: office is 501-C Coverdell Legislative Office or by email at chas.cannon@house.ga.gov or by phone at: (404) 656-0177. Rep. Darlene Taylor may be reached at her office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246.

We recognize the honor you have given us and, we thank you for allowing us to serve as your state representatives.

January272025

Georgia Legislative Update – Week 2

dktaylor-d4gUpdates

This week the Georgia General Assemble did not meet in full session. Monday was the day we celebrate and honor the life and work of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. As a National Holiday, numerous events across the state are planned and many of the members of the General Assembly were able to attend these services. This year because of the inauguration of the 47th President, Donald Trump, there were even more events to celebrate. In addition, Monday night was the final College Football Championship Game, played at Mercedes Bentz Stadium. We welcomed many visitors in Atlanta for all the festivities. However, one we also received a frosty visit in the form of an “Artic Blast” and it disrupted our traditional schedule.

The, the second week is commonly known as “budget week.” It is when we customarily conduct joint hearings with the House and Senate Appropriations committees, where the governor, state leaders and agency experts present their budget recommendations to the joint committee. However, Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency on Monday in anticipation of winter storms across the state. Despite the weather setback, Gov. Kemp released his official budget report to the joint committee, and legislators and staff continued working remotely to ensure the budget process remains on time.

Passing a balanced budget is our one constitutional obligation, and each year, budget week serves as the opportunity to begin the process for the state’s financial planning, covering both the remainder of the current fiscal year [Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2025] and the upcoming one [Fiscal Year (FY) 2026]. Below are some of the highlights. These recommendations will eventually be transformed into legislation that will determine how the state allocates its revenue for AFY 2025 and FY 2026.

In his budget proposals, Gov. Kemp made it clear, his top priority is providing relief for those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. As such, the governor is proposing more than $614 million in the AFY 2025 budget to support recovery efforts across the state. This includes more than $600 million allocated to a range of recovery initiatives, such as debris cleanup and road repairs, funds for agriculture and timber relief, and funds to maintain the state’s property insurance risk pool for repairing state facilities, and resources for FEMA-related expenses.

Gov. Kemp’s proposals also highlight Georgia’s recent economic performance, emphasizing the state’s continued position as the number one state for business for 11 consecutive years. The governor credits this achievement to the state’s fiscal management, which has allowed Georgia to return more than $7.6 billion in tax relief to citizens through property tax cuts, motor fuel tax reductions and income tax rebates. To build on this accomplishment, the governor’s budget proposals include a one-time tax rebate of $1 billion for the 2024 tax year, along with a phased income tax cut that would reduce the rate from 5.75 percent to 4.99 percent. In his report, the governor proposes an additional reduction in tax rates to 5.19 percent by 2025. With these measures, Georgia taxpayers could benefit from more than $9.7 billion in cumulative savings since 2021.

In addition to tax relief, the Governor’s proposals emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy Revenue Shortfall Reserve. The governor also places a strong emphasis on supporting water and transportation infrastructure, as his proposals suggest $1.6 billion be set aside for development in these areas. This would include funds for capital construction, and freight infrastructure through the Georgia Department of Transportation. The governor’s budget proposals also suggest a boost in funding for local communities, recommending $1.1 billion be added in the AFY 2025 budget for economic development initiatives. This would include extra funds for local road assistance grants, which would more than double the annual investment in local transportation.

In addition, his budget proposals include $250 million in increased funding for the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to support water infrastructure projects, as well as $501.7 million for coastal water investments aimed at fostering long-term growth in Georgia’s coastal communities. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, this funding would help rebuild water infrastructure and support projects along our state’s resilient shores.

In line with his infrastructure priorities, Gov. Kemp’s budget proposals recommend an additional $60 million for the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, which would provide low-interest loans and grants to support local transportation improvements. His budget proposals also call for an additional $48 million for the OneGeorgia Authority, which would continue support for rural workforce housing and site development programs. These initiatives have already facilitated 22 projects and are expected to generate up to 1,607 new housing units.

Additionally, the governor’s budget focus on meeting the needs of Georgia’s education system. His budget proposals include more than $1 billion combined in new investments across all levels of education, from Pre-K through higher education, which would fully fund Georgia’s education sector. Specifically, Gov. Kemp’s budget proposals include $174 million for the State Health Benefit Plan and $115 million for the Teachers Retirement System to cover the employer share of healthcare and retirement benefits.

An issue of importance to all Georgians is healthcare which remains a top priority in the budget recommendations. The proposal includes $324 million to support growth in Medicaid enrollment and utilization, with $36 million earmarked to cover pharmacy benefits for treatments such as gene therapies for sickle cell disease. Additionally, the governor’s plan calls for $150 million to increase funding of medical schools, aiming to strengthen Georgia’s healthcare workforce and advance medical research. By investing in our medical schools and healthcare institutions, we can enhance the quality of care for Georgians while building a stronger, more capable healthcare workforce.

Public safety and corrections are also priorities in Gov. Kemp’s budget proposals. It address’ the challenges facing Georgia’s correctional system in the wake of the pandemic, including rising healthcare and staffing costs. In response, the governor’s budget proposals recommend a historic $603 million for the Georgia Department of Corrections to recruit and retain staff, improve facility security and address the physical and mental health needs of inmates. To maintain the well-being of both those who serve in our correctional facilities and the public.

It was unfortunate that the unusually cold and snowy weather, across the entire state caused the scheduled, live meetings to be postponed. We will be doubling down over the next week to complete these important hearings. Our schedules are full with these hearings and other meetings but it will allow us to meet our deadline.

As we all know South Georgia was included in the Great Snow Adventure. While we enjoyed the beauty of the white fluffy stuff, after a day or two, we were mostly shut in and were not able to venture out due to the curfews. The winners were the kids (old and young) that played in the snow, built snowmen and made memories of this historic snow event. It would only be appropriate to thank all of our state and local first responders and frontline workers for their dedication and service during this weather emergency.

While your legislators did find time to continue state business via zoom and on the telephone. We had discussions with several citizens concerning a number of issues, including the FLOST, the Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption. It was created to provide local governments with another tool to provide property tax relief to its citizens. Our citizens are facing high cost-of-living and have been calling for meaningful relief, so that is exactly what we did. This is a sound law that creates opportunity for tax relief, creates predictability for homeowners, all while preserving local control.

We can share that HB 581 was passed in direct response to the outcry we heard from all corners of the state, Georgians needed relief from inflation and skyrocketing assessments and property taxes. Working with Association of County Commissioners and the Georgia Municipal Association, and numerous stakeholders, legislation was crafted to provide meaningful tax relief. Ultimately, after two days of public ad committee hearings, in the House and Senate, the bill passed. In the November election he Citizens of Georgia passed the referendum by over 60% statewide. We are optimist that all the citizens of South Georgia will benefit from this.

We will return to the Gold Dome Monday January 27,2025 and continue with our meetings and other state business. You can contact me with any questions and concerns you may have as this legislative session progresses. Rep. Darlene Taylor may be reached at her office in the Capital Building 245-B or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2246. For constituent services regarding state agency related matters, please contact the District office at the local number which is 225-9943 ext. 215 or email gahouseseat173@gmail.com

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative for Thomas and Grady counties, this legislative term.