Georgia Legislative Update – Week 5
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.