Gold Dome Report - Legislative Day 33 - March 2025

The Georgia House of Representatives achieved the trifecta on Thursday, combining three favorite legislative traditions in one moment on the floor: recognition of a local novelty with an invite resolution, the appearance of a large, plush mascot alongside men and women in business suits, and a tribute to roadside delights like beef jerky and praline fudge. That’s right, it was Buc-ee’s Day at the State Capitol, and Buc-ee the Beaver himself was warmly welcomed to the House rostrum by Speaker Jon Burns. It was a fitting symbol of the dam breaking in committee rooms across Capitol Hill over the last several days as bills flood towards the House and Senate floors ahead of adjournment Sine Die in just two weeks.

Buc-ee wasn’t the only excitement in the House on Thursday. SB 68, Governor Brian Kemp’s tort reform package, finally made its appearance on the floor to continue the drama. And dramatic it was, the bill passing by a one-vote margin (91-82) after passionate debate on both sides of the aisle. Proponents quickly moved for immediate transmittal back to the Senate, which must now sign off on changes made in the House, perhaps as soon as Friday. Read on for the other floor and committee action over the last two days in this #GoldDomeReport.

In this Report:

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

Floor Action

The House took up the following measures on Legislative Day 33:

• SB 68 - Civil Practice; substantive and comprehensive revision of provisions regarding civil practice, evidentiary matters, damages, and liability in tort actions; provide (Substitute)(Rules-Burchett-176th) Kennedy-18th - PASSED 91-82
• SB 153 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise, modernize, correct errors or omissions in, and reenact the statutory portion of said Code (Substitute)(CR-Yearta-152nd) Hatchett-50th - PASSED 169-0
• SB 252 - Real and Personal Property; conveyance of municipal property interests to independent school systems; provide (Substitute)(IGC-Holland-54th) Halpern-39th - PASSED 169-0

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 33:

• HB 55 - Alapaha Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for an additional judge (Substitute) (JUDY-8th) Ford-170th - PASSED 51-1
• HB 111 - Income tax; reduce rate of tax (FIN-50th) Hong-103rd - PASSED 30-23
• HB 112 - Income tax; one-time tax credit for taxpayers who filed returns for both 2023 and 2024 taxable years; provide (FIN-49th) McDonald III-26th - PASSED 52-0
• HB 161 - Georgia Bureau of Investigation; authority to issue subpoenas of electronic communication records for purposes of investigating certain cyber enabled threats to life and property; provide (Substitute) (JUDY-56th) Crowe-118th - PASSED 48-4
• HB 406 - Judicial Retirement System; increase retirement age of superior court judges first taking office on or after July 1, 2026 (JUDY-50th) Leverett-123rd - PASSED 53-0
• HB 423 - Emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system; Next Generation 9-1-1 systems and services; provide (PUB SAF-56th) Wade-9th - PASSED 53-0
• HB 584 - Health; reassign licensing and oversight of certain treatments and programs from Departments of Community Health to Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (Substitute) (H&HS-50th) Petrea-166th - PASSED 52-0
• HB 614 - Local government; prohibit use or ignition of consumer fireworks in proximity to certain facilities housing equines; authorize (Substitute) (SLGO(G)-21st) Jones47th - PASSED 50-1
• HR 42 - General Assembly; motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes; ratify Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Orders (FIN-49th) Gambill-15th - ADOPTED 53-1
• SB 331 - City of Winder and the County of Barrow; creating and establishing a joint airport authority; repeal - PASSED 54-0

Committee Notes

House Health Committee

Chairman Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) and the House Health Committee undertook the following measures Wednesday morning:

• SB 72, authored by Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan), is the “Hope for Georgia Patients Act,” in Chapter 52 of Title 31. This allows individuals with severely debilitating or life-threatening illnesses the right to try investigational drugs, biological products, and devices. The physician would have to make a recommendation and document in writing that the individual has a life-threatening or severely debilitating illness and that in consultation with the physician considered all types of treatments currently approved by the FDA and has been given a recommendation for an individualized investigational treatment based on analysis of enumerated patient’s characteristics. The patient also must provide written consent for the use of such investigational drug, biological product, and/or device. The legislation received support from the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition as well as advocates for patients. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the House Rules Committee. Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) will carry the measure in the House.
• SB 91, authored by Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), seeks to add a new Code section at O.C.G.A. 45-18-6.2 to prohibit the Board of the Department of Community Health from entering into, executing, or renewing any contract(s) to provide benefits under the plan of health insurance benefits with any pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) that owns or has an ownership interest in any retail pharmacy or any legal entity that contracts with or uses such pharmacy benefits manager. Senator Tillery wants to cease this vertical integration practice in the state because these pharmacy benefits managers are setting costs with prejudice. The practice is harming the state’s independent pharmacies. Representative Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) asked if the measure only addressed the State Health Benefit Plan; yes. Senator Tillery indicated that his measure was taking a cannonball approach to the problem rather than using a scalpel. Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta) liked his use of the cannonball metaphor but noted that the practice of “steering” had already been addressed in Georgia. Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) noted her appreciation for the legislation as she has an independent pharmacy near her home. Representative Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge) reminded the committee that he had offered a similar bill but his legislation sought to require the pharmacy benefit managers to provide a report on rebates for medications.

Dean Burke, MD, chief medical officer for the Department of Community Health, testified about the legislation noting that it would knock out the top three PBMs and those left for the state to contract with would be smaller and more costly. He reminded the committee that the State Health Benefit Plan is one of the largest plans on the East Coast with the number of lives covered. The top three PBMs are CVS, Express Scripts, and Optum. There were questions regarding when the state’s current contract would expire; Dr. Burke noted that the department had extended the contract because of the pendency of the legislation. The current contract expires on December 31, 2025. The extension put in place on this contract allows it to remain until December 31, 2026. The PBMs negotiate directly with the pharmacies. Knocking out the top three contenders from the bidding process would likely increase drug costs by $100 million and those costs would be passed on to the enrollees. No action was taken on this proposal at this meeting.

• SB 130, by Senator Mike Hodges (R-Saint Simons), expands funding for medical education and the service cancelable loan program to encourage additional health professionals who may take advantage of the loan cancellation provisions if they work in rural areas. The committee voted DO PASS.
• SB 140, also authored by Senator Brass, seeks to address optometrist’s scope of practice in Chapter 30 of Title 43. It allows that a doctor of optometry may dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents, other than controlled substances, that are related to the treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye and adnexa oculi and are for legitimate medical purposes to patients as long as the optometrist meets certain conditions. Aubrey Villines, counsel to the Georgia Optometric Association, spoke to the proposal and outlined changes made for the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency. The optometrist must follow the same reporting requirements imposed by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. This measure is to help rural patients who need more access to these medications — many of which are not carried by local pharmacies. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation to the substitute, moving the bill forward to the House Rules Committee. Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) will carry the legislation forward in the House.
• SB 195, authored by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), amends portions of Titles 26 and 43. It clarifies that pharmacists are authorized to dispense preexposure and post-exposure prophylaxis HIV medications. It also requires that the pharmacist complete training for such dispensing and administering. Senator Hufstetler, also a healthcare practitioner, noted the advantages of these medications and how Atlanta, in particular, has seen an increase in the rise of HIV infections. The small costs of these medications (perhaps less than $25) versus the high annual treatment costs ($30,000-$70,000 annually) make this make sense. The committee gave the legislation a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the House Rules Committee. Representative Mark Newton will carry the measure in the House.

House Judiciary Juvenile Committee

Chairman Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) and members of the Judiciary Juvenile Committee took up one piece of legislation:

• SB 259, authored by Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan), is known as Ridge’s Law. Senator Brass explained that the background on the bill was because of issues brought to him by a constituent. The constituent’s family had been accused of child abuse charges after taking their baby to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. While the baby had issues from birth, there was no examination of prior medical records by the physician. The child was taken from the parents for 15 months — the parents were not provided an opportunity to seek a second opinion on the physician’s findings. The Department of Human Services has worked with Senator Brass on the legislation and the process of what occurs when a child is taken into temporary custody. The legislation outlines that the parent(s) possess the right to obtain an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialty consultation. It also requires that physicians and medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and DFCS cooperate as “may be reasonably necessary” to facilitate an independent medical evaluation or pediatric medical specialty consultation for the child. At any hearing concerning the child before the court in a dependency proceeding, the court is required to consider the results from the independent second option. It also adds that no adjudication hearing scheduled is to be continued solely because the results from an independent medical evaluation for pediatric specialty consultation of the child before the court are unavailable.

Senate Public Safety Committee – First Responders Subcommittee

The First Responders Subcommittee of the Senate Public Safety Committee, chaired by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) met at 6 a.m. on Wednesday to consider the following measures:

• HB 225, authored by Representative Dale Washburn (R-Macon), amends Title 40 to repeal laws allowing automated traffic enforcement in school zones and prohibit new contracts for such enforcement.

Representative Washburn presented the bill to the committee, explaining the reasoning for his introduction of the measure and describing the statewide support he has received (including 100 co-signers).

• HB 651, authored by Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), amends Titles 15 and 40 to revise provisions relative to the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices in school zones. The bill revises the definition of a school zone and mandates specific standards for signage warning of automated traffic enforcement devices. The legislation also eliminates the authorization to impose processing fees related to civil monetary penalties and removes penalties associated with motor vehicle registration renewal. It introduces a requirement for quarterly reporting on the use of collected funds, which are to be distributed equally between local law enforcement initiatives and school safety purposes. The bill specifies that civil monetary penalties for speeding violations in school zones will be enforced using recorded images, with penalties set at $75 for a first violation and $125 for subsequent violations.

Representative Powell presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that it is intended to put some guardrails on the operation of school zone speed cameras. Subcommittee members expressed concern about the dedication of revenue in the bill, arguing that the cities and counties with jurisdiction over the roads should get the revenue. There were also complaints about the fee structure that would pay speed zone camera operators on a per-violation basis. Senator Robertson expressed fears of revenue-based policing and proposed a scheme where the Department of Public Safety certifies the location and calibration of the devices. Representative Powell said he was open to “the will of the committee” on the bill. The subcommittee took no action on the bill.

Senate Economic Development Committee

Chairman Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) gaveled the meeting to order at 8 a.m. Wednesday and rushed through most of the agenda.

• HB 233, brought by Representative Rick Townsend (R-Brunswick), was a highlight of the meeting: the sanctification of cornbread, Brunswick stew, and sugar cane syrup as official Georgia edibles. No one challenged whether they had to be eaten together in the same meal. This substitute had an electronic security matter added to it. The committee voted DO PASS.
• HB 466, by Representative Mike Cameron (R-Rossville), aims to help preserve the marsh tacky horse, a small 14-hand beast that dated from the native Georgia and colonial period and has diminished to a herd of 3000. The committee recommended DO PASS.
• HB 455, by Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell) relates to bingo games, to increase the price game operators may charge nonprofits to $150 per session and allow multiple sessions per day, maintaining the limit to 30 sessions per month. The committee voted DO PASS.
• HB 454, by Representative Houston Gaines (R-Watkinsville), allows additional funding and federal conformity to the acquisition of battlefields from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, including the acquisition of private property. HB 467, which did not pass the House, was added to the bill. This bill provided for relocation of Civil War monuments on private property and drew the ire of the Democrats on the committee because it had not been fully vetted. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation on a 7-4 party-line vote.
• HB 399, by Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) requires out-of-state property owners of more than 25 single-family homes to engage a Georgia licensed real estate broker and locate an employee in Georgia to respond to renter complaints and pleas for repairs. The bill received a DO PASS vote.
• HB 216, by Representative Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain), is the “Richard H. Smith Georgia CHIPS Advancement in Research and Economic Development Act” to promote the semiconductor industry in Georgia through the creation of a new Georgia CHIPS and Technology Commission. The committee recommended DO PASS.
• HB 14, by Representative Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), was held by the Chair for later action, as he had in mind adding to its content. The bill designates cornbread as the official state bread.

House Ways and Means Committee

The Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), met on Wednesday morning to hear a proposed constitutional amendment and its enabling legislation:

• HR 192, by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), provides a constitutional amendment for the creation and comprehensive regulation of community development districts. HB 317, the accompanying enabling legislation, is the Workforce and Residential Infrastructure District for Georgia Act (RID).

Representative Stephens presented his legislation explaining that it will bring Georgia in line with other southern states that use this private bond funding mechanism. A RID allows for a private investment similar to a Tax Allocation District (TAD) so that landowners can essentially tax themselves to provide infrastructure for development. HR 192 is the required constitutional amendment, and HB 317 is the enabling legislation.

Representative Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) asked if these were largely being used for industrial and commercial applications or for residential growth. They’re used for both. Representative Brian Prince (D-Augusta) asked if this could be used by adjacent property owners in more than one county. Yes, a RID can be used in a multi-county scenario.

Both pieces of legislation received a unanimous DO PASS recommendation from the committee.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Chairman Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) and members of the Judiciary Committee moved swiftly on Wednesday on the following measures:

• HB 177, authored by Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), amends O.C.G.A. 19-13-4 to provide protection for household pets in both family violence and dating violence protective orders. The version considered was LC 57 0200. Representative Cooper noted that in many instances individuals often use the pet as a way to hurt the other party and often threats are made in front of children. There was no opposition and support was provided by domestic violence organizations. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the legislation forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Strickland will carry this measure in the Senate.
• HB 86, authored by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), amends Chapter 7 of Title 45 to revise provisions relating to the calculation and setting of salaries of appellate and statewide court judges. The legislation before the committee was LC 47 3366S (a substitute). It eliminates the amount of pay in the Code and places caps. It further ties the salaries to the amounts paid to United States District Court judges for the two-year prior period. Georgia is 49th in the country in amounts it pays some judges; however, it is 5th or 6th in the country where some of the judges are paid the highest in the country (depending on county). Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) noted he was uncomfortable tying the pay to the federal standard, and Representative Leverett explained that the judges liked the idea. The legislation does not obligate the General Assembly. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) will carry the legislation forward in the Senate.
• HB 222, authored by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), revises O.C.G.A. 17-6-73 to require the inclusion of certain contact information on bonds and recognizances (full name and address of the principal and each surety; mailing address of the principal . and each surety; and phone number of the principal and each surety). The legislation considered by the committee was LC 48 1345. The committee gave the bill a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Larry Walker, III (R-Perry) will carry the legislation forward in the Senate.
• HB 325, authored by Representative Reynaldo Martinez (R-Loganville) amends Titles 19 and 38 to provide for processes for protective orders to be issued by military judges that prohibit contact between specific members of the state militia in the instance that one member of such militia has been accused of stalking another member of such militia. The version considered was LC 46 1038. Military commanders can now issue protective orders. This change will allow the order to be entered into the NCIC. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) will carry the legislation forward in the Senate.
• HB 327, also authored by Representative Leverett (R-Elberton), is a comprehensive re-write of Georgia’s laws in Title 53. The effort came from the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar. It cleans up consistency around notices to beneficiaries; addresses trust accounts; makes changes to legitimation and who the heirs can be; and provides a probate court clean-up. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation without any questions, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator John Kennedy (R-Macon) will carry the effort in the Senate.
• HB 384, authored by Representative Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta), is to provide legal clarity of public officer oaths in Titles 16 and 45. It seeks to provide for aspirational language in such oaths and limit the legal effect of any such aspirational language and with the crime of violation of oath of a public officer codified oaths. Representative Seabaugh expressed that it protects due process. Almost all states have a violation of oath statute. This will apply to all public officers. Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) inquired what brought about this legislation; there have been high-profile incidents that have accentuated the need for the legislation. The committee gave the bill a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) will carry the legislation forward in the Senate.
• HB 530, also authored by Representative Leverett, is a bill addressing probate court’s use of electronic filings in O.C.G.A. 15-9-86.2. It requires the courts on or before January 1, 2028 (conforming to the rules of the Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia) to provide for the electronic filing of all pleadings and any other documents in a civil matter. It also requires acceptance of payments and remittance of fees by electronic means. Electronic filing is used now by superior courts. Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) raised questions about making this “mandatory” as some individuals may not be savvy with computers (such as pro se individuals) and some counties may not have computers for these filings available to the public. Senator Strickland asked for assurance that walk-in individuals would have access to file. The committee decided to provide the effort a DO PASS recommendation despite some concerns, moving the legislation forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) will carry the legislation forward in the Senate.
• HB 535, authored by Representative Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen), amends O.C.G.A. 42-8-38 (LC 48 1478) to provide credit for time served regarding probation revocation sentencing. This addresses the Kellum Court of Appeals Case. There were no questions raised. Georgia Justice Project waived its remarks, noting its support of the legislation. The committee gave the legislation a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) will carry this legislation in the Senate.

Senate Health and Human Services

Chairman Ben Watson (R-Savannah) and members of the Health and Human Services Committee took up the following measures late Wednesday:

• HB 154, authored by Representative Gary Richardson (R-Evans), adds at O.C.G.A. 31-11-3 that ambulance services, whether provided by a public or private entity, be declared to be essential services. This bill will not impact zoning practices. There were no questions raised (LC 46 1133S) and the legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Ben Watson (R-Savannah) will carry the legislation forward in the Senate.
• HB 291, authored by Representative Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), is the legislation to provide certification of community healthcare workers in O.C.G.A. 31-31-1 (LC 57 0257). These are frontline health workers providing direct care services (e.g. counseling, social support, care coordination, and health screenings). A pilot program in Lowndes County has seen a savings of $26,800 per patient with the use of these individuals (especially helping with mental health needs and expectant mothers’ care). There is also funding for the workers in the Department of Public Health budget. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the bill forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) will carry the legislation in the Senate.
• HB 428, authored by Representative Lehman Franklin (R-Statesboro), codifies at O.C.G.A. 31-1-26 in vitro fertilization. It defines “IVF” as: A type of fertility treatment in which oocytes are removed from a female’s ovary and, in an embryology laboratory, fertilized with a male’s sperm to form an embryo that begins development in such laboratory and is subsequently transferred to a female’s uterus or preserved for future use.

Representative Franklin noted this was about “family building” an option for couples. A reproductive endocrinologist spoke to the legislation’s merits. There were emotional testimonies provided by several individuals who have used IVF to have children. Two individuals attempted to offer amendments to place regulations on IVF, noting that these laboratories often discard the materials or test the materials. They suggested that this was “selective reduction.” They further argued that IVF clinics engage in unethical practices (noting too that the industry was based on greed). The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, without amendments, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Ben Watson (R-Savannah) will carry the legislation in the Senate.

• HB 471, authored by Representative Mike Cheokas (R-Americus), is the water safety education effort that Every Child’s A Swimmer has pushed this session. It seeks to require, in O.C.G.A. 31-7-24, hospitals and birthing centers to provide a video to be offered to new mothers before discharge to educate them on the dangers of water with their babies. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the initiative forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek) will carry the bill in the Senate.
• HB 567, authored by Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), is the legislation addressing teledentistry. The version offered was LC 46 1218S. The Georgia Dental Association has sought this bill on behalf of its 3,400 member dentists. The initiative does not mandate teledentistry insurance coverage in O.C.G.A. 43-11-54. It defines the term “teledentistry” as “the delivery of dental care through the use of synchronous real-time communication in conjunction with and supported by store and forward technologies under the general supervision of the authorizing dentists when dental care is provided to a patient physically located at a site in the state that is different from the site of the authorizing dentist is physically located.” Such teledentistry interaction is not considered the equivalent of an in-person clinical examination. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Shawn Still (R- Johns Creek) will carry the legislation in the Senate.

Senate Insurance and Labor Committee

Chairman Larry Walker, III (R-Perry) and the Insurance and Labor Committee took up two bills in the late afternoon on Wednesday:

• HB 94, authored by Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), is a health insurance coverage proposal. It came to the committee in a new substitute, LC 52 0845S. It requires health benefit policies in O.C.G.A. 33-24-59.34 to include coverage for certain expenses for standard fertility preservation services when a medically necessary treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus may directly or indirectly cause impairment of fertility. It is limited to private insurance; this does not cover the State Health Benefit Plan or Medicaid plans. Further, it is only when the individual has one of the named diseases — it does not cover all autoimmune diseases (for example rheumatoid arthritis). The coverage may exclude costs associated with the storage of gametes for more than one year; include age restrictions; include a lifetime limit per procedure per eligible insured; and be limited to non-experimental procedures. Senator Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) asked questions about the disposal of the tissue collected and stored. This bill does not address those issues. Representative Lumsden also noted that the costs for this coverage would be pennies on premiums. Emory University had brought this issue to Representative Lumsden and according to the author asked for the coverage for the three disease states. The committee gave the legislation a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) will carry the legislation in the Senate.
• HB 196, authored by Representative Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown), is a new Code section at O.C.G.A. 45-18-22 regarding the state’s employees’ health insurance plan. It requires that drugs dispensed to covered persons for self-administration under a state health plan be reimbursed using a transparent, index-based price, plus a dispensing fee. This is to help level the playing field for independent pharmacies in the state. Representative Kelley indicated it was to address the manipulation of pricing by pharmacy benefit managers. It establishes a floor and a ceiling on dispensing fees. In the version addressed, LC 57 0274, it deleted the cause of action language. The Department of Insurance will enforce the practices. Representative Kelley indicated he was in the position to “agree” to the Senate changes when the legislation came back to the House. The committee gave the proposal a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan) will carry the legislation in the Senate.

Senate Education and Youth Committee

Chairman Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) convened his committee at 8 a.m. Thursday morning to consider three measures:

• HB 307, by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), mandates the creation of support plans for students with dyslexia and requires schools to notify parents and guardians about their children's reading challenges. The Department of Education is tasked with publishing and distributing information on dyslexia, and local school systems must disseminate this information. The bill prohibits the use of the three-cueing systems model in instructional materials for kindergarten through third grade and repeals the provision related to reading recovery programs. It also establishes the Georgia Literacy Plan Coordinating Committee within the Office of Student Achievement to oversee literacy efforts. The committee recommended DO PASS.
• HB 371, by John Corbett (R-Lake Park), related to the Quality Basic Education Act capital outlay funding, increases the state's maximum capital outlay from $300 million to $375 million. An increase in funding is needed for two reasons: 1) pre-k was added to the formula, and 2) construction costs have increased. The limit has not been updated since 2007. The bill also requires that each new elementary school constructed on or after July 1 of 2027 that chooses to build a playground would have to meet standards for inclusive playgrounds (beyond simply what is required by ADA). This was born of an effort called Hope for Hall, in Hall County. The committee voted DO PASS.
• SR 237, by Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), is a resolution that urges the Professional Standards Commission to provide recommendations to support the state's K-12 education workforce and teacher and school leader pipeline. Senator Hickman explained that the purpose of this resolution is to address the shortage of teachers across the state, noting that there are currently 5,300 open positions, and many positions currently filled with personnel that required waivers from qualifications. The committee voted DO PASS.

House Education Committee

The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Chris Erwin (R-Homer), met on Thursday afternoon to consider the following measures:

• SB 63, authored by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), amends Title 20 to require that local school systems offer certain exams to home study students, specifically the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, ACT, and Advanced Placement exams. Local school systems are required to make these exams available to home study students and must post notices on their public websites detailing the dates of administration, registration dates, and procedures, explicitly stating the availability of these exams for home study students. The bill prohibits local school systems from charging home study students any fees not required of enrolled students or imposing additional requirements beyond those specified in the existing law.

Senator Dixon presented the bill to the committee, of which several members expressed concern about the cost. A motion was made to add the ASVAB to the list of covered exams, and the motion was adopted. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee. Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) will carry the bill in the House.

• SB 82, authored by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), is the "Local Charter School Authorization and Support Act of 2025". The bill amends Title 20 to establish a program to incentivize local boards of education in Georgia to approve new charter school petitions, offering financial grants and introducing accountability measures for repeated denials. Specifically, the bill introduces incentive grants for local boards that approve new charter school petitions, with each approved petition eligible for a $250,000 grant annually for three years, contingent on appropriations. The legislation also mandates local boards to provide written statements when denying charter petitions, detailing reasons for denial and existing school choice options. It introduces accountability measures for local boards that repeatedly deny petitions subsequently approved by the State Charter Schools Commission, potentially affecting their eligibility for charter system status renewal.

Senator Dixon presented the bill to the committee as a substitute, which was further amended to allow districts 20 business days to provide the reason for denying a petition. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee. Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) will carry the bill in the House.

• SB 93, authored by Senator Ra’Shaun Kemp (D-Atlanta), as introduced, amended Title 20 to prohibit the three-cuing system from inclusion in high-quality instructional materials or structured literacy; to prohibit public schools from employing the three-cueing system or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading.

Senator Kemp presented the bill to the committee as a substitute, noting that since other legislation has been passed banning three-cuing, his bill now only requires that teacher education programs be aligned with the Science of Reading. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee. Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins) will carry the bill in the House.

• SB 123, authored by Senator John Kennedy (R-Macon), amends Title 20 to update and revise provisions of the state's compulsory school attendance laws to ensure that no student is expelled solely due to absenteeism. The bill mandates that student attendance and school climate committees address chronic absenteeism and report on their activities. The legislation also requires local boards of education to establish policies for attendance review teams and intervention plans for chronically absent students. These teams are tasked with developing intervention plans for students and their families.

Senator Kennedy presented the bill to the committee, noting the bill is “not the fix” to absenteeism but is intended to “shine a light” on absenteeism and hopefully provide lawmakers with insights for future legislation. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee. Representative Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) will carry the bill in the House.

• SB 236, authored by Senator Kenya Wicks (D-Fayette), amends Title 20 to provide that certain students whose parents or guardians are on active duty in the United States armed forces are eligible for enrollment in the public school of the attendance zone in which they intend to reside regardless of whether they have entered into a lease, purchased a house, or otherwise secured housing within such attendance zone.

Senator Wicks presented the bill to the committee, which recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee. Representative David Clark (R-Buford) will carry the bill in the House.

New Legislation

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced: