Gold Dome Report - Legislative Day 26 - March 2025

March came in like a lion on Monday as the Georgia General Assembly began its blitz toward Crossover Day on Thursday. With over 80 measures slated for hearing in House and Senate committees, state senators began their committee work at 7 a.m. and raced through full dockets ahead of a 1 p.m. convening on the floor. Meanwhile, the House worked through lengthy Rules Calendars before members scattered to at least six committees that met simultaneously upon adjournment. The ensuing madness left lawmakers and lobbyists reeling, but we cover as much as we could follow in this #GoldDomeReport.

Amongst the many measures taken up on Monday, the House and Senate revealed and signed off on a compromise version of the Amended FY 2025 Budget. Now, all eyes turn to the House to make the first move on the FY 2026 Budget, which could come any day now.

In this Report:

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

Floor Action

The House took up the following measures on Legislative Day 26:

• HR 32 - General Assembly; increase maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property - CA - ADOPTED 168-5
• HB 89 - Public Health, Department of; require healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to provide the Maternal Mortality Review Committee with psychiatric or other clinical records (Substitute)(P&CH-Cooper-45th) - PASSED 168-7
• HB 296 - Motor vehicles; presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format; provisions (Substitute)(MotV-Gaines-120th) - PASSED 154-17
• HB 327 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated; amend various titles (Substitute)(Judy-Leverett-123rd) - PASSED 176-0
• HB 358 - Agriculture; prohibiting acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain foreign persons and entities; provide for a definition (Judy-Smith-138th) - PASSED 120-50
• HB 378 - State courts of counties; online publishing of terms; provide (Judy-Momtahan-17th) HB 413 Agriculture; prohibit local ordinances that prohibit operation of mobile sawmills on agricultural land (A&CA-Jenkins-136th) - PASSED 162-11
• HB 416 - Local government; enterprise zones; revise class of retailer from which fees may be collected (Substitute)(GAff-Efstration-104th) - PASSED172-0
• HB 186 - Revenue and taxation; eliminate title ad valorem tax fee requirement for certain inherited vehicles (W&M-Ridley-22nd) - PASSED 171-0
• HB 290 - Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law (W&M-Carson-46th) - PASSED 176-0
• HR 69 - Biomedical Research Day; every third Thursday in April; recognize (Hth-Barnes-86th) - ADOPTED 171-1
• HB 91 - Professions and businesses; licensure for graduates of foreign colleges or schools of veterinary medicine who are board certified in a specialty; provide (Substitute)(A&CA-Cooper-45th) - PASSED 169-0
• HB 255 - Special license plates; Southern University Alumni; establish (Substitute)(MotV-McClain-109th) - PASSED 168-0
• HB 262 - Community Health, Department of; grant program for purpose of acquiring and installing backup generators; provide (Substitute) (RDev-O'Steen-169th) - PASSED 173-0
• HB 398 - Food, drugs, and cosmetics; authorize production and sale of cottage food items with certain exemptions, requirements, and disclosures (A&CA-Hagan-156th) - PASSED 171-2
• HB 399 - Property; require certain residential landlords to have in-state staff to manage tenant communications (Substitute)(GAff-Oliver-84th) - PASSED 163-4
• HB 454 - Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act; enact (Substitute) (GF&P-Gaines-120th) - PASSED 157-14
• HB 473 - Controlled substances; Schedule I; provide certain provisions (Hth-Stephens-164th) - PASSED 170-0
• HB 612 - Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; add member (Hth-Dempsey-13th) - PASSED 170-2
• HB 141 - Revenue and taxation; allow businesses and practitioners to provide affidavits of certified public accountants in lieu of tax returns (Substitute)(W&M-Momtahan-17th) - PASSED 158-16
• HB 165 - Income tax credit; business enterprises for leased motor vehicles; repeal and reserve (Substitute)(W&M-Franklin-160th) - PASSED 173-0
• HB 229 - Sales and use tax; exempt materials used in the construction of capital outlay projects for educational purposes; provisions (Substitute) (W&M-Neal-79th) - PASSED 169-2

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 26:

• SB 20 - Veterinarians; student loan repayment; who practice shelter medicine and in nonprofit pet sterilization clinics; provide; create the State Veterinary Education Board for Shelter Medicine and Pet Sterilization (Substitute) (H ED-32nd) - PASSED 54-2
• SB 30 - Hospitals and Related Institutions; hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications for certain purposes to minors; prohibit prescribing or administering (H&HS-1st) - PASSED 34-19
• SB 31 - Income Taxes; all income received as retirement benefits derived from service in the armed forces of the United States or the reserve components; exempt from taxation (FIN-27th) - PASSED 53-1
• SB 46 - "Government Serves the People Act"; enact (GvtO-16th) - PASSED 51-4
• SB 51 - State, County, and Municipal Road Systems; contracting procedures related to the acquisition of certain professional services by counties and municipalities; revise (SLGO(G)-37th) - PASSED 54-1
• SB 55 - "Dignity and Pay Act"; enact (I&L-4th) - PASSED 51-3
• SB 74 - Harmful Materials to Minors; exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103; repeal (Substitute) (ED&Y23rd) - PASSED 32-23
• SB 85 - Grants for Foster Children; a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; establish (Substitute) (H ED-6th) - PASSED 53-0
• SB 139 - City of Mulberry; change the corporate limits of the city (Substitute) (SLGO(G)-45th) - PASSED 31-22

At the time of publication, the Senate was in recess until 6 p.m.

Committee Notes

Senate Education and Youth Committee

The Senate Education and Youth Committee, chaired by Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), convened on Monday morning to consider the following measures:

• SB 65, authored by Senator Derek Mallow (D-Savannah), amends Title 20 to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering first grade and lower the age of compulsory school attendance from six years old to five years old. Additionally, the bill mandates that all local school systems offer a full-day kindergarten program.

Senator Mallow presented the bill to the committee, and there were numerous questions from Committee members. A motion to table failed, and an amendment was offered and adopted to change “5th birthday” to “6th birthday” and remove Section 3 of the bill. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute as amended and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 82, authored by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), is the "Local Charter School Authorization and Support Act of 2025". The legislation establishes a program under the State Charter Schools Commission to promote the approval of new local charter school petitions by local boards of education. It provides financial incentives in the form of grants to local boards that approve new charter school petitions. The bill mandates local boards provide detailed written statements when denying charter petitions and introduces accountability measures for local boards that repeatedly deny petitions later approved at the state level, potentially affecting their eligibility for charter system status renewal.

Senator Dixon presented the bill to the committee, explaining that there has been only one locally approved charter school in the past five years but over 30 approved at the state level. Charter school applicants must first be denied at the local level before seeking state approval. In the form of a question, Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) noted that local districts have a financial incentive to deny petitions as state-approved charter schools are funded by the State without local contribution. Senator Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) asked about the costs of new charter schools to local districts and pushed back against comments that school districts should not have reserve funds. Representatives from charter schools in Atlanta, Cobb, DeKalb, and Muscogee appeared in support of the bill. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute with Senator Sims voting no.

• SB 93, authored by Senator RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta), amends Title 20 to prohibit the use of the three-cueing system in high-quality instructional materials and structured literacy within public schools. The bill mandates that public schools and local school systems refrain from using the three-cueing system or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading, although visual information can be used to support comprehension. Additionally, the legislation requires the Professional Standards Commission, in collaboration with the University System of Georgia, to establish criteria for core curricula in state-approved educator preparation programs. These criteria must align with the science of reading and include research-based instructional strategies that exclude the three-cueing system.

Senator Kemp presented the bill to the committee as a substitute. Several speakers expressed concern that the bill might interfere with the use of pictures for communicating for non-verbal dyslexic students with IEPs. Miranda Williams of ExcelInEd spoke in support of the bill but also expressed concern about the IEP language and offered to work with the author to address it. The author presented an amendment to address the issue, which was adopted by the committee. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute as amended and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 171, authored by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), amends Title 20 to require the State Board of Education to develop an advanced mathematics pathway in grades three through eight. The legislation requires the adoption of policies to facilitate this pathway, including criteria for student qualification, automatic enrollment for eligible students, and the option for parents or guardians to opt their children out of automatic enrollment. Additionally, it provides criteria for students who do not qualify for automatic enrollment to join the pathway and mandates that information about the pathway be disseminated to students and their parents or guardians. Local school systems are authorized to offer this advanced mathematics pathway in grades three through five and are required to offer it in grades six through eight. Each local school system must submit an annual report by December 1, detailing the number of students automatically enrolled, those who opted out, those who enrolled without automatic qualification, the courses and supports offered, and the end-of-grade assessment scores in mathematics for these students.

Senator Anavitarte presented the bill to the committee, and Michael O’Sullivan of GeorgiaCAN and Buzz Brockway of the Georgia Center for Opportunity appeared in support. Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) offered an amendment to encourage district support for elementary teachers in obtaining necessary certifications, and the amendment was adopted. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute as amended and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 295, authored by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), amends Title 20 to require local school systems to maintain and publish a registry of all contracts worth more than $10,000.00 involving the use of any state funds.

Senator Anavitarte presented the bill to the committee, which recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee without any questions.

Senate Higher Education Committee

Chairman Max Burns (R-Sylvania) convened the 7 a.m. meeting of his committee; one bill was on the agenda.

• SB 120, authored by Senator Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI) from Georgia’s schools, colleges, and universities. The bill was heard in committee last week for its first hearing, where public comment was taken. No public comment was taken at this meeting.

The author described that Georgia is at a critical juncture in shaping the future of higher education and the need for restoring academic excellence and fairness in our colleges for too long, he stated, DEI initiatives have moved beyond their original intent and have become ideological filters that stifle free speech and promote division rather than unity and that Georgia’s schools should not be institutions that push political agendas with taxpayer funding. “Defunding these programs doesn’t mean that we don’t support diversity, it means we support true diversity of thought.” Students should all have a fair shot based on their abilities, not arbitrary quotas.

Senator Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) noted that academic freedom has long been upheld and strongly embraced in the state of Georgia, specifically that our institutions have academic freedom without political interference. Senator Harbin shared that constituents who are professors have reported fear of retaliation and fear of speaking what they believe. His wish is that there be freedom of speech, thought, and disagreement without fear of retaliation.

Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) asked the chairman a clarifying question: when GA gives money to a private school, is it earmarked for a specific purpose — it already can’t be spent on any DEI programs. Yes, but most private schools do benefit from HOPE scholarships through tuition payments. Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) offered a friendly amendment to remove private institutions from the bill. He suggested this as an effort to avoid lawsuits as we see how this issue plays out nationwide and that private institutions could be added at a later date. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), met on Monday morning to consider the following measures:

• SB 27, authored by Senator John Albers (R-Alpharetta), amends Title 16 to provide for the offense of doxxing. The bill defines doxxing as the malicious transmission, sending, or publishing of private or identifying information about an identifiable person on electronic or social platforms, with the intent to frighten, coerce, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass.

Senator Albers presented the bill to the committee, which recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 61, authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), amends Titles 15 and 20 to expand superior court jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses, mandate school safety assessments, and revise student record transfer protocols. The bill expands the jurisdiction of superior courts to include certain offenses committed by children aged 13 to 17, such as terroristic threats or acts involving schools, and attempts or conspiracies to commit specific serious crimes. It also mandates that academic and disciplinary records of transferring students be provided to the receiving school, reducing the timeframe for parents to receive these records. The bill provides for the certification of individuals and entities to conduct site threat assessments and outlines the responsibilities of school officials in transferring student records.

Senator Dolezal presented the bill as a substitute. Several speakers, including representatives of Georgia Appleseed, IDRA, and the Carter Center, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern that the terroristic threats provision of the bill could have unintended consequences of criminalizing immature behavior. A representative of the Department of Juvenile Justice explained that the bill could also have consequences for the Department. The Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers also appeared in opposition, asking that the committee delete Section 1 altogether and pointing out a number of other technical issues. Thomas Weaver pointed specifically to the provision of the bill extending coverage to public parks. Senator Dolezal closed testimony by saying that the bill was informed by district attorneys, law enforcement, and judges and that they will retain discretion on how to charge offenses. Senator Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) asked whether there are any protections for special needs children, to which Senator Dolezal said that would be contemplated by law enforcement and district attorneys in making charging decisions but offering to work on a floor amendment if necessary. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee by a 7-2 vote.

• SB 179, authored by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), amends Title 20 to require that the academic and disciplinary records of each transferring student be provided by such student's previous school to the receiving school within ten days. It also requires law enforcement to report encounters with school-age youth to school officials and parents within seven days of a felony arrest. The legislation emphasizes the implementation of evidence-based suicide awareness and youth violence prevention training programs, mandating that public schools serving grades six through twelve provide at least one hour of such training annually, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Additionally, the bill establishes a state-wide anonymous reporting program to facilitate the reporting of dangerous or threatening activities related to schools.

Senator Dixon presented the bill to the committee as a substitute, and Tom Bauer of the Georgia School Counselor Association expressed appreciation that the record submission deadline was extended from five to ten days. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 189, authored by Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), amends Title 50 to provide for the Department of Community Affairs to develop and maintain a publicly accessible database of legal notices that are otherwise required by law to be published in a newspaper.

Senator Williams presented the bill to the committee, explaining that he is still working with stakeholders but would like the committee to keep the bill moving. Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) expressed concern about the additional $25 fee imposed for placing legal notices in the database. Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) noted that he has heard from a number of newspaper publishers and asked whether newspapers are already posting legal notices to a public website, to which Senator Williams said yes. The committee took no action on the bill.

• SB 204, authored by Senator Harold Jones II (D-Augusta), amends Title 17 to allow for offenses that are not serious violent felonies, sexual felonies, or other certain offenses to be charged by accusation of the district attorney rather than by grand jury indictment.

Senator Jones presented the bill to the Committee, noting that it is an efficiency and transparency measure. He explained that 23 other states already do this, and Georgia did it during the pandemic. Thomas Weaver and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers spoke in opposition to the legislation. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 244, authored by Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), amends Title 17 to provide for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in a criminal case to the defendant upon such defendant making a successful motion to disqualify the prosecuting attorney for misconduct in connection with the case.

Senator Beach presented the bill to the Committee, which recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SB 268, authored by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), amends Title 16 to provide for the crime of interference with a first responder. The offense occurs when an individual, after being verbally warned by a first responder, knowingly approaches or remains within 25 feet of the responder with the intent to interfere, threaten, or harass.

Senator Robertson presented the bill to the committee, noting that it is known in other states as a “Halo Law”. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee without questions.

• SB 279, authored by Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), is the "Daniel D. Podsiadly, Jr. Act." The bill amends Titles 34 and 35 to require timely notification to eligible peace officers about disability compensation programs if they are injured in the line of duty.

Chairman Strickland presented the bill to the committee, explaining that it passed out of the Senate last year but failed to achieve final passage. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee without discussion.

• SB 298, authored by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), amends Title 5 to allow direct appeals of rulings denying immunity to government entities, requiring such appeals to be filed within thirty days. The bill introduces a new provision that allows for direct appeal of any judgments, orders, or rulings that deny or refuse to grant immunity based on sovereign, municipal, official, qualified, or any other immunity recognized by the United States Constitution or the state’s constitution, laws, or common law.

Senator Robertson presented the bill to the committee, and ACCG and GMA appeared in support of the measure. The committee adopted an amendment to allow such a direct appeal only once per civil action. The committee recommended the bill DO PASS by committee substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• SR 262, authored by Senator Bill Cowsert, is an application for a convention of the states under Article V of the United States Constitution to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government by requiring a balanced budget. This requirement would include exceptions necessary to respond to emergencies and provide for national defense.

Senator Cowsert presented the resolution to the committee, explaining that the General Assembly had adopted the resolution previously but it had a sunset. He addressed concerns about the appointment of delegates and the subject matter limitation of any such convention. The Committee recommended the resolution DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Senate Insurance and Labor Committee

Chairman Larry Walker, III (R-Perry) and the Insurance and Labor Committee took up these bills this morning:

• SB 276, authored by Senator Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), is the legislation addressing O.C.G.A. 49-5-148, relating to third-party liability in the state’s Medicaid program. The legislation was an administration bill. It was the author’s first piece of legislation. He received help from Joe Hood, III, COO of the Department of Community Health. It bars a third-party payer from refusing payment solely because a healthcare item or service did not receive prior authorization. It also requires that a third party respond to the Department of Community Health regarding a claim within 60 days. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee.
• SB 284, authored by Senator Larry Walker, III (R-Perry), addresses Georgia’s Uniform Securities Act of 2008. It seeks to provide consumer protection when fraudulent activities occur. The legislation was brought to his attention by the Secretary of State’s Office. The Executive Director for the Securities Division, with the Secretary of State, Noula Zaharis, spoke to the merits of the initiative. It specifically amends O.C.G.A. 10-5-73 to add that the Commissioner may issue an order to return to investors, customers, or clients the principal amount of their securities purchase as well as all collected in connection with those securities purchases. The legislation, LC 55 0536, received a DO PASS recommendation, moving it forward to the Senate Rules Committee.
• SB 243, also authored by Senator Walker, addresses the previously passed law known as Back the Blue in O.C.G.A. 40-2-26.1. The original intent of the law was to help provide retention/bonus and training funds to county sheriffs for their deputies and jailers. Due to concerns raised by the governor’s counsel relating to constitutional concerns (gratuities clause), the legislation before the Committee was an attempt to address those concerns. The funds for the deputies and jailers’ pay boosts are to come from voluntary contributions made by citizens when paid to the Department of Revenue.

Terry Norris, with the Georgia Sheriffs Association, stated that he thought that the funds should be paid to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, which is attached to the Georgia State Patrol. He also raised questions about equal payments to the sheriffs, as the original legislation intended but was stripped in SB 243. Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) and Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) raised questions and how the dollars were to be used and how apportioned respectively. Amendments were offered to address their concerns and those were adopted. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation on the Committee Substitute, moving the initiative forward to the Senate Rules Committee.

House Higher Education Committee

Chairman Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) led discussions this morning on the following measure:

• HB 602, authored by Representative Tim Fleming (R-Covington), seeks to deny state funds in O.C.G.A. 20-1-50 to a student who is convicted of a criminal offense (disruptive conduct or expressive activity (unless protected)) or is determined by a post-secondary institution that the student has violated the school’s code of conduct. There were a number of individuals who testified about the proposal — there were theologians, students, advocates, and others. Many argued that the legislation had a chilling effect on freedom of speech and others noted that the legislation attempted to prohibit students in colleges or universities from protesting or showing other means of demonstration. These schools afford university or college students places to demonstrate or protest ideas and have historically allowed such activities. Among those who spoke out against the legislation in its current form were Noelle McAfee, a professor and member of the Emory University Senate and the grandson of Joseph Lowry who was a change agent for civic engagement. There were arguments that the legislation sought to punish students twice — first with any criminal offense charges and a second time by taking away their scholarships. No action was taken at today’s meeting; it is anticipated that the author will make amendments to help tighten the intent of the legislation.

House Health Committee

Chairman Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) and the House Health Committee met this afternoon to take up the following measures:

• HB 139, authored by Representative Todd Jones (R-Cumming), is a bill addressing the 340B drug program. It specifically prohibits drug manufacturers and wholesalers from preventing a licensed pharmacy from acquiring and dispensing drugs purchased from entities that participate in a 340B drug discount program in O.C.G.A. 26-4-120. The author was NOT present; the bill was not heard.
• HB 382, authored by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), seeks to amend O.C.G.A. 16-13-25(3)((N) to exclude drugs containing crystalline polymorph psilocybin (drugs from mushrooms) that are under review to be approved by the FDA under Schedule I. Once available, it allows emergency powers to the Board of Pharmacy, if approved, to come back next year for reclassification. The bill received a DO PASS recommendation, LC 33 9038S). The drug can perhaps be used for severe depression or PTSD.
• HB 629, authored by Representative Karen Mathiak (R-Griffin), is a bill previously brought last year. Discussions were held with CHOA, noting difficulties to get surveys done. The legislation received a DO PASS to LC 461150, moving the legislation forward to the House Rules Committee.
• HB 662, authored by Representative Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), allows, in O.C.G.A. 31-8-9.1, help to rural hospitals so that rather than closure it can become a rural emergency room. If the change, it allows them to participate in the Rural Heart Program. It would particularly impact a hospital in her district. Monty Veazy spoke to the legislation; it is the only hospital to become a rural emergency hospital (CMS designation) but in doing so it kicked the hospital out of the tax credit program. At line 12, it was amended adding after has its primary campus or operating a rural outpatient emergency clinic. This will help a Catoosa clinic operated by Floyd Medical Center as well as the hospital in Irwin County. After rushing to pass the bill, before amending, the bill was discharged and the Chair then took up the amendment. The amendment was adopted and the legislation received a DO PASS recommendation as amended, moving it forward to the House Rules Committee. [LC 339781 as amended]
• HB 677, authored by Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), is legislation addressing the state’s six psychiatric residential treatment facilities and hospitals and placements of children upon discharge from those facilities in Titles 31 and 33. Representative Dempsey is “fluid” as things are changing. 46 1197S is the one before the Committee. The intent is that there are children who are “stuck” but have been sent to crisis treatment and spend 3-5 days and then no parent, guardian, or custodian is not there to take them. These are some of the hardest to care for — many who are hoteled. Some are being ignored and getting treatment that they do not need. Hospitals are eating the charges. It was to address per diems for these facilities. She intends to work with the Department of Community Health with the author on the payment. All signers are acutely aware of the problem. Sections 1, 5, and 6 — Section 1 is the MATCH team approach. The MATCH team has a group of professionals to take care of the discussion to find the appropriate placement of the child without delay (and the team meets on an emergency basis). Section 5 also deals with the MATCH team and the report required to be provided to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees — this will not happen unless there are funds. DCH is committed to work on this issue. Representative Jazmine Clark said this sounds horrible and loves trying to find solutions but asked what has happened to the parents. What is the responsibility or accountability for them? Is there a procedure to reach out to the parent or guardian about the next step? A discharge plan is immediately commenced when the child is admitted and it becomes obvious at the time of discharge that there will not be anyone per Representative Dempsey. The legislation will eliminate Sections 2, 3, and 4 in a later version. Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) asked for clarification on which sections were considered. Representative Petrea indicated in his career encountered these individuals — many times there is violence involved and parents are afraid of the child. There is a need for better crisis units per Representative Petrea as the units are always full, allowing no availability of beds. They need to have resources in the community to migrate to another location.

Candice Broce, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, supported the legislation and is glad the conversation is happening. There are children needing crisis-level care but parents do not know what to do — many times the parents are involved but do not know what to do. DHS takes the all and starts the investigation; the families can also face criminal investigation. However, parents are worried about their safety and family’s safety. Some children enter foster care when they should not — the child needs mental health care (they are not abused or neglected). In current managed care contracts, there is language that if a law is passed then the CMO will have to absorb the cost. There is a huge burden on the system per Commissioner Broce but it is also putting a strain on the providers. The intermediate level of care is being built as we speak and the bill will make a huge difference. For children in DFCS custody, there are a few hundred (out of more than 10,000 children in custody) who are very challenging and require a lot of resources. There may be options in other states and more capacity is needed. The provider, if the provider determines care is medically necessary, then CMO will pay. There are instances where the insurer finds that the care is not medically necessary and not paid. However, there are appeals. Chairman Hawkins thanked Commissioner Broce for what she does.

Stan Jones spoke to HB 677 on behalf of Together Georgia, Multi-Agency Alliance for Children, and Youth Villages. He urged the Committee to move the bill forward. Mr. Jones explained that there are complicated financial issues. He also mentioned the MATCH committee, created in HB 1013 (2022), and how that might be used with these children. Everyone wants to build out the system for more community-based options. Further, he noted that the Department of Community Health is working on a therapeutic care management service option. He mentioned that they do not want the children to linger in PRTFs. It is supported by the providers in the system.

Representative Dempsey noted that children come in for all sorts of reasons, and she reminded the committee that these are some of the hardest children to place and who are in very serious crises. By the time of Day 40, she hopes that there are better options.

The legislation will be amended to remove Sections 2, 3, and 4. Representative Petrea moved to DO PASS. Legislative counsel suggested amending the header at line 4 (delete down to line 12). The amendment was adopted; the legislation received a DO PASS recommendation as amended.

House Education Committee

Chaired by Representative Chris Erwin (R-Homer), the House Education Committee met Monday afternoon to hear HB 268, Speaker Jon Burns’s comprehensive school safety bill, which was thoroughly vetted in this committee’s Policy Subcommittee, which was reported in Legislative Day 17’s Gold Dome Report.

• HB 268, sponsored by Representative Holt Persinger (R-Winder) presented the substitute to the bill (LC 492304 S). The bill amends multiple Titles, making the following provisions:
  • Mandates reimbursement grants for local school systems that employ qualified mental health coordinators, with eligibility determined by student population size;
  • Requires youth violence and suicide awareness and prevention training, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 behavioral health training;
  • Updates public school safety plans to incorporate behavioral threat assessment management plans;
  • Facilitates the transfer and disclosure of student records among schools and relevant agencies, establishing a framework for memoranda of understanding between state agencies and local administrations;
  • Establishes an Office of Safe Schools within the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to develop school safety best practices and a state-wide behavioral threat management system;
  • Addresses the handling of students who have committed felony acts, requiring school administrators to inform teachers of such students' disciplinary records while maintaining confidentiality;
  • Mandates that law enforcement officers report official encounters with school-age youth to school officials and parents;
  • Require public school safety plans include behavioral threat assessment management plans, with training and technical assistance provided by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency;
  • Creates the Office of Safe Schools, which will oversee the development of a state-wide behavioral threat management system and the School and Student Safety Database (S3 Database) to evaluate and manage potential threats;
  • Requires school safety directors complete specific training and oversee all school safety and security personnel, policies, and procedures;
  • Mandates annual unannounced inspections of schools;
  • Requires the development of a family reunification plans in case of school closures or evacuations;
  • Requires schools comply with safety requirements, including keeping exterior doors locked and marking safe areas for emergencies; and
  • Establishes threat management teams at each school to assess and intervene with students who may pose a threat, using a state-wide behavioral threat assessment indicator.

Representative Lydia Glaize (D-Fairburn) asked about an appeal process for parents who disagree with the results of an assessment or a process for removing a student’s name from the list of. Specifically she wants to know how a student gets off “the list” after completing therapy or whatever other course of action is completed. Linda Criblez, Deputy Director of Homeland Security with GEMA, explained that once a student was deemed no longer to be a credible threat, the S3 record would show that the case was closed; there is no “list” per se, rather an historical record of a student’s behavior.

Representative Phil Olayleye (D-Atlanta) asked if the state would be tracking who is reported to these anonymous lists, even those not deemed a credible threat? Information such as age, grade level, gender, race, religion, etc. He is concerned that false reporting might disproportionately impact those populations who are more likely to be profiled (black and brown youth). He suggested replacing the word “anonymous” with “private” so that there is accountability for the reporters as well. Further he wanted to know who has access to the database. High-level administration at the school, and GEMA, and on a need-to-know basis by other law enforcement agencies.

Representative Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) pointed out that the purpose of this reporting is not to catch students and put them on a list, but to give them the resources they need so that they are no longer deemed a credible threat. Representative Glaize remained firm that there needs to be a provision in the law itself that spells out what happens when a student has been deemed no longer to be a credible threat. She offered a friendly amendment that the Office of Safe Schools shall develop in conjunction with the State Board of Education and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities a process for a student/parent/guardian to request the closure of such student’s case on the S3 database. The author agreed and the amendment was adopted.

Representative Olaleye also offered an amendment to change the words “anonymous” and “anonymously” to “private” and “privately,” relating to peer reporting. The author rejected the amendment, noting that he feels anonymity is important for kids to feel safe to report something if they see something. The amendment failed on a voice vote.

The substitute, as amended, received a DO PASS recommendation and will move on to the Rules Committee.

House Ways & Means Committee

The House Ways & Means Committee, chaired by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), met on Monday afternoon to consider the following measures, which it recommended DO PASS:

• HB 7, authored by Representative Dar’Shun Kendrick (D-Atlanta), amends Title 48 to provide a tax credit for hiring workforce-ready graduates in high-tech jobs in rural Georgia, effective January 1, 2026, with a maximum credit of $12,000 per individual.
• HB 168, authored by Representative Mitchell Horner (R-Ringgold), amends Title 48 to require a local Act for the reimposition of the County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in Georgia, amending existing procedures and allowing for administrative flexibility in emergencies.
• HB 328, authored by Representative Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), amends Title 48 to increase the annual tax credit limit for contributions to student scholarship organizations to $200 million, adjusts business enterprise tax credit limits, and extends the contribution timeframe, effective July 1, 2025, for taxable years starting January 1, 2026.
• HB 341, authored by Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta), amends Title 48 to establish a tax credit for small employers in Georgia who offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements and includes a $5 million annual cap on total credits.
• HB 532, authored by Representative Buddy DeLoach (R-Townsend), amends Titles 12 and 48 to revise grant provisions for Georgia counties with significant state-owned unimproved real estate, ensuring no dual claims under related sections, and mandates annual eligibility assessments and funding requests by the Department of Natural Resources.
• HB 376, authored by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), amends Title 48 to increase tax credits for rehabilitating certified structures, with specific caps and conditions, effective from July 1, 2025, and applicable to taxable years starting January 1, 2025.
• HB 429, authored by Representative David Wilkerson (D-Powder Spring), amends Title 48 to exempt certain motor vehicles from ad valorem taxation in Georgia by creating a new subclassification for vehicles titled before March 1, 2013.
• HB 526, authored by Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta), amends Title 48 to extend the preferential tax assessment period for certain historic properties from nine to an additional 12 years, subject to county approval.

Prior to the convening of the full Committee, the various Ways & Means subcommittees recommended the following bills DO PASS and be sent to the full Committee for consideration at a later date:

• HB 266, authored by Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), amends Title 48 to exempt income from full-time active military service from Georgia state income tax, effective for taxable years starting January 1, 2026.
• HB 511, authored by Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), amends Titles 33 and 48 to allow for the creation of catastrophe savings accounts with tax benefits for contributions and interest, aimed at covering disaster-related expenses for primary residences.
• HB 577, authored by Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens), amends Title 48 to establish a directory for authorized nicotine vapor products in Georgia, require compliance with federal and state laws, and impose penalties for violations, contingent on funding appropriation.

New Legislation

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the House:

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the Senate: