Senate first readers, 2025 February 21

SENATE FIRST READERS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025 TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 221.

By Senators Still of the 48th, Summers of the 13th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and Hufstetler of the 52nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to massage therapy practice, so as to increase the number of education hours applicable to licensed massage therapists; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 222.

By Senators Davenport of the 17th, Sims of the 12th, Anderson of the 43rd, Jones II of the 22nd, Mallow of the 2nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Commission for the Blind and the Visually Impaired; to provide for an annual report; to provide for a complaint process; to amend Chapter 9 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, so as to establish the role of the commission in facilitating the operation by blind persons and other persons with disabilities of vending facilities on state property; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 223.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th, Esteves of the 35th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to liability of owners and occupiers of land, so as to limit liability for premises liability actions unless claimants can show certain facts; to provide for affirmative defenses; to provide for rebuttable presumptions; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SB 224. By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Jackson of the 41st and Parent of the 44th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 5 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Brady Law regulations, so as to provide for the establishment of a voluntary do not sell list for firearms; to provide for definitions; to provide for procedures and conditions for registration and removal from such list; to provide for penalties; to provide for limitation on the records relating to registration or removal; to provide for forms and rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 225.

By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Jackson of the 41st, Merritt of the 9th, Wicks of the 34th, Sims of the 12th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to education, so as to prohibit discrimination on the basis of an individual's race due to a protective hairstyle, or length thereof, in any student dress or grooming policy, program, or activity conducted by an educational institution that receives or benefits from state financial assistance, or enrolls students who receive state student financial aid; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 226.

By Senators Hufstetler of the 52nd, Williams of the 25th, Burns of the 23rd, Summers of the 13th, Albers of the 56th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations, so as to provide for the creation of the Peach State Saves program, a defined contribution retirement program; to provide for definitions; to provide for appointment of a board of trustees; to provide for limitations on liability; to provide for the confidentiality of program participants; to provide for a date for the establishment of the program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Retirement Committee.

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SB 227. By Senator McLaurin of the 14th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 34 of the O.C.G.A., relating to labor and industrial relations, so as to provide protections for freelance workers; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 228.

By Senators Esteves of the 35th, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Mallow of the 2nd and Jones II of the 22nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 17 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state depositories, so as to provide for the State Depository Board to allow the state treasurer to invest in bitcoin; to require the state treasurer to develop policies and procedures for the acceptance, storage, and transacting of bitcoin by the state; to require that bitcoin received or otherwise owned by the state shall be held in accordance with such policies and procedures; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.

SB 229.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th and Summers of the 13th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Hemp Farming Act," and Chapter 3 of Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of alcoholic beverages generally, so as to prohibit the issuance of wholesale consumable hemp licenses to wholesale dealers of alcoholic beverages; to prohibit wholesale dealers of alcoholic beverages from selling or otherwise distributing consumable hemp products; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

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SB 230.

By Senators Still of the 48th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Harbin of the 16th, Harbison of the 15th and Walker III of the 20th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to condominiums, so as to remove the limitation on the maximum amount of insurance deductibles payable by unit owners; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 231.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Gooch of the 51st, Bearden of the 30th, Robertson of the 29th, Goodman of the 8th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-11-173 of the O.C.G.A., relating to legislative findings, preemption of local regulation and lawsuits relative to firearms, and exceptions, so as to limit liability of a weapons, firearms, or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, owner or operator of a sport shooting range, or dealer for unlawful, intentional, or negligent acts of a third party involving the use of a weapon, firearm, or ammunition or activities relating to such that occur at a sport shooting range; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 232.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Sims of the 12th, Lucas of the 26th, Davenport of the 17th, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to disposition of property seized, so as to provide for the destruction of a firearm discharged at a person under 18 years of age; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SR 228. By Senators Mangham of the 55th and Merritt of the 9th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Joyce Lewis; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 229.

By Senators Beach of the 21st, Gooch of the 51st, Dolezal of the 27th, Kennedy of the 18th, Dixon of the 45th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Rudy Bowen for his service on the Georgia Department of Transportation Board; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 230.

By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Watson of the 1st, Summers of the 13th, Hodges of the 3rd and others:

A RESOLUTION commending Georgia's trauma professionals, the Georgia Trauma Commission, and the Georgia Trauma Foundation and recognizing February 26, 2025, as Trauma Awareness Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 231.

By Senators Albers of the 56th, McLaurin of the 14th, Beach of the 21st, Robertson of the 29th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Officer Jeremy Labonte and dedicating an interchange in his memory; and for other purposes.

Referred to Transportation Committee.

SR 232.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Strickland of the 42nd, Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A RESOLUTION commending the Boy Scouts of America in Georgia and recognizing February 26, 2025, as Scouts Day at the Capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 233. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd and Hickman of the 4th:

A RESOLUTION commending the City of Savannah and Mayor Van R. Johnson on the Mayor on the Move: Healthy Savannah Kids Club; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 234.

By Senators Esteves of the 35th, Halpern of the 39th, Harrell of the 40th, Kemp of the 38th, Parent of the 44th and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring Park Place Operations Inc. upon its 50th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 235.

By Senators Anderson of the 24th, Goodman of the 8th, Payne of the 54th, Still of the 48th, Echols of the 49th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Georgia Beverage Association; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 236.

By Senators Hickman of the 4th, Still of the 48th, Echols of the 49th, Parent of the 44th and Kemp of the 38th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Sam M. Bromberg; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 237.

By Senators Hickman of the 4th, Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Anavitarte of the 31st and Payne of the 54th:

A RESOLUTION urging the Professional Standards Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Early Care and Learning, the Office of Student Achievement, the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission, to provide recommendations to support the state's K-12 education workforce and teacher and school leader pipeline; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SR 240.

By Senators Davenport of the 17th, Wicks of the 34th, Sims of the 12th, Parent of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Jonesboro Majestic Marching Cardinals; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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HB 51.

By Representatives Burchett of the 176th, Corbett of the 174th, Greene of the 154th, O'Steen of the 169th and Ford of the 170th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, so as to authorize the authority to finance and perform certain duties in connection with projects relating to natural gas facilities; to revise definitions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for limited liability; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

HB 53.

By Representatives Bonner of the 73rd, Cannon of the 172nd, Clark of the 100th, Ballard of the 147th, Prince of the 132nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Georgia veterans cemeteries, so as to allow certain persons to be buried in Georgia veterans cemeteries; to provide for definitions; to provide for fees; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

HB 73.

By Representative Greene of the 154th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Education of Seminole County, approved March 14, 1983 (Ga. L. 1983, p. 3994), as amended, so as to provide that future elections for members of the board of education shall be nonpartisan; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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HB 85.

By Representatives Leverett of the 123rd, Efstration of the 104th, Burchett of the 176th, Hong of the 103rd, Gunter of the 8th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions concerning superior courts, so as to modify provisions regarding the compensation received by superior court judges; to amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual salaries of certain state officials and costof-living adjustments, so as to revise provisions relating to calculating and setting the salaries of superior court judges; to provide a definition; to amend Chapter 3 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to laws and statutes, so as to suspend the operation of local laws or local ordinances or resolutions that use a superior court judge's salary for the calculation of the salary or compensation of other officers, officials, or employees; to provide a short title; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

HB 86.

By Representatives Leverett of the 123rd, Efstration of the 104th, Burchett of the 176th, Hong of the 103rd, Gunter of the 8th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual salaries of certain state officials and cost-of-living adjustments, so as to revise provisions relating to calculating and setting the salaries of Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Appeals, the judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court, and the judge of the Georgia State Tax Court; to provide for effective dates; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

HB 90.

By Representatives Efstration of the 104th, Dickey of the 134th, Hagan of the 156th and Buckner of the 137th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

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HB 116.

By Representatives McDonald III of the 26th, Crowe of the 118th, Hitchens of the 161st, Lumsden of the 12th and Barrett of the 24th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 2 of Title 35 and Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the Department of Public Safety and motor vehicles and traffic, respectively, so as to change the name of the Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the Department of Public Safety to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement; to require law enforcement officers within such division be trained, sworn, and certified; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Transportation Committee.

HB 147.

By Representatives Thomas of the 21st, Jones of the 25th, Crowe of the 118th, Gullett of the 19th, Clifton of the 131st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 25 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Technology Authority, so as to provide for an annual inventory of artificial intelligence usage by state agencies; to provide for annual reports of such; to provide for the authority to develop and establish certain policies; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

HB 155.

By Representatives Anderson of the 10th, LaHood of the 175th, Cannon of the 172nd, Thomas of the 21st, Cox of the 28th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 36 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for resolving annexation disputes, so as to revise procedures for the selection and objection to arbitrators; to revise how arbitration panels report their findings and recommendations; to revise provisions relating to compensation of arbitrators; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee.

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