SENATE FIRST READERS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025 TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 233. By Senator Brass of the 6th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 1 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission, so as to revise the subcommittees; to extend the automatic repeal date; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB 234. By Senator Payne of the 54th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Dalton independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. - 1 - SB 235. By Senator Payne of the 54th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Whitfield County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. SB 236. By Senators Wicks of the 34th, Payne of the 54th, Merritt of the 9th, Goodman of the 8th, Brass of the 6th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-150 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility for enrollment under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as 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; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. SB 237. By Senators Strickland of the 42nd and Anderson of the 43rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating and establishing the Newton County Public Facilities Authority, approved June 29, 2020 (Ga. L. 2020, p. 3600), so as to revise provisions regarding contracts and borrowing of funds; to revise provisions regarding revenue bonds; to revise provisions regarding credit not pledged; to provide for distribution of assets of the authority upon dissolution; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. - 2 - SB 238. By Senator Anderson of the 43rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating a board of commissioners for Rockdale County, approved March 4, 1977 (Ga. L. 1977, p. 2817), as amended, so as to increase the board of commissioners to five members; to revise the office of chairperson; to provide for initial terms of office; to provide for a county manager; to revise provisions related to the powers and duties of the board of commissioners, chairperson, and county manager; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for related matters; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for mandatory execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. SB 239. By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Robertson of the 29th, Harbin of the 16th, Mallow of the 2nd and Williams of the 25th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to funeral directors and establishments, embalmers, and crematories, so as to remove the requirement that funeral directors be licensed embalmers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. SB 240. By Senators Williams of the 25th, Brass of the 6th, Cowsert of the 46th, Robertson of the 29th and Burns of the 23rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, so as to designate April of each year as Georgia Native Plant Month; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. - 3 - SB 241. By Senators Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, Mallow of the 2nd, Robertson of the 29th and Parent of the 44th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 18 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to funeral directors and establishments, embalmers, and crematories, so as to provide for the organic human reduction as a means of disposing of deceased human bodies; to amend Titles 10, 31, and 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to commerce and trade, health, and local government, respectively, so as to require a disposition permit for the organic human reduction of a dead human body or fetus; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. SB 242. By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Watson of the 1st, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th, Strickland of the 42nd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 4 of Chapter 13 of Title 45 and Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Capitol Art Standards Commission and state flag, seal, and other symbols, respectively, so as to provide for duties and responsibilities of the commission; to provide for the placement of a monument in honor of the Honorable Clarence Thomas within the Nathan Deal Judicial Center; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SR 238. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Sims of the 12th, Kemp of the 38th, Davenport of the 17th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Cynthia Robinson Alexander; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 239. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Sims of the 12th, Kemp of the 38th, Davenport of the 17th and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the inspiring journey and achievements of Nolan Sental Smith Jr.; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 4 - SR 241. By Senators Williams of the 25th, Payne of the 54th, Robertson of the 29th, Burns of the 23rd and Hickman of the 4th: A RESOLUTION commending Georgia Military College on its 145th anniversary; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 242. By Senators Hatchett of the 50th and Tillery of the 19th: A RESOLUTION congratulating Stephens County Hospital; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 243. By Senator Harbison of the 15th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Reverend Lee C. Franklin; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 244. By Senators Rhett of the 33rd and James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION encouraging all states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and commending those states which have already done so; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SR 245. By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Echols of the 49th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st and others: A RESOLUTION commending Doug Collins; and for other purposes. Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. - 5 - SR 246. By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hatchett of the 50th, Beach of the 21st and others: A RESOLUTION commending President Donald J. Trump; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SR 247. By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st and others: A RESOLUTION commending Kelly Loeffler; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. HB 58. By Representatives Richardson of the 125th, Leverett of the 123rd, Thomas of the 21st, Clifton of the 131st, Crowe of the 118th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to aviation, so as to authorize the adoption of local ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. HB 167. By Representatives Hagan of the 156th, Efstration of the 104th, Cannon of the 172nd, Dubnik of the 29th and O'Steen of the 169th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hunting, so as to authorize fluorescent pink hunting outer garments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. - 6 - HB 181. By Representatives Ehrhart of the 36th, Camp of the 135th, Hilton of the 48th, Donatucci of the 105th and Silcox of the 53rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to vital records, so as to provide for the issuance of a "Certificate of Foreign Birth" by the state registrar without a judicial order if certain criteria is satisfied; to provide for necessary forms; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Children and Families Committee. HB 192. By Representatives Gambill of the 15th, McDonald III of the 26th, Hong of the 103rd, Dubnik of the 29th and Wade of the 9th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, so as to include specific references to programs included in the High-demand Career List published by the State Workforce Development Board with respect to the State Board of Education's minimum course of study in career education for students in grades six through 12; to amend Chapter 14 of Title 34 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the State Workforce Development Board, so as to provide for evaluation methodology, reports, and purpose; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Higher Education Committee. HB 196. By Representatives Kelley of the 16th, Taylor of the 173rd, Hatchett of the 155th, Hugley of the 141st, Jasperse of the 11th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state employees' health insurance plan, so as to require that drugs dispensed to a covered person for self-administration under a state health plan be reimbursed using a transparent, index based price, plus a dispensing fee; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. - 7 - HB 205. By Representatives Clark of the 100th, Gaines of the 120th, Jones of the 25th, Crowe of the 118th, Greene of the 154th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 and Article 2A of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to aviation and the Board of Homeland Security, respectively, so as to provide for the development of a list of approved unmanned aircraft systems for use in this state by the Board of Homeland Security; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. HB 226. By Representative Mathis of the 133rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Cochran, approved April 11, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5162), as amended, so as to change the corporate limits of such municipality; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 283. By Representatives Neal of the 79th, Hitchens of the 161st, Lumsden of the 12th and Holcomb of the 101st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-13-2.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to signature on citations required, effect of failure to sign, exemption for out-of-state drivers, and electronic capture of signature, so as to provide for the issuance of a refusal to sign citation; to provide for a penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. - 8 - HB 380. By Representative Greene of the 154th: A BILL To be entitled an Act to repeal an Act creating the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Airport Authority, approved May 5, 2006 (Ga. L. 2006, p. 4422), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 28, 2010 (Ga. L. 2010, p. 3570) and an Act approved April 11, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5050); to provide for the assets and liabilities thereof; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 381. By Representatives Greene of the 154th and Cheokas of the 151st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to create the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Transportation Authority, approved April 11, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5019), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 25, 2022 (Ga. L. 2022, p. 5725), so as to add Clay, Marion, and Webster counties to the authority; to revise provisions for the appointment of members; to add references to said additional counties to provisions related to credit not pledged, tort immunity, and effects on other governments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 396. By Representatives Campbell of the 35th, Ridley of the 22nd, Ehrhart of the 36th, Seabaugh of the 34th, McQueen of the 61st and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to reincorporate and provide a new charter for the City of Acworth, approved February 17, 1989 (Ga. L. 1989, p. 3512), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 6, 2024 (Ga. L. 2024, p. 4039), so as to adopt by reference a certain map; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. - 9 - HB 404. By Representatives Taylor of the 92nd, Moore of the 91st and Carter of the 93rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating a new charter for the City of Conyers, approved March 16, 1978 (Ga. L. 1978, p. 3868), as amended, so as to revise the city boundaries; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 412. By Representative Kelley of the 16th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Polk County Water Authority, approved April 14, 1967 (Ga. L. 1967, p. 3108), as amended, so as to change certain provisions relating to the reappointment of members of the Authority; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 448. By Representative Chastain of the 7th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to abolish the office of elected county surveyor of Gilmer County; to provide for the appointment of a county surveyor by the governing authority of the county; to provide that the person currently serving as elected county surveyor shall serve out the remainder of his or her term; to provide for successors; to provide for qualifications; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 462. By Representative Hagan of the 156th: A BILL To be entitled an Act to authorize Toombs County to exercise all redevelopment and other powers provided for under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII(b) of the Georgia Constitution and Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the "Redevelopment Powers Law," as amended; to provide for a referendum; to provide for effective dates; to provide for automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. - 10 - HB 468. By Representative Huddleston of the 72nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for the Heard County Board of Education, approved March 28, 1985 (Ga. L. 1985, p. 5078), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 3, 2018 (Ga. L. 2018, p. 3613), so as to revise the compensation of the members of the Heard County Board of Education; 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 Committee. HB 476. By Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Petrea of the 166th and Franklin of the 160th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Bryan County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for a short title; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 498. By Representatives Heffner of the 130th, Howard of the 129th, Myles of the 126th, Newton of the 127th and Prince of the 132nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. - 11 -