SENATE FIRST READERS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 243. By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Ginn of the 47th, Cowsert of the 46th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing generally, so as to revise the authorized use of money distributed from the Back the Blue Fund; to revise collection procedures; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 244. By Senators Beach of the 21st, Albers of the 56th, Summers of the 13th, Robertson of the 29th, Tillery of the 19th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding the assessment and payment of costs of criminal proceedings, so as 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; to provide for procedures for assessing and paying such fees and costs; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 245. By Senators Hodges of the 3rd, Kennedy of the 18th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Hickman of the 4th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 19-7-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to actions by grandparents or other family members for visitation rights or intervention, revocation or amendment of visitation rights, appointment of guardian ad litem, meditation, hearing, and notification to family members of child's participation in events, to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Children and Families Committee. - 1 - SB 246. By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Wicks of the 34th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the O.C.G.A., relating to persons and their rights; to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Juvenile Code; to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to offenses against public health; to amend Title 19 of the O.C.G.A., relating to domestic relations; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education; to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health; to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance; to amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to physicians and others; to amend Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance; to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to taxes; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to public assistance; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 247. By Senators Still of the 48th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Hickman of the 4th, Dolezal of the 27th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 4 of Article 17 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sick, personal, and maternity leave for teachers and other school personnel, so as to increase from three to five the number of accumulated sick leave days teachers and other school personnel may take each school year for personal or professional reasons; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. - 2 - SB 248. By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Harbin of the 16th, Payne of the 54th and Hickman of the 4th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to establish and provide for the Georgia Council on Library Materials Standards; to provide for definitions, including definitions for the terms "harmful to minors," "restricted materials," and "sexually explicit materials"; to require the Georgia Council on Library Materials Standards to establish standards for the designation of restricted materials by local boards of education, standards for the use and restriction of instructional materials, and standards for the use and restriction of public school library collection materials; to provide for definitions; to provide for short titles; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. SB 249. By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Burns of the 23rd, Harbin of the 16th, Hickman of the 4th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide that, beginning in the 2031-2032 school year, a computer science course shall be a high school graduation requirement; to provide for certain computer science courses to be substituted for units of credit graduation requirements in certain other subject areas; to provide for such exception; to revise legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. - 3 - SB 250. By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Burns of the 23rd, Setzler of the 37th, Harbin of the 16th, Hickman of the 4th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the creation of and establish a purpose for the Wesley's Law Grant Program; to provide for the allocation of grant awards under such program; to require the Department of Education to pursue grant funding for such program from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust; to require the State Board of Education to establish award criteria, terms, and conditions for such program; to authorize the Department of Education to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement such program; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. SB 251. By Senators Jackson of the 41st and Goodman of the 8th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to encourage transparency and fairness with respect to rent pricing for residential properties; to prohibit landlords from failing to disclose the total rental price of any residential property and charging deceptive fees for any residential property; to provide for definitions; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. SB 252. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, McLaurin of the 14th, Esteves of the 35th, Goodman of the 8th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 37 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to acquisition and disposition of real and personal property generally, so as to provide for conveyance of municipal property interests to independent school systems; to provide for municipal replacement of such conveyed property; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee. - 4 - SB 253. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Dixon of the 45th, Hickman of the 4th, Kemp of the 38th, Still of the 48th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the State Board of Education to establish a three-year pilot robotics program for eligible public schools; to provide for eligibility; to provide for assessment and reporting on the impacts of the pilot program; to authorize the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the pilot program; to provide for waivers and variances of state rules, regulations, policies, and procedures if necessary; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. SB 254. By Senator Cowsert of the 46th: 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," so as to provide milligram limits on delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. SB 255. By Senator Cowsert of the 46th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding the General Assembly, so as to codify a process for the authorization of statutory investigatory powers to certain committees of the General Assembly; to provide for oaths and subpoena powers related to such investigatory powers; to provide for confidentiality of certain materials; to explicitly preserve any authority, immunity, privilege, or power granted to or possessed by the General Assembly or its members; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. - 5 - SB 256. By Senator Cowsert of the 46th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electric membership corporations and foreign electric cooperatives, so as to require an electric membership corporation to disclose certain acquisitions and other information to its members within a certain time frame; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. SR 248. By Senators Wicks of the 34th, Harbison of the 15th, Rhett of the 33rd, James of the 28th, Lucas of the 26th and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Charles Person; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 249. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Still of the 48th, Watson of the 11th, Goodman of the 8th, Jackson of the 41st and others: A RESOLUTION commending the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council upon its 50th anniversary; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 250. By Senators Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Harrell of the 40th, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing February 26, 2025, as DeKalb Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 251. By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Wicks of the 34th, Davenport of the 17th, James of the 28th, Jackson of the 41st and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 6 - SR 252. By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Jones II of the 22nd, Gooch of the 51st, Jackson of the 41st, Robertson of the 29th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Delta Air Lines on its centennial anniversary; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 253. By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Jones II of the 22nd, Gooch of the 51st, Jackson of the 41st, Robertson of the 29th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 11, 2025, as Georgia Linemen Day; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 254. By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Hodges of the 3rd, Burns of the 23rd, Ginn of the 47th, Anavitarte of the 31st and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognizing February 26, 2025, as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 255. By Senators Summers of the 13th, Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Walker III of the 20th and others: A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SR 256. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Lucas of the 26th, Orrock of the 36th, Watson of the 1st, Hatchett of the 50th and others: A RESOLUTION commending the restaurant industry of Georgia and recognizing February 26, 2025, as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 7 - SR 257. By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Williams of the 25th, Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th and Hickman of the 4th: A RESOLUTION recognizing February 26, 2025, as Charter Schools Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 258. By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Dolezal of the 27th, Walker III of the 20th, Setzler of the 37th, Robertson of the 29th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing February 27, 2025, as Georgia Airports Association Day; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 259. By Senator Mangham of the 55th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 260. By Senator Mangham of the 55th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending James S. Clark, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 261. By Senator Cowsert of the 46th: A RESOLUTION commending Georgia's lineworkers and recognizing April 14, 2025, as Georgia Lineworker Appreciation Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 262. By Senator Cowsert of the 46th: A RESOLUTION applying for a convention of the states under Article V of the United States Constitution; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 8 - HB 34. By Representative Washburn of the 144th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding professions and businesses, so as to establish on behalf of professional licensing boards under the jurisdiction of the office of the Secretary of State a continuing education tracking solution to monitor compliance of licensees with applicable continuing education requirements; to provide for definitions; to require compliance with continuing education requirements prior to the issuance of certain licenses; to provide for the adoption of rules and regulations; 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 78. By Representatives Franklin of the 160th, Carson of the 46th, Richardson of the 125th, Yearta of the 152nd and Cameron of the 1st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 20 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law," so as to raise the limit for the total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Retirement Committee. HB 124. By Representatives Scoggins of the 14th, Hawkins of the 27th, Hatchett of the 155th, Clark of the 100th, Newton of the 127th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 and Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to insurance and the state employees' health insurance plan and post-employment health benefit fund, respectively, so as to require coverage for healthcare services for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) in accordance with nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines; to provide for definitions; to allow for deductibles; to prohibit special deductibles; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. - 9 - HB 136. By Representatives Newton of the 127th, Blackmon of the 146th, Rhodes of the 124th, Cox of the 28th, Prince of the 132nd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to income taxes, so as to expand the tax credit for contributions to foster child support organizations to allow such organizations to include as qualified expenditures wraparound and mentorship services for justice involved youth; to expand the wraparound services that are qualified expenditures; to provide for such tax credits to be used by certain insurance companies against insurance premium tax liability; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for reporting and public website requirements; to provide for certifying and decertifying qualified organizations; to provide for information sharing and limitations thereof; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Finance Committee. HB 153. By Representatives Camp of the 135th, Kelley of the 16th, Williams of the 148th, Smith of the 138th, Clifton of the 131st and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-8-3.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sales and use tax exemptions for manufacturing equipment, industrial materials, packing supplies, and energy, so as to extend the sunset date for an exemption for maintenance and replacement parts for certain machinery or equipment used to mix or transport concrete; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Finance Committee. HB 164. By Representatives Meeks of the 178th, Hagan of the 156th, Buckner of the 137th, Dickey of the 134th, Cannon of the 172nd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dimensions and weight of vehicles and loads, so as to repeal automatic repeal provisions relating to an allowable variance for weight limitations upon a vehicle or load hauling certain commodities within a certain range and areas of the state; to provide for the enforcement of such provisions by local law enforcement officers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 10 - HB 182. By Representatives Lumsden of the 12th, Taylor of the 173rd, Cannon of the 172nd, Williamson of the 112th and Prince of the 132nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 25 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to life insurance, so as to prohibit a policy of group life insurance from excluding or restricting liability for certain deaths occurring while an individual is an active duty service member; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. HB 232. By Representatives Silcox of the 53rd, Hawkins of the 27th and Powell of the 33rd: 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 enter into an interstate compact known as the "Interstate Massage Compact"; to authorize the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy to administer the compact in this state; to provide definitions; to provide for conditions; to provide for eligibility; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. HB 287. By Representatives Rhodes of the 124th, Corbett of the 174th, LaHood of the 175th, McDonald III of the 26th and Cannon of the 172nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 12-2-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Advisory Council, duties of council and its members and director, appeal procedures generally, permit applications, and inspections, so as to update the reference date to standards, rules, and regulations; to amend Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to game and fish, so as to update the reference date to rules and regulations; to amend Code Section 52-7-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to penalty, so as to update the reference date to rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. - 11 - HB 352. By Representatives Seabaugh of the 34th, Cooper of the 45th, Mathis of the 133rd, Taylor of the 173rd, Reese of the 140th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 49-4-159.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to coverage for continuous glucose monitors, so as to revise coverage criteria to include Medicaid recipients with gestational diabetes; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. - 12 -