SENATE FIRST READERS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025 TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 257. By Senator James of the 28th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapters 2 and 3 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Department of Human Services and county and district departments, boards, and directors of family and children services, respectively, so as to authorize local governments to adopt and implement affordable family housing assistance programs; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for the determination of median annual gross household incomes; to authorize the promulgation of rules and regulations; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Children and Families Committee. SB 258. By Senator James of the 28th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to establish the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program; to repeal provisions relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of midwives; to provide for a grant program promoting midwife-led birth centers; to require written disclosures to clients; to provide for authorized acts and duties of licensed midwives; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for nuisances; 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. - 1 - SB 259. By Senators Brass of the 6th, Dolezal of the 27th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Williams of the 25th, Hodges of the 3rd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to provide for certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; to provide for a physician holding temporary physical custody of a child based on a suspicion of child abuse or neglect to provide certain information to a parent or legal guardian and to the Division of Family and Children Services; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Children and Families Committee. SB 260. By Senators Williams of the 25th, Brass of the 6th, Watson of the 1st, Robertson of the 29th, Beach of the 21st and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to Department of Economic Development, so as to create the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority; to confer powers and impose duties on the authority; to provide for membership and appointment of members of the authority; to provide for terms of the members; to prohibit employees and members from having certain interests; to provide for revenue bonds; to provide for venue and jurisdiction; to provide for the authority's purpose; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for tax exemptions; to provide for supplemental powers; to provide for liberal construction; to provide for successor interests; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee. - 2 - SB 261. By Senators Harbin of the 16th, Strickland of the 42nd, Gooch of the 51st, Hickman of the 4th, Williams of the 25th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 25 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the magistrates retirement fund, so as to provide for an early retirement benefit; to provide for an employee contribution increase; to replace the statutory maximum monthly compensation used to calculate a benefit with an amount determined by the board; to increase the maximum number of years of service used to calculate a benefit; to provide for related matters; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Retirement Committee. SB 262. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Still of the 48th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for health benefit policies to cover preventive services; to provide for definitions; to prohibit cost-sharing requirements; to protect the eligibility of health savings accounts; to provide for review by the Commissioner of Insurance; 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. SB 263. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Sims of the 12th, Kemp of the 38th, Payne of the 54th and Parent of the 44th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-8-5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to law enforcement powers of school security personnel in each public school system of the state, certification, and carrying of firearms or weapons, so as to expand jurisdictional authority of certain law enforcement officers to include a specified area surrounding school property; to provide for a conforming change; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. - 3 - SB 264. By Senators Goodman of the 8th, Payne of the 54th, Jackson of the 41st, Brass of the 6th, Jones II of the 22nd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency management, so as to provide for the creation of the Georgia Resilience Office under the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency; to provide for a board of directors; to provide for the purpose, membership, and duties of such board; to provide for reports; to provide for the hiring of staff; to provide for compensation and funding; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. SB 265. By Senators Still of the 48th and Watson of the 1st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to require health benefit policy coverage for medically necessary orthotic devices and prosthetic devices and their materials and components; to provide for definitions; to provide for requirements; to provide for reporting; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and appropriations; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 266. By Senators Esteves of the 35th, Gooch of the 51st, Brass of the 6th, Jones II of the 22nd, Still of the 48th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 11 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, so as to revise the maximum amount of contributions allowed per beneficiary of savings trust accounts for higher education expenses; to amend Code Section 48-7-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to computation of taxable net income, so as to revise the deduction for contributions to savings trust accounts; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Finance Committee. - 4 - SB 267. By Senators Esteves of the 35th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Brass of the 6th, Jones II of the 22nd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state's Employee Benefit Plan Council, so as to require such council to establish health savings accounts and to continually provide for education or salary reductions for such accounts; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 268. By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st, Albers of the 56th, Bearden of the 30th and Payne of the 54th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to provide for the crime of interference with a first responder; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 269. By Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st and Kirkpatrick of the 32nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 37 of the O.C.G.A., relating to examination, treatment, etc., for mental illness, so as to provide certain procedures and notifications for involuntary outpatient commitments; 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. - 5 - SB 270. By Senators Watson of the 11th, Gooch of the 51st, Burns of the 23rd, Williams of the 25th, Kennedy of the 18th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to limit the effective date of rules or regulations adopted by the State Election Board prior to a general primary, general election, or runoff thereof; to provide for notice of such events to candidates and the selection of poll watchers for the same; to revise certain reporting requirements related to advance voting; to revise provisions related to locations poll watchers may have access to; to provide reporting requirements for the conclusion of the computation and canvassing of the returns; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Ethics Committee. SB 271. By Senators Islam Parkes of the 7th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for a permanent absentee voter list; to provide for procedures regarding such list; to provide for maintenance of such list; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Ethics Committee. SB 272. By Senators Kemp of the 38th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding landlord and tenant, so as to prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to provide income information; to authorize tenants to withhold rent payments under certain conditions; to provide for liability of landlords; to prohibit certain late fees; to provide for habitability; to prohibit retaliation; to provide for fair housing; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 6 - SB 273. By Senators Wicks of the 34th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to minimum wage, so as to revise certain provisions regarding the minimum wage law; to provide for an increase in the minimum wage; to provide for annual minimum wage increases to match the rising cost of living; to provide a credit toward the minimum wage for employers of tipped workers; to eliminate various eligibility exemptions from the minimum wage; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 274. By Senators Mangham of the 55th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for same-day registration and voting; to provide for procedures and notices; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Ethics Committee. SB 275. By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 17th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Merritt of the 9th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to barbers and cosmetologists, so as to remove the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers from the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State; to make such board a division of the Department of Public Health; to make conforming changes; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. - 7 - SB 276. By Senators Echols of the 49th, Strickland of the 42nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Tillery of the 19th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 49-4-148 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to recovery of medical assistance from third party liable for sickness, injury, disease, or disability, so as to revise certain provisions to comply with federal law; to bar liable third-party payers from refusing payment solely because a healthcare item or service did not receive prior authorization; to require a third-party payer to respond to an inquiry from the Department of Community Health regarding a healthcare claim within 60 days; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 277. By Senator Tillery of the 19th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to drug abuse treatment and education programs, so as to revise the definition of drugs to include alcohol and its derivatives; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB 278. By Senators Harrell of the 40th and Watson of the 11th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to standards, labeling, and adulteration of food, so as to require corn masa flour and wet corn masa products to contain certain amounts of folic acid; to provide for certain labeling requirements; to authorize rules and regulations; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. - 8 - SB 279. By Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Jones of the 10th, Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th and Davenport of the 17th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of workers' compensation, so as to require the State Board of Workers' Compensation to notify the Department of Administrative Services when the board has reasonable cause to believe that an injured worker is an eligible peace officer; to provide for a definition; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to require a certain notification to certain peace officers who become disabled in the line of duty under certain circumstances; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 280. By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st and Gooch of the 51st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commercial drivers' licenses, so as to provide standards for liability of an employer or insurance provider for actions relating to a commercial vehicle driver; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 9 - SB 281. By Senator Mallow of the 2nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Port Wentworth Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority; to provide for a short title; to provide for the appointment, terms, removal, and compensation of authority members; to provide for officers of the authority; to provide for an executive director and employees; to provide for meetings, quorums, and majorities; to provide for the duties and powers of the authority; to provide for tax statutes of the authority; to limit liabilities; to provide for budget oversight; to authorize the use of hotel-motel tax proceeds to fund the authority; to provide for inspections; to place limitations on authority contracts, agreements, obligations, and indebtedness; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. SB 282. By Senators Goodman of the 8th, Jackson of the 41st, Sims of the 12th, Williams of the 25th and Echols of the 49th: 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, the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to provide requirements for earned wage access services; to provide for fees that may be charged for such services; to provide for prohibitions; to provide for consumer protections; to provide that earned wage access payments are nonrecourse; to provide that earned wage access services shall not be considered lending activity or money transmission; to provide for definitions; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 283. By Senators Williams of the 25th, Summers of the 13th, Anderson of the 24th and Goodman of the 8th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 1 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certification of motor carriers, so as to repeal the authority of the Department of Public Safety to establish reasonable rates, fares, and charges for transportation by motor carriers of household goods; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 10 - SB 284. By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Brass of the 6th, Kennedy of the 18th, Strickland of the 42nd, Summers of the 13th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008," so as to authorize the issuance of orders by the Commissioner of Securities directing persons who have violated certain securities provisions to return to investors, customers, or clients sums paid in connection with securities purchases; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. SB 285. By Senator Robertson of the 29th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 and Part 4 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Emergency Communications Authority and emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system, respectively, so as to provide for an increase in the percentage of all 9-1-1 charges to be remitted to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; to amend Code Section 47-17-80 of the O.C.G.A., relating to retirement benefit options, payment to surviving spouse, requirements, effect of reemployment, effect of changes in retirement benefits, and payment on death of member, so as to provide for an increase in monthly benefits; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Retirement Committee. SB 286. By Senator James of the 28th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 15 and 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts and penal institutions respectively, so as to provide for substance abuse programs and mental health treatment programs in county and municipal jails for inmates and applicants to such programs; to provide for drug court divisions and mental health court divisions to establish procedures for voluntary admission into such programs; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. - 11 - SB 287. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Walker III of the 20th, Mallow of the 2nd, Orrock of the 36th, Merritt of the 9th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to create and establish a purpose for the Georgia Interested Parties Advisory Group within the Department of Community Health; to provide for such advisory group's composition and duties; to provide for the collection of certain data by the Department of Community Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; to provide for annual reports; to provide for definitions; 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 288. By Senators Islam Parkes of the 7th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Orrock of the 36th, Esteves of the 35th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-9-6.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to disclosure of certain information to persons undergoing certain surgical or diagnostic procedures, failure to comply, exceptions, and regulations establishing standards for implementation, so as to prohibit certain examinations on an anesthetized or unconscious patient without prior informed consent; to provide that informed consent shall be deemed valid consent for other medical personnel under certain conditions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB 289. By Senators Islam Parkes of the 7th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Esteves of the 35th, Orrock of the 36th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to codes of ethics for government service, so as to provide a definition of "formal charges" regarding ethical violations by members of certain boards, commissions, or authorities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes Referred to Government Oversight Committee. - 12 - SB 290. By Senator Anavitarte of the 31st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to provide for the certification of community health workers; to provide for definitions; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee; to provide for membership, powers, and duties of the committee; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date conditioned on appropriations; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SB 291. By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Walker III of the 20th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-86.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to special license plates promoting or supporting certain worthy agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations and qualified motor vehicles or drivers with proceeds deposited into the general fund, so as to establish an "America First" specialty license plate; to provide for conditions for the production of such license plates; to provide for discontinuing the manufacture of such license plates in certain instances; to provide for the disposition of funds to the general fund; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. SB 292. By Senators Jones of the 10th and Davenport of the 17th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 5 of Chapter 2 of Title 14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to venue relative to business corporations, so as to provide that certain domestic corporations maintaining a principal place of business in Georgia shall be deemed to reside and to be subject to venue in the county in Georgia where the defendant maintains such principal place of business; to provide for determinations regarding the principal place of business for certain domestic corporations; 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 Judiciary Committee. - 13 - SR 263. By Senators Ginn of the 47th, Hodges of the 3rd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Kemp of the 38th, Dixon of the 45th and others: A RESOLUTION congratulating the Jefferson High School volleyball team for winning the 2024 GHSA 3A Volleyball State Championship; and other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 264. By Senators Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Watson of the 1st, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others: A RESOLUTION commending the emergency medical services professionals of Georgia and recognizing February 28, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Recognition Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 265. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Samuel Micah Moon and dedicating an interchange in his memory; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. SR 266. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION encouraging the development of minority owned plasma collection centers and commending Furquan R. Stafford and other community activists; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SR 267. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Ms. Aj'anaye Hill and dedicating an intersection in her memory; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 14 - SR 268. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 18, 2025, as International Diaspora Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 269. By Senators Brass of the 6th, Hatchett of the 50th, Kemp of the 38th, Sims of the 12th, Merritt of the 9th and others: A RESOLUTION congratulating the University of Georgia women's tennis team for winning the 2025 ITA National Team Indoor Championship; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 270. By Senator Strickland of the 42nd: A RESOLUTION commending the South Atlanta Vascular Institute; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 271. By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Williams of the 25th, Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Still of the 48th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending MEAG Power on its 50th anniversary; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 272. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing February 27, 2025, as Douglas County Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 15 - SR 273. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 20, 2025, as Mableton Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 274. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 275. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Apostle Darryl L. Winston; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 276. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. Layli Maparyan; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 277. By Senator James of the 28th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 278. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Kemp of the 38th, Albers of the 56th, Still of the 48th, Orrock of the 36th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. Mike Looney, Georgia's 2025 Superintendent of the Year; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 16 - SR 279. By Senators Lucas of the 26th, Sims of the 12th, Anderson of the 43rd, Parent of the 44th and Jones II of the 22nd: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Anita Reynolds Howard, recipient of the 2025 Career Women's Network Women of Achievement Award; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 280. By Senators Beach of the 21st, Summers of the 13th, Brass of the 6th, Bearden of the 30th, Williams of the 25th and others: A RESOLUTION commending the Entertainment Tourism Alliance of Georgia (ETAG) and recognizing February 28, 2025, as Entertainment Tourism Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 281. By Senators Tillery of the 19th, Strickland of the 42nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Hodges of the 3rd and Echols of the 49th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Talmadge James on the occasion of her retirement; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 282. By Senators Bearden of the 30th, Albers of the 56th, Hodges of the 3rd, Williams of the 25th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others: A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study Committee on Funding for Next Generation 9-1-1 Sustainability; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. SR 283. By Senators Beach of the 21st, Summers of the 13th, Bearden of the 30th, Williams of the 25th and Still of the 48th: A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study Committee on Height Restrictions Surrounding Georgia Airports; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 17 - SR 284. By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Bearden of the 30th, Albers of the 56th, Setzler of the 37th and Robertson of the 29th: A RESOLUTION honoring fallen peace officers of Georgia and dedicating a road in their memory; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. SR 285. By Senators Jones of the 10th, Parent of the 44th, Jackson of the 41st, Jones II of the 22nd, Wicks of the 34th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing February 28, 2025, as Andrew J. Young Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 286. By Senators Still of the 48th, Jones of the 10th and Esteves of the 35th: A RESOLUTION recognizing October 20, 2025, as Diwali Day; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 287. By Senators Still of the 48th, Payne of the 54th, Cowsert of the 46th, Robertson of the 29th, Goodman of the 8th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Georgia Festival of Trees; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 288. By Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Strickland of the 42nd, Echols of the 49th, Robertson of the 29th, Rahman of the 5th and others: A RESOLUTION commending the Laotian American community in Georgia and honoring the Airavata flag; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 18 - SR 289. By Senators Davenport of the 17th, Jackson of the 41st, Esteves of the 35th, James of the 28th, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing February 28, 2025, as Georgia Caregivers Day; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 290. By Senators Islam Parkes of the 7th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Mallow of the 2nd, Esteves of the 35th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing the need for culturally competent risk assessment tools, targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SR 291. By Senators Harbison of the 15th and Robertson of the 29th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Marilyn House; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. HB 14. By Representatives Carpenter of the 4th, Tarvin of the 2nd, Crawford of the 89th and Fleming of the 114th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate cornbread as the official state bread of Georgia; to provide legislative findings and declarations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. - 19 - HB 108. By Representatives Bonner of the 73rd, Clark of the 100th, Prince of the 132nd, Cannon of the 172nd, Hitchens of the 161st and others: 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 provide certain protections for veterans and other eligible persons applying for benefits; to provide for limitations; to provide for violations; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. HB 115. By Representatives Petrea of the 166th, Stephens of the 164th, Franklin of the 160th, Townsend of the 179th, DeLoach of the 167th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to provide for certain notice upon registration of a vessel with the Department of Natural Resources; to provide for performance of unattended vessel checks; to authorize restitution to the Department of Natural Resources for the cost of removal, storage, and disposal of abandoned vessels; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. HB 131. By Representatives Reeves of the 99th, Gunter of the 8th, Leverett of the 123rd, Oliver of the 84th, Holcomb of the 101st and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to self-service storage facilities, so as to revise the advertisement requirements before an owner of a self-service storage facility can enforce an owner's lien; 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. - 20 - HB 134. By Representatives Camp of the 135th, Jasperse of the 11th, Burchett of the 176th, Corbett of the 174th, Williams of the 148th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to provide for definitions; to revise and expand a sales tax exemption for manufactured homes; to provide for a sunset date; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Finance Committee. HB 156. By Representatives Jones of the 25th, Thomas of the 21st, Hilton of the 48th, LaHood of the 175th and Crowe of the 118th: 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 provide the Department of Transportation with authority over vertiports; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. HB 171. By Representatives Thomas of the 21st, Jones of the 25th, Donatucci of the 105th, Hagan of the 156th, Carson of the 46th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to obscenity and related offenses, so as to repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80, relating to obscene material, distribution, and penalty; to prohibit distribution of computer generated obscene material depicting a child; to provide for a standard for obscenity; to provide for a penalty and probation; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to provide for sentencing of defendants who utilize artificial intelligence in the commission of certain crimes; to provide for notices for enhanced sentencing, and enhanced sentencing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 21 - HB 172. By Representatives Huddleston of the 72nd, Efstration of the 104th, Dickey of the 134th, Frye of the 122nd and Ford of the 170th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 6A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state veterinary education, so as to provide for limits on the student loan forgiveness program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Higher Education Committee. HB 176. By Representatives Smith of the 18th, Gunter of the 8th, Evans of the 57th and Miller of the 62nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appeal and error, so as to change a provision relating to judgments deemed directly appealable; to change provisions relating to cases requiring application of appeal; to provide for a definition; to provide for an out-oftime remedy for certain types of postjudgment relief in criminal cases; to provide for procedure and time frames; to change provisions relating to amendments on motions for new trial; to amend Code Section 17-7-93 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reading of indictment or accusation, answer of accused to charge, recordation of "guilty" plea and pronouncement of judgment, withdrawn guilty pleas, and pleas by immigrants, so as to provide for a time frame regarding the withdrawal of a guilty plea; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 22 - HB 208. By Representatives Smith of the 70th, Corbett of the 174th, Stephens of the 164th, Burchett of the 176th, Rhodes of the 124th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-86 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations with proceeds disbursed to the general fund and the agency, fund, or nonprofit corporation, so as to establish a specialty license plate supporting the state parks and historic sites division of the Department of Natural Resources; to establish a specialty license plate promoting conservation and enhancement of black bass populations; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. HB 222. By Representatives Blackmon of the 146th, Williams of the 148th, Ballard of the 147th, Jones of the 143rd and Efstration of the 104th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to bonds and recognizances in criminal proceedings, so as to require the inclusion of certain contact information on such bonds and recognizances; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. HB 233. By Representatives Townsend of the 179th, DeLoach of the 167th, Sainz of the 180th, Burchett of the 176th, Hagan of the 156th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate Brunswick stew as the official state stew; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. - 23 - HB 253. By Representatives Clark of the 100th, Gaines of the 120th, Jones of the 25th, Evans of the 57th, Kelley of the 16th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 and Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 19 of the Official Code Georgia Annotated, relating to the juvenile code and general provisions relative to child custody proceedings, so as to enact "Ethan's Law"; to provide limitations on ordering a child to be sent to a family reunification program; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Children and Families Committee. HB 308. By Representatives Clifton of the 131st, Wiedower of the 121st, Rhodes of the 124th, Corbett of the 174th, Dickey of the 134th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for the operation of miniature on-road vehicles on certain highways; to provide for standards for registration of such vehicles; to provide for issuance of license plates for miniature on-road vehicles; to provide for an annual licensing fee for such vehicles; to provide for issuance of certificates of title by the Department of Revenue for such vehicles; to provide for equipment and operating standards for such vehicles; to provide local authorities with the power to prohibit operation of miniature on-road vehicles; to require posting of notice of such prohibition upon highways; to revise and provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. - 24 - HB 392. By Representatives Martin of the 49th, Gunter of the 8th, Oliver of the 84th, Reeves of the 99th and Leverett of the 123rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5B of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax courts, so as to revise the dates for certain events regarding the Georgia Tax Court; to provide new dates for the beginning of the term and duties of the chief court judge; to provide new dates for the beginning date for accepting cases by the court; to provide for the transfer and disposition of certain cases pending before the Georgia Tax Tribunal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. HB 410. By Representatives DeLoach of the 167th, Lumsden of the 12th and Williamson of the 112th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance, so as to provide for efficiency in the practices of the Department of Insurance; to revise the statutory deposit requirement for foreign insurers; to remove fees for branch licensees; to revise application requirements for a domestic stock and mutual insurer; to remove the publication requirement for application, amendments, and surrenders for such insurer; to remove such publication requirement for charters, consolidations, and mergers of fraternal benefit societies; to revise application requirements for farmers' mutual fire insurance companies; to remove the licensure requirement for agency branches; 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. - 25 - HB 414. By Representatives Jones of the 25th, DeLoach of the 167th, Gunter of the 8th, Scoggins of the 14th and Holcomb of the 101st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to government transparency and campaign finance, so as to revise the definition of "person" to include certain nonresidents of the state; to provide the State Ethics Commission with supplementary investigatory powers related to persons, documents, or information located outside of the state; to revise venue provisions to address out-of-state persons; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Ethics Committee. HB 444. By Representatives Silcox of the 53rd, Gaines of the 120th, Jones of the 47th, Reeves of the 99th and Hilton of the 48th: 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. HR 121. By Representatives Camp of the 135th, Mathiak of the 82nd, Smith of the 70th, Jenkins of the 136th and Dickey of the 134th: A RESOLUTION recognizing Mr. John W. Mixon and dedicating a building in his honor; and for other purposes. Referred to State Institutions and Property Committee. - 26 -