Senate first readers, 2025 March 28

SENATE FIRST READERS FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025 THIRTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 362.

By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Moore of the 53rd, Jones of the 10th, Williams of the 25th and Robertson of the 29th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, so as to allow all sworn law enforcement officers serving in and the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to be eligible for regular retirement benefits at the age of 55 years, certain disability benefits, and certain provisions for purchasing creditable service; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Retirement Committee.

SB 363. By Senator McLaurin of the 14th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 21-2-216 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualifications of electors generally, reregistration of electors purged from list, eligibility of nonresidents who vote in presidential elections, retention of qualification for standing as elector, evidence of citizenship, and check of convicted felons and deceased persons databases, so as to provide restrictions of voting rights for judicially incompetent persons; 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 Ethics Committee.

SB 364.

By Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Strickland of the 42nd, Tillery of the 19th, Summers of the 13th, Robertson of the 29th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 9 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulations of rates, underwriting rules, and related organizations, so as to provide for new penalties for insurers that knowingly give false or misleading information to the Commissioner of Insurance and such information affected insurance premium rates; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. - 1 -

SB 365.

By Senators Watson of the 11th, Goodman of the 8th, Anderson of the 24th, Echols of the 49th, Moore of the 53rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 2 and 4 of the O.C.G.A., relating to agriculture and animals, respectively, so as to enhance transparency with respect to the marketing of produce and meat in this state; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

SB 366.

By Senators Moore of the 53rd, Dolezal of the 27th, Brass of the 6th, Bearden of the 30th, Watson of the 11th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 and Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances and pharmacists and pharmacies, respectively, so as to provide for ivermectin as an over-the-counter medication in this state; to remove ivermectin from the definition of, exceptions to, and exemptions from dangerous drugs; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

SB 367.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Dolezal of the 27th, Watson of the 1st, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Robertson of the 29th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-6-47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from certificate of need requirements, so as to provide an exemption for health care facilities, services, and equipment dedicated exclusively to the treatment of cancer; to provide for conditions; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SR 475.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Goodman of the 8th, Kennedy of the 18th, Williams of the 25th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring and commending Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, for her exemplary service in strengthening the bonds between the State of Israel and the State of Georgia and for her steadfast friendship to the people of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted. - 2 -

SR 476.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Hickman of the 4th, Dixon of the 45th, Sims of the 12th, Williams of the 25th and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on Local School System Flexibility Options; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 477.

By Senators Echols of the 49th, Hatchett of the 50th, Gooch of the 51st, Dixon of the 45th and Ginn of the 47th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Carol H. Burrell; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 478.

By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Watson of the 1st, Cowsert of the 46th, Walker III of the 20th and others:

A RESOLUTION congratulating the Georgia Pharmacy Association upon its 150th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 479.

By Senators Orrock of the 36th, Parent of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Atlanta Postal Credit Union upon its 100th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 480.

By Senators Brass of the 6th, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Goodman of the 8th, Gooch of the 51st and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing the acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine beetle, particularly in the western region of this state, and encouraging all Georgia landowners to follow guidance by the Georgia Forestry Commission to mitigate the spread of this destructive pest; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

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SR 481.

By Senators Bearden of the 30th, Hickman of the 4th, Cowsert of the 46th, Echols of the 49th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Post 4 Villa Rica, recipient of the 2024 Post of the Year Award; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 482.

By Senators Bearden of the 30th, Cowsert of the 46th, Echols of the 49th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th and others:

A RESOLUTION urging the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to create a study committee for the purpose of making recommendations to the Senate with regard to how the State of Georgia can use advanced nuclear reactors to increase power generation and economic development in this state; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SR 483. By Senator McLaurin of the 14th:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to remove a conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude as an exception to the right to register and vote; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SR 484. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Hickman of the 4th and Watson of the 1st:

A RESOLUTION congratulating the Savannah State University men's basketball team for winning the 2025 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament Championship; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 485.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Kennedy of the 18th, Lucas of the 26th, Harbison of the 15th, Williams of the 25th and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Clarence "Ed" Barker; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 486.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th, Watson of the 1st and others:

A RESOLUTION commending Colt's Manufacturing Company for its commitment to safe and responsible firearms ownership; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 487.

By Senators Summers of the 13th, Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th and others:

A RESOLUTION supporting the Ray City Community Library's membership in state-supported public library services; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

SR 488.

By Senators Harbin of the 16th, Goodman of the 8th, Dixon of the 45th, Watson of the 11th, Payne of the 54th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Mr. Jim Battles upon his retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 489.

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Echols of the 49th, Hickman of the 4th, Harrell of the 40th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on Inclusive Educational Settings for Students with Disabilities; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 490.

By Senators Parent of the 44th, Davenport of the 17th, Wicks of the 34th, Jones II of the 22nd, Mangham of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Councilwoman Hue Nguyen for her service to the City of Morrow; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 491.

By Senators Parent of the 44th, Davenport of the 17th, Wicks of the 34th, Jones II of the 22nd, Mangham of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Cindy Duong as an Ambassador of Morrow in Economic Development; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 492.

By Senators Orrock of the 36th, Wicks of the 34th, Davenport of the 17th, Mangham of the 55th, Harbison of the 15th and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Hattie B. Dorsey; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 774.

By Representatives Crawford of the 89th, Drenner of the 85th, Mitchell of the 88th, Barnes of the 86th, Oliver of the 84th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of DeKalb County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 778. By Representative Dickey of the 134th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of Upson County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; 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 780. By Representatives Rhodes of the 124th and Williams of the 148th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Greensboro ad valorem taxes for municipal 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. HB 781. By Representative Dickey of the 134th:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of Crawford County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 785. By Representative Dickey of the 134th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Crawford County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; 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 786. By Representative Mathis of the 133rd:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Dodge County Building and Public Facilities Authority; to provide that such authority is a body corporate and politic and an instrumentality of the State of Georgia; to authorize the adoption of resolutions and the execution of trust indentures to secure the payment of such bonds and to define the rights of the holders of such bonds; to provide for a sinking fund; to provide that the property of the authority shall not be subject to levy and sale; to provide that certain moneys are trust funds; to provide that this Act shall be liberally construed; to define the scope of the authority's operation; to provide for disposition of property upon authority dissolution; to provide for severability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
HB 787. By Representatives Tarvin of the 2nd and Cameron of the 1st:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Chickamauga ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $50,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 70 years of age or older and have been residents of that city for at least five years; 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.
HB 788. By Representative Stinson of the 150th:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to create a board of elections and registration for Macon County and to provide for its powers and duties, approved June 3, 2003 (Ga. L. 2003, p. 4532), as amended, particularly by an Act approved June 30, 2020 (Ga. L. 2020, p. 3946), so as to rename the position of chief election official as the chief election supervisor; 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 789. By Representative Stinson of the 150th:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to create a new charter for the City of Oglethorpe, approved March 11, 1975 (Ga. L. 1975, p. 2630), as amended, so as to revise provisions relating to certain hearings of the governing authority; to revise provisions related to the powers of the mayor pro tem; to revise provisions related to filling vacancies on the mayor and council; to update provisions related to the municipal court; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
HB 790. By Representative Stinson of the 150th:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Macon County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
HB 791. By Representative Crowe of the 118th:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Butts County ad valorem taxes in the amount of $4,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for certain residents of the county who are 62 years of age or over, approved April 13, 2001 (Ga. L. 2001, p. 4289), so as to increase the exemption amount to $20,000.00; 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.
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HB 793.

By Representatives Townsend of the 179th, Sainz of the 180th and DeLoach of the 167th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from City of Brunswick ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in a designated percentage off such assessed value based upon length of ownership 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 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 794.

By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Neal of the 79th, Burnough of the 77th, Flournoy of the 74th, Douglas of the 78th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, approved February 8, 1955 (Ga. L. 1955, p. 2064), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 6, 2024 (Ga. L. 2024, p. 4178), so as to revise and update provisions relating to the code of ethics and the board of ethics; to provide for administrative and support services; to provide for budgetary independence of such board; to provide for returns to grand jury; to provide for examination and approval and failure of such returns; to provide for employment of ethics officer and ethics administrator; to provide for hearings; to provide for petitions; to provide for referral of potential criminal activity to law enforcement; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 797.

By Representatives Petrea of the 166th, Stephens of the 164th, Gilliard of the 162nd and Hitchens of the 161st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Interagency Council on Homelessness for Chatham-Savannah; to provide for a short title and definitions; to provide for findings; to confer powers and impose duties on the authority; to provide for the membership of the authority and their terms of office; to provide for meetings; to provide for a quorum; to provide for venue; to provide for tax exemptions from levy and sale; to provide for liberal construction; 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 798. By Representatives Mathiak of the 82nd and Camp of the 135th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act establishing the State Court of Spalding County, formerly known as the City Court of Griffin, approved December 14, 1897 (Ga. L. 1897, p. 462), as amended, so as to modernize, update, and readopt provisions governing such court and its judges, clerk, solicitor-general, and other personnel; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal specific Acts; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
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