Senate first readers, 2026 February 10

SENATE FIRST READERS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 SIXTEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 479.

By Senators Kemp of the 38th, Mangham of the 55th, Howard of the 35th, Wicks of the 34th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance relative to elementary and secondary school students, so as to require the local governing body for each school system and public school to adopt a policy providing that students shall be granted not less than one excused absence per school year for attending or participating in a civic or political event; to require the State Board of Education to develop a model policy; to provide a definition; to provide a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 480.

By Senators Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th and Dickerson of the 21st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to kidnapping, false imprisonment, and related offenses, so as to revise provisions relative to the offenses of interference with custody and interstate interference with custody; to require law enforcement officers to issue a citation to persons suspected of interference with custody to appear in court within a time certain to present properly executed documentation or other tangible evidence showing that such person's conduct was authorized; to require preliminary hearings within seven business days of the issuance of such citations; to provide an applicable standard for probable cause; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SB 481.

By Senators Parent of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd, Mangham of the 55th, Jackson of the 41st, Harrell of the 40th 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 require Medicaid coverage for heart and lung transplants when medically necessary; to provide for related healthcare services including immunosuppressant drugs; to provide for a state plan amendment or waiver request; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 482.

By Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Robertson of the 29th, Bearden of the 30th, Tillery of the 19th, Anderson of the 43rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to require persons requesting booking photographs to provide the first and last names of the individuals in the photographs; to require requests for booking photographs to be made as separate requests; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 483.

By Senators Parent of the 44th, Mangham of the 55th, 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 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to require covered immigration officers to wear body cameras during public immigration enforcement functions; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

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SR 727.

By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Mangham of the 55th, Wicks of the 34th, Sims of the 12th, Harbison of the 15th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing the Eta Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 728.

By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Robertson of the 29th, Payne of the 54th, Hatchett of the 50th, Tillery of the 19th and others:

A RESOLUTION celebrating the love, legacy, and faithful commitment of the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. Erik L. Peterson and Mrs. Karen K. Peterson; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 729.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th, Merritt of the 9th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending and honoring former President Barack Obama during Black History Month and condemning racist attacks and rhetoric directed toward him; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 730.

By Senators Kemp of the 38th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 17th, Howard of the 35th, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Meals on Wheels Atlanta for its 60 years of service to seniors and vulnerable individuals by addressing food insecurity, promoting independence, and enhancing quality of life; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 731.

By Senators Kemp of the 38th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 17th, Howard of the 35th, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A RESOLUTION congratulating the Creekside High School Seminoles football team upon winning the 2025 GHSA Class 4A State Football Championship; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 732.

By Senators Kemp of the 38th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 17th, Howard of the 35th, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Every Color Matters for its outstanding service, advocacy, and dedication to improving public health and ensuring equitable access to cancer care; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 733.

By Senators Kemp of the 38th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 17th, Howard of the 35th, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing the North Atlanta High School sabre fencing team for winning the 2023, 2024, and 2025 On Guard High School Fencing League of Georgia Sabre Team state championships; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 734.

By Senators Burns of the 23rd, Hickman of the 4th, Harrell of the 40th, Payne of the 54th, Williams of the 25th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. Ekaterina Mirzakulova; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 735.

By Senators Burns of the 23rd, Tillery of the 19th, Harrell of the 40th, Payne of the 54th, Hickman of the 4th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Jason Colbert; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 736.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Wicks of the 34th, Orrock of the 36th, Davenport of the 17th, Jackson of the 41st and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Marji Coles and Ladies of 2morrow; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 737.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Strickland of the 42nd, Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 17th, Williams of the 25th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. John Pace, III, on his outstanding public service as a superintendent of Henry County Schools; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 738.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Bearden of the 30th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dixon of the 45th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 11, 2026, as Kia Day at the state capitol and commending Kia's vehicle manufacturing and impact to the state; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 739.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Bearden of the 30th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dixon of the 45th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 26, 2026, as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the state capitol and commending law enforcement officers in Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 740.

By Senators Parent of the 44th, Jackson of the 41st, McLaurin of the 14th, Harrell of the 40th, Wicks of the 34th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Kelly Walsh; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 741.

By Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st, Bearden of the 30th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 742.

By Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Ginn of the 47th, Payne of the 54th, Bearden of the 30th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending Ms. Janice Knight for her selfless acts and service to her community; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 743. By Senator Bearden of the 30th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Joann Herrell; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 632.

By Representatives Bonner of the 73rd, Jenkins of the 136th, Blackmon of the 146th, Holcomb of the 101st, Williams of the 168th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to disabled veterans and blind persons engaging in peddling, operating businesses, or practicing professions, so as to clarify certain veterans' eligibility for exemption with regard to payment of occupation taxes, administrative fees, and regulatory fees; to provide a definition of "armed conflict" consistent with current federal law; to provide for armed conflicts to be equivalent to periods of war with regard to certain exemptions; to provide for certain procedures; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

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HB 657.

By Representatives Hagan of the 156th, Dempsey of the 13th, Cameron of the 1st, Buckner of the 137th, Willis of the 55th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mental health, so as to provide for the qualifications of recovery community organizations for substance use; to provide for definitions; to provide for the certification of peer specialists; to provide for the approval of certification training bodies; to designate one state-wide recovery community organization; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 676.

By Representatives Clifton of the 131st, Gunter of the 8th, Reeves of the 99th, Wiedower of the 121st, Persinger of the 119th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen relative to liens, so as to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

HB 957.

By Representatives Clifton of the 131st, Corbett of the 174th, Persinger of the 119th, Camp of the 135th, New of the 40th 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 require posting of notice of such prohibition upon highways; to revise and provide for a definition; to amend Code Section 48-5-473 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to returns for taxation and application for and issuance of license plates upon payment of taxes due, so as to provide for payment of ad valorem taxes upon such vehicles; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

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HB 1215. By Representatives Parrish of the 158th, Jackson of the 128th, Hagan of the 156th and Prince of the 132nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the number of judges of superior courts, so as to provide for a third judge of the superior courts of the Middle Judicial Circuit; to provide for the appointment and term of such additional judge by the Governor; to authorize the governing authority of the counties comprising the Middle Judicial Circuit to provide facilities, office space, supplies, equipment, and personnel for such judges; to declare inherent authority; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Judiciary Committee.
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