Daily report, 2025 February 21

DAILY REPORT Friday
February 21, 2025
House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

21st Legislative
Day

The House will reconvene for its 22nd Legislative Day on Monday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Seven bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 58 Aviation; adoption of local ordinances, resolution, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 58 defines the term "ticketed entertainment event" and makes it illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft over or within 400 feet of a ticketed entertainment event without proper consent. It is specified that anyone found guilty of violating the terms of this bill will be punished as for a misdemeanor.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gary Richardson (125th) Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Yeas: 153 Nays: 4

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 167 Game and fish; authorize fluorescent pink hunting outer garments
Bill Summary: HB 167 revises restrictions relating to hunting feral hogs, bears, and deer. The bill makes the color fluorescent pink an acceptable outer garment color that can be worn while hunting these animals under specific circumstances.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Leesa Hagan (156th) Game, Fish, & Parks
Yeas: 159 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-18-2025 Do Pass

HB 181

Vital records; issuance of a Certificate of Foreign Birth by the state registrar without a judicial order if certain criteria is satisfied; provide
Bill Summary: HB 181 exempts a child who has automatically acquired U.S. citizenship following a foreign adoption and who possesses a Certificate of Citizenship in accordance with federal law from requiring a report of adoption from a court in order to acquire a 'Certificate of Foreign Birth'.

The state registrar will prepare a 'Certificate of Foreign Birth' upon production of the following documents: the child's Certificate of Citizenship; the child's certified foreign birth certificate; the original, certified documents related to the foreign adoption; the child's Social Security card; the parent's government issued photo identification; and the parent's proof of state residency.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ginny Ehrhart (36th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-11-2025 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Today on the Floor

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 154 Nays: 0

Amendments:

HB 192

Top State for Talent Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 192 creates the 'Top State for Talent Act', which references programs included in the High Demand Career List published by the State Workforce Development Board with respect to the State Board of Education's minimum course of study in career education for students in grades six through 12.

The bill aligns all workforce-related Code sections and incorporates all agencies that are performing workforce readiness. The High Demand Career List will be consulted when the Georgia Department of Education creates course work for career education. The bill also requires a report on articulation agreements to make sure students do not repeat courses for skills already mastered and completed.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th) Education
Yeas: 155 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-10-2025 Do Pass

HB 196

State employees' health insurance plan; drugs dispensed for self-administration; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 196 requires health insurers to reimburse a pharmacy for a drug dispensed to a covered person on the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) based on the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC). Additionally, the bill requires a professional dispensing fee that is not less than the professional dispensing fee paid by the state under the Social Security Act.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Health
Yeas: 168 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-10-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 205 Board of Homeland Security; development of a list of approved unmanned aircraft systems; provide
Bill Summary: HB 205 requires the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to develop a list of unmanned aircraft systems approved for use within this state.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Clark (100th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 162 Nays: 7

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 262

Community Health, Department of; grant program for purpose of acquiring and installing backup generators; provide
Bill Summary: HB 262 establishes a grant program to acquire and install backup generators in critical access hospitals. The Department of Community Health will work with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to set the criteria for these grants. Funding for the program will depend on appropriations from the General Assembly and the amount awarded to each recipient will be determined individually.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Angie O'Steen (169th) Rural Development
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Committee

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2025 Do Pass

HB 283 Motor vehicles; issuance of a refusal to sign citation; provide
Bill Summary: HB 283 allows individuals to have the option to sign a citation that details their obligation to appear for trial, and requires the individual to appear for trial should they not sign the citation. If the individual refuses signature, the officer will write "Refusal to Sign" on the citation and

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Today on the Floor

give it to that individual.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Yasmin Neal (79th) Motor Vehicles
Yeas: 155 Nays: 6

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-18-2025 Do Pass

SB 16

Public Officials; bail bond business; modify provisions
Bill Summary: SB 16 prohibits any member of the governing authority of a local government to engage directly or indirectly in a bail bond business within the jurisdiction of their respective local government.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Matt Brass (6th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 159 Nays: 6

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2025 Do Pass

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
HR 32 General Assembly; increase maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property - CA
Bill Summary: HR 32 amends the Georgia Constitution to increase the maximum acreage allowable as bona fide conservation use property from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

Authored By: Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th)

Rule Applied: Structured

Local Calendar
HB 226 Cochran, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: HB 226 annexes certain described property into the City of Cochran.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Danny Mathis (133rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 380 Lower Chattahoochee Regional Airport Authority; repeal Act Bill Summary: HB 380 repeals the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Airport Authority Act.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 381 Lower Chattahoochee Regional Transportation Authority; add Clay, Marion, and Webster counties
Bill Summary: HB 381 adds Clay, Marion, and Webster Counties to the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Transportation Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 396 Acworth, City of; adopt by reference a certain map Bill Summary: HB 396 adopts a map by reference of the City of Acworth boundaries.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Today on the Floor

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Lisa Campbell (35th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 404 Conyers, City of; revise city boundaries Bill Summary: HB 404 annexes certain described property into the City of Conyers.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Rhonda Taylor (92nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 412 Polk County Water Authority; reappointment of members; change certain provisions
Bill Summary: HB 412 revises the reappointment eligibility for Polk County Water Authority members.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 448 Gilmer County; appointment of a county surveyor; provide
Bill Summary: HB 448 abolishes the elected office of the county surveyor of Gilmer County, and creates the office of county surveyor to be appointed by the governing authority of Gilmer County with terms of one year.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Johnny Chastain (7th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 462 Toombs County; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum
Bill Summary: HB 462 provides a referendum to authorize Toombs County to exercise all redevelopment and other powers.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Leesa Hagan (156th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 468 Heard County; Board of Education; revise compensation of members
Bill Summary: HB 468 revises the compensation of the Heard County Board of Education to $450 per month for each member. Expenses for travel for meetings outside of the county will also be reimbursed.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Huddleston (72nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 476 Bryan County; ad valorem tax for educational purposes; provide a homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 476 provides a homestead exemption from City of Newnan ad valorem taxes in an amount by which the current year assessed value exceeds the base value of the homestead.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Today on the Floor

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Amendments:

HB 498 Garden City Charm and Tourism Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 498 authorizes Augusta-Richmond County to levy a hotel/motel tax.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Lynn Heffner (130th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-20-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 22nd Legislative Day, Monday, February 24, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, February
24, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 23rd Legislative Day.

HB 78

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; total percentage of funds invested in alternative investments; raise limit
Bill Summary: HB 78 allows the Firefighters Pension Fund to invest up to 20 percent of assets in alternative investments. The bill allows the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) of Georgia to invest up to 10 percent of assets in alternative investments.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lehman Franklin (160th) Retirement

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-18-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 124

Insurance; require coverage for healthcare services for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 124 requires that all health benefit policies administered by the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) in Georgia provide coverage for healthcare services related to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).

Coverage must align with nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines and apply to diagnosis, treatment, management, and monitoring of these conditions. The bill prohibits special deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments beyond those generally applicable to other covered healthcare services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (14th) Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-06-2025 Do Pass

HB 182

Life insurance; excluding or restricting liability for certain deaths occurring while an individual is an active duty service member; prohibit
Bill Summary: HB 182 prohibits group life insurance policies in Georgia from excluding or restricting liability for the death of an insured individual who is an active-duty service member, unless the death is directly or indirectly caused by war or a related act or hazard.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-06-2025 Do Pass

HB 232

Interstate Massage Compact Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 232 enters Georgia into the Interstate Massage Compact. The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy will administer the compact, which will become effective upon passage by the seventh member state and allows those who are licensed in a member state to practice in other member states.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Deborah Silcox (53rd) Regulated Industries

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-10-2025 Do Pass

HB 287

Environmental Protection Division; Environmental Advisory Council; update reference date to standards, rules, and regulations
Bill Summary: HB 287 updates multiple sunset dates and authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue free courtesy hunting or fishing licenses to paralyzed or disabled individuals participating in approved organized events.

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Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Next on the Floor

The bill also introduces a new fee structure for resident shellfish crew licenses. It creates two categories: one for up to 10 harvesters at an annual fee of $200, and another for unlimited harvesters at an annual fee of $400.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (124th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-18-2025 Do Pass

HB 352

Georgia Gestational Diabetes Management Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 352, also known as the 'Georgia Gestational Diabetes Management Act', includes patients with gestational diabetes on the list of those eligible for Medicaid covered continuous glucose monitors. The bill also removes the eligibility requirement for daily insulin administration.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Devan Seabaugh (34th) Public and Community Health

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-18-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Committee Actions

Committee Actions
Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar.

Education Committee

HB 267

Riley Gaines Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 267 amends various titles in the Code, known as the 'Riley Gaines Act', to provide for separate restrooms and changing areas for males and females during athletic events in schools and postsecondary institutions. Schools and postsecondary institutions must provide reasonable accommodations for individuals unwilling or unable to use a restroom or changing area designated for such individual's sex. The bill provides for separation according to sex for sleeping arrangements on school trips.

All public schools, local school systems, and postsecondary education institutions participating in competitions or athletic events must designate each team, competition, or athletic event as for males, females, or co-educational or mixed sex.

The bill provides for legislative findings on the importance of certain distinctions between the sexes, requiring any collector of vital statistics throughout Georgia to identify each individual as either male or female, and to replace the term "gender" throughout the Code with "sex."

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Josh Bonner (73rd) Education

Committee Action:

02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Higher Education Committee
HB 217 Education; make Dual Achievement Program a permanent state-wide program Bill Summary: HB 217 extends the Dual Achievement pilot program sunset date to July 1, 2031.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Soo Hong (103rd) Higher Education

Committee Action:

02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Motor Vehicles Committee

HB 208

Special license plates; support state parks and historic sites; establish
Bill Summary: HB 208 creates four specialty license plates. The first honors the Shepherd Center, with funds raised disbursed to Shepherd Center, Inc.; the second honors Georgia veterans and their families, with funds raised disbursed to the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; the third supports the Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites Division, with funds raised allocated to the same division; and the fourth promotes the conservation and enhancement of black bass populations, with funds raised allocated to the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 308

Motor vehicles; operation of miniature on-road vehicles on certain highways; provide
Bill Summary: HB 308 adds a definition for "miniature on-road vehicle" into Title 40 and lists its characteristics including: can transport people; operates between 25 and 45 miles per hour; has an overall width of 80 inches or less; is designed to travel on four plus wheels; uses a steering wheel; contains a non-straddle seat, has a gross vehicle weight of less than 4,000 pounds; and is not designed to be a golf cart, multi-purpose off-highway vehicle, or all-terrain vehicle.

The bill excludes miniature on-road vehicles manufactured 25 years prior to a registration application

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Daily Report for February 21, 2025

Committee Actions

from having to comply with federal emission standards unless the vehicle has been modified by an importer registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Further Code sections pertaining to license plates, license fees, registration, taxation returns, and vehicle operations are revised to include miniature on-road vehicles.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rob Clifton (131st) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 393 Safer Cycling in Georgia Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 393 creates the 'Safer Cycling in Georgia Act', which requires bicyclists to signal a left turn with their left arm extended horizontally, so long as conditions are safe for the cyclist to do so.

The bill states that those operating a bicycle while approaching a stop at an intersection should slow to a reasonable speed and yield the right of way to vehicles at the intersection. If there are no vehicles, the cyclist may proceed through the intersection without coming to a complete stop.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (45th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Committee Meeting Schedule
This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.legis.ga.gov to view all upcoming events.

Monday - February 24, 2025

02/24/2025 9:00 AM CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT (House)

406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

02/24/2025 9:00 AM RULES (House)

341 CAP VIDEO Agenda

02/24/2025 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD22) (House)

House VIDEO Chamber

02/24/2025 1:00 PM EDUCATION (House)

506 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

02/24/2025 1:00 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Tax 406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda (House)

02/24/2025 1:15 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Ad Valorem 406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda (Upon Adjournment of Income Tax) (House)

02/24/2025 1:30 PM JUDICIARY (Upon Adjournment) (House)

132 CAP VIDEO Agenda

02/24/2025 1:30 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Sales Tax 406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda (Upon Adjournment of Ad Valorem) (House)

02/24/2025 1:45 PM

Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public

406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

Finance and Local Policy (Upon Adjournment of

Sales Tax) (House)

02/24/2025 2:00 PM HEALTH (House)

403 CAP VIDEO Agenda

02/24/2025 2:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES (House)

606 CLOB VIDEO

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