Daily report, 2025 February 26

DAILY REPORT Wednesday
February 26, 2025
House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

23rd Legislative
Day

The House will reconvene for its 24th Legislative Day on Thursday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Eleven bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 14 State symbols; cornbread as official state bread; designate Bill Summary: HB 14 designates corn bread as the official state bread of Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Kasey Carpenter (4th) Special Rules
Yeas: 157 Nays: 4

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-19-2025 Do Pass

HB 91

Professions and businesses; licensure for graduates of foreign colleges or schools of veterinary medicine who are board certified in a specialty; provide
Bill Summary: HB 91 allows graduates of a foreign veterinary medicine school who are able to submit a transcript, who have completed a residency program of two or more years, and have received board certification from a veterinary medicine organization recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Board of Veterinary Specialties, or other American Veterinary Medical Association board-approved organizations to be able to apply for a veterinary license in Georgia.

A graduate may additionally submit an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certificate or its equivalent, a Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) certificate or its equivalent, or any other document authorized by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine. The bill does not prohibit someone licensed in this way from lecturing or giving instructions in their certified veterinary medicine specialty.

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

Rep. Sharon Cooper (45th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Committee

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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

HB 108

Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act or SAVE Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 108, also known as the 'Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or 'SAVE Act', outlines provisions relating to third-party entities assisting veterans in obtaining benefits. The bill prohibits a person from receiving compensation for referring a veteran to benefits-related assistance or advisement. Additionally, compensation cannot be received for services rendered on a claim filed within the one-year presumptive period of active-duty release without a veteran's acknowledgement of available free services through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Today on the Floor

Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

Anyone seeking to be compensated for veterans benefit services is required to disclose the amount to be paid, which must be contingent upon an increase in benefits and no more than five times the amount of a monthly increase. Initial and nonrefundable fees are prohibited. A written disclosure outlined in the bill is required to be provided to the veteran client prior to services being rendered. Lastly, background checks must be conducted for all persons providing such services.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Josh Bonner (73rd) Defense & Veterans Affairs
Yeas: 158 Nays: 10

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-11-2025 Do Pass

HB 115 Natural Resources, Department of; certain notice upon registration of a vessel; provide
Bill Summary: HB 115 establishes procedure and policy for discovery and subsequent removal of vessels abandoned or left unattended on public property or in public waters of this state.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Game, Fish, & Parks
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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

HB 131

Self-service storage facilities; revise advertisement requirements before an owner can enforce an owner's lien
Bill Summary: HB 131 revises self-service storage facility advertising requirements so that storage facility owners attempting to enforce a lien are not required to advertise an auction once a week for two consecutive weeks, but are instead required to publish an auction advertisement once in the legal organ for the county or in any other commercially reasonable manner. The advertisement is deemed commercially reasonable if at least three independent bidders attend the auction.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Matt Reeves (99th) Judiciary
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-04-2025 Do Pass

HB 134 Sales and use tax; manufactured homes; revise and expand exemption
Bill Summary: HB 134 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-3, relating to sales and use tax, by eliminating language that excludes the local portion of sales and use tax from a 50 percent exemption on the sales price of a manufactured home that has been converted to real property.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 160 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 156 Transportation, Department of; authority over vertiports; provide
Bill Summary: HB 156 defines the term "vertiport" and includes vertiports in the definition of "landing field". The bill also grants the Department of Transportation authority over vertiports.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Todd Jones (25th) Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Yeas: 162 Nays: 7

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 171 Crimes and offenses; obscenity; repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80
Bill Summary: HB 171 is the 'Illegal AI Activities Act'. Section 2 creates the criminal offense of computer-generated obscene material depicting a child, which is committed when someone knowingly distributes, solicits, or possesses with intent to distribute images, videos, drawings,
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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Today on the Floor

sculptures, or paintings that: 1) include realistic depictions of what appears to be a child; 2) are obscene, and 3) were created through the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) system. The penalty for the crime is between one and 15 years imprisonment, and judges can sentence a convicted individual to certain probation requirements within O.C.G.A. 42-8-35(b), including certain protections for minors; remote monitoring; and prohibitions involving using drones or seeking election to a local school board.

Section 2 is a potential sentencing enhancement. It designates certain crimes, which when conducted using an AI system carry increased sentences.

The applicable crimes are: 1) stalking; 2) aggravated stalking; 3) exploitation of a disabled adult, elder person, or resident; 4) enticing a child for indecent purposes; 5) publication or other dissemination of the name or identity of female raped or assaulted with intent to commit rape in violation of 16-6-23; 6) theft offenses; 7) criminal reproduction and sale of recorded material; 8) residential mortgage fraud; 9) forgery and fraudulent practices crimes; 10) offenses against public administration crimes; 11) offenses against public order and safety crimes; 12) offenses against public health and morals crimes; and 13) fraudulent election interference in violation of 21-2-604.

Using an AI system is defined as being the proximate cause of an AI system receiving an input or providing an output. Written notice must be given between the time the indictment or accusation is filed and the arraignment that the prosecution intends to seek the enhanced penalties. The standard is beyond a reasonable doubt, and the trier of fact must determine if the defendant knowingly and intentionally utilized an AI system in the commission of the offense.

The enhancement is between six and 12 months of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000 if the crime is a misdemeanor, and a minimum of two years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000 if the crime is a felony. Section 4 changes references from the existing obscenity statute to reflect this new statute to avoid potential constitutional concerns.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Brad Thomas (21st) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 160 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 172

Veterinary education; limits on student loan forgiveness program; provide
Bill Summary: HB 172 clarifies eligibility for the Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program to include former students and specifies that applicants must have practiced in the required specialty for 10 years or less. The maximum award amount for repayment is increased from $80,000 to $90,000, to be paid in increments of $30,000 per 12 months of service.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Huddleston (72nd) Higher Education
Yeas: 164 Nays: 4

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass

HB 176 Appeal and error; judgments deemed directly appealable; change a provision Bill Summary: Section 1-1 of HB 126 defines the term "final judgment" to include cases in which some counts are ordered "dead docketed", so that the case will not remain pending and unable to be appealed. This is a response to the Supreme Court of Georgia's decision in Seals v. Georgia (2021).
Section 1-2 provides the statutory authority for the applicable appellate courts to hear direct appeals from guilty pleas on appeal.
Section 1-3 allows a defendant who missed the deadline for filing a motion for a new trial or notice of appeal, but is still within 100 days of that deadline, to file an out-of-time motion for that new trial or notice of appeal, if they can meet certain requirements.
The requirements are: 1) the defendant must file an initial motion that would later allow for the outof-time motion, if approved; 2) the defendant must show the court one of the following rationales for
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Today on the Floor

missing the deadline: A) has the consent of the state, B) can show excusable neglect, C) can show that failure to timely file the motion for new trial or notice of appeal was due to the deficient performance of their counsel, or D) can show other good cause; and 3) if the judge grants the initial motion, then the defendant has 30 days to file the out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal with that judge. The judge has discretion to allow for extensions of time on this motion.

Further, those who had their original out-of-time appeal dismissed due to the Supreme Court of Georgia's decision in Cook v. State (2022), or a case following its precedent, for leave to file another motion until June 30, 2026. An indigent defendant is entitled to representation for both the original motion and, if approved, the subsequent out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal.

Section 2-1 clarifies that when a defendant substantially amends their motion for a new trial, then the prosecution will be given 10 days to respond and present evidence, although the court has discretion to provide a longer amount of time.

Section 3-1 allows a person to withdraw their guilty plea that results in a conviction after the term of the court ends so long as it is still within 30 days of the entry of the judgment, to address caselaw that said the defendant lacked jurisdiction to allow the defendant to withdraw their guilty plea when the term of court in which that defendant was sentenced expired.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Tyler Smith (18th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 168 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Motor Vehicles
Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 222 Criminal procedure; inclusion of certain contact information on bonds and recognizances; require
Bill Summary: HB 222 requires a bond to include the full name, email address, and phone number of the principal and each surety.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 169 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass

HB 233 State symbols; Brunswick stew as the official state stew; designate Bill Summary: HB 233 designates Brunswick stew as the official state stew of Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Rick Townsend (179th) Special Rules
Yeas: 152 Nays: 2

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-19-2025 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Today on the Floor

HB 253 Ethan's Law; enact
Bill Summary: HB 253 is known as 'Ethan's Law'. Section 2 prohibits juvenile courts from ordering family reunification or unification treatments, programs, or services, including camps, workshops, therapeutic vacations, or educational programs.

Section 3 defines the term "family reunification or unification treatments, programs, or services" as those that provide educational or experiential workshops, and operates as or utilizes youth transporters or private transportation agents.

Section 4 prohibits a judge from ordering family reunification or unification treatments, programs, or services that as a condition of enrollment require or result in: A) a violation of a court order requiring a child to have no contact with their parent or legal guardian; B) the use of private youth transporters or private transportation agents engaged in the use of force, the threat of force, physical obstruction, acutely distressing circumstances, or circumstances that place the safety of the child at risk; C) a nocontact period between the child and their parent or legal guardian; or D) an out-of-state stay.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Clark (100th) Judiciary, Juvenile
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-20-2025 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 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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Rob Clifton (131st) Motor Vehicles
Yeas: 170 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 392 Georgia Tax Court; certain events; revise dates
Bill Summary: HB 392 revises dates related to the establishment of the Georgia Tax Court, with the initial chief judge serving an initial term beginning on April 1, 2026, and persons able to petition the court for relief beginning on and after July 1, 2026.

All contested cases pending before the Georgia Tax Tribunal as of June 30, 2026, will automatically transfer to the court as of July 1, 2026. Any petitioner with a case pending before the tribunal that does not wish for the case to be transferred to the court will make a written demand to the tribunal on or before December 31, 2025, with proceedings to conclude prior to June 30, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Judiciary
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 410 Insurance, Department of; efficiency in the practices; provide
Bill Summary: HB 410 removes language from Title 33 of the O.C.G.A related to administrative processes and regulatory oversight within the Georgia Department of Insurance. The bill also moves

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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Today on the Floor

agency license renewals from an annual schedule to a biennial schedule.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Buddy DeLoach (167th) Insurance
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-20-2025 Do Pass

HB 414 Elections; "person" to include certain nonresidents; revise definition
Bill Summary: HB 414 allows the State Ethics Commission to request documentation or information from a person located out of state. The commission is authorized to petition the superior court to obtain such documentation or information if said person refuses to comply.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Todd Jones (25th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 153 Nays: 9

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 444 Holidays; April of each year as Georgia Native Plant Month; designate Bill Summary: HB 444 designates the month of April of each year as Georgia Native Plant Month.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Deborah Silcox (53rd) Special Rules
Yeas: 158 Nays: 3

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-19-2025 Do Pass

HR 121 John W. Mixon Georgia Forestry Building; Dry Branch Community; dedicate
Bill Summary: HR 121 dedicates the Georgia Forestry Commission building located in Dry Branch, Georgia as the John W. Mixon Georgia Forestry Building.

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

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) State Properties
Yeas: 163 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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

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Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 24th Legislative Day, Thursday, February 27, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February
27, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 25th Legislative Day.

HB 113

State government; prohibit the state or its agencies from purchasing goods from certain foreign countries or related entities
Bill Summary: HB 113 requires the Georgia Technology Authority to maintain a list of concerned goods produced by a foreign company of concern or a foreign country of concern. State entities are prohibited from purchasing concerned goods from a foreign company of concern, a foreign country of concern, or a third-party vendor or reseller.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lauren McDonald III (26th) Governmental Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2025 Do Pass

HB 143

Water resources; water-measuring devices for farm use of surface and ground water; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 143 relates to water permits for agricultural use and removes language from Title 12 that requires permittees to have an acceptable type of water measuring device within one year of the updated effective date on a revised permit.

The bill removes other language that requires the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources to document the withdrawal or lack of irrigation infrastructure at a given site, and further allows trained and certified EPD staff to install water-measuring devices at no charge to the permittee. EPD is also allowed to undertake other repairs and replacements of these devices when necessary.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (134th)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-13-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 163

Food service establishments; certain food products be disclosed as containing cell cultured meat and plant based meat alternatives; require
Bill Summary: HB 163 requires food service establishments to clearly denote items on their menus that contain cell cultured meat (food products designed to share characteristics with actual meat products), plant-based meat alternatives, or both.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jordan Ridley (22nd) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2025 Do Pass

HB 169

Ad valorem tax; breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar generation of energy; limit exceptions
Bill Summary: HB 169 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-7.4 and 48-5-7.7, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and forest land conservation use property, to sunset a provision allowing for solar energy generation to be a permissible use of property that is subject to a conservation use covenant on July 1, 2036. Any related contracts, including contracts that contain an option contract for the lease of solar energy generation for the purpose of heat or electricity, entered into prior to July 1, 2026 may continue until the sunset date.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Charles Cannon (172nd) Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Next on the Floor

HB 187 Professions and businesses; contractors; change certain provisions
Bill Summary: HB 187 is a modernization update to the licensing code for electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors.

The bill makes numerous changes, including: 1) revising requirements for State Construction Industry Licensing Board members; 2) revising what plumber classifications can install, maintain, alter, or repair medical gas piping systems; 3) exempting any licensed conditioned air contractor who also is a registered professional engineer from certain continuing education requirements; 4) removing the cap on continuing education that both the Division of Electrical Contractors and the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers can require; 5) requiring each division to make all reasonable efforts to provide continuing education online or through home study courses; 6) clarifying that any licensed master plumber, or company that holds a valid utility contractor license, can construct, alter, or repair any plumbing system that extends from the property line up to five feet of any building; and 7) allowing for applicable licensee's partners, officers, and employees to continue operating for 60 days after the death of a licensee, in addition to allowing the applicable division to provide one additional 60-day grace period.

The bill revises dates, timelines, adds references to Internet advertising, and revises fine amounts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Dale Washburn (144th) Regulated Industries

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-10-2025 Do Pass

HB 227 Putting Georgia's Patients First Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 227 renames low THC oil as medical cannabis throughout the Code. It also allows for information to be distributed to physicians and current card holders. Additionally, the bill removes the end-stage requirement from the allowed conditions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (134th) Health

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 241 Contracts; convenience fees for payment by electronic means; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 241 revises law related to convenience fees by authorizing a lender or merchant to collect, in lieu of the actual cost, a fee which does not exceed the average of the actual cost incurred for a specific type of electronic payment, or a fee of up to five dollars, whichever is greater.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (124th) Banks & Banking

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 254

State government; provide placement of Revolutionary War Patriots marker on state capitol building grounds and state archives building grounds
Bill Summary: HB 254 allows a marker to be placed on state capitol building grounds and state archives building grounds that commemorates the patriots of the Revolutionary War. The placement location is subject to approval by the Capitol Arts Standards Commission for placement on capitol grounds and by the Board of Regents for archives building grounds. No public funds are to be used for the design and procurement of the markers.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Debbie Buckner (137th) State Properties

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2025 Do Pass

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

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Next on the Floor

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

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

Code Revision Committee
HB 484 General Assembly; digitization and electronic publication of Georgia Laws; provide
Bill Summary: HB 484 permits the publishing of the Georgia Laws to be electronic or in hardbound volumes. The Code Revision Commission is charged with providing assistance and oversight of the digitization and electronic publication of the Georgia Laws in a permanent digital repository.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bill Yearta (152nd) Code Revision

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 485

Official Code of Georgia Annotated; various provisions enacted prior to 2013 which are contingent upon funding and which remain unfunded; repeal
Bill Summary: HB 485 repeals provisions of Georgia law enacted which are contingent upon funding and remain unfunded, as well as provisions that have been found unconstitutional. Provisions where portions were found unconstitutional have been repealed and reenacted. Terminology is amended to conform to other definitions in law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bill Yearta (152nd) Code Revision

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Game, Fish, & Parks Committee
HB 432 Game and fish; Georgia turkey stamps; provide
Bill Summary: HB 432 introduces a Georgia turkey stamp, which residents of the state can receive at no cost. Non-residents aged 16 and older who wish to hunt turkey in Georgia are required to obtain this stamp for $100 in addition to their hunting license.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 443 Game and fish; fees for reef and migratory fish endorsements; provide
Bill Summary: HB 443 establishes an annual fee for reef and migratory fish endorsements to regulate both recreational and commercial off-shore fishing. The bill specifies an annual $10 fee for Georgia residents and a $20 fee for non-residents who participate in off-shore fishing.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 451

Quality Basic Education Act; local boards shall be authorized to provide instruction in hunting safety in grades six through 12; provide
Bill Summary: HB 451 amends the Quality Basic Education Act to allow local school boards to offer hunting safety instruction for students in grades six through 12. Each local board of education is also authorized to establish curriculum for hunter safety instruction based on the hunter education courses offered by the Department of Natural Resources. The State Board of Education will adopt instructional standards no later than April 1, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Charles Cannon (172nd) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

HB 454

Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 454 is known as 'The Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act' and establishes a dedicated trust fund to support the preservation of historic battlefields in Georgia. Administered by the Department of Natural Resources, the fund will receive money from state appropriations, grants, and private donations to provide matching grants for purchasing or protecting battlefield lands. Organizations applying for grants must provide matching contributions, and meet specific criteria related to historical significance, proximity to other protected lands, and threats to preservation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Houston Gaines (120th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 491 Game and fish; remove an exception for use of air guns to hunt wildlife
Bill Summary: HB 491 removes a sunset date related to hunting wildlife with an air gun. The bill also makes it unlawful to take any catfish species from state waters using a bow and arrow except under certain conditions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Johnny Chastain (7th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 556

Watercraft; boat liveries and education courses; provide
Bill Summary: HB 556 defines terms related to boat liveries and establishes that such businesses cannot rent boats with more than 10 horsepower to any individual under the age of 18. Individuals 18 and older are authorized to rent these boats only if they, along with one additional person of age that will be present on the vessel, complete a rental education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brent Cox (28th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Governmental Affairs Committee

HB 215

Voter List Integrity Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 215 creates the 'Voter List Integrity Act'. The bill prohibits the secretary of state or any other state entity from joining or participating in any multistate voter list maintenance organization that does the following: requires or encourages contacting individuals with the intent of registering them to vote; or shares voter data outside of stated purposes.

The bill authorizes the secretary of state to enter into joint compacts with chief election officials in other states for the purpose of sharing information for voter list maintenance.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 244

State auditor; local governments to request and receive in certain circumstances due date extensions related to filing annual audits; provide
Bill Summary: HB 244 makes adjustments to local government audit requirements, depending on total expenditures by such local government entity. The bill requires specified county officers to cooperate with the county government in the preparation of required financial statements and audits, subject to specified waivers.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Charles Cannon (172nd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

HB 324

Elections; preferential treatment during advance voting and during certain hours on election day to certain voters; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 324 allows electors who are blind, deaf, an amputee, pregnant, accompanied by one or more children of two years of age or younger, or accompanied by one or more children with special needs to vote without waiting in line during the period of advance voting or during specified hours on election day.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Reynaldo Martinez (111th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 374 Local government; residential rental property; establish housing management databases
Bill Summary: HB 374 allows a local governing authority to establish a housing management database of residential rental property. The bill provides guidelines for what information may be included in the database including disclosure of property ownership by a foreign adversary.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 397

Elections; allow municipalities to opt in to providing advance voting on Saturdays for municipal elections
Bill Summary: HB 397 allows for the removal of state election board members at any time the General Assembly is in session by a majority vote or at any time the General Assembly is not in session by the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House. A state election board member appointed to fill a vacancy may be removed in the same manner as a member elected by the General Assembly.

The bill allows a city council or other municipal governing body to opt out of conducting voting on one or more Saturdays during the period of advance voting in any municipal election.

The bill specifies when special elections to present a question to voters are to be held.

The bill provides for a period of at least 60 days between the call of a special primary or special election and the election day of such special primary or special election. The bill provides for a period of at least 60 days between the call of a municipal special primary or special election, and the election day of such municipal special primary or special election.

The bill removes the third Tuesday in September as one of the dates permitted for municipal special primaries or special elections held in odd-numbered years. The bill provides for a period of at least 60 days between the call of a special election to present a question to voters and election day for such special election.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tim Fleming (114th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 399

Property; require certain residential landlords to have in-state staff to manage tenant communications
Bill Summary: HB 399 requires landlords owning or operating 25 or more rental properties in the state to employ a licensed broker that may or may not reside in this state, and at least one person located within the state for purposes of managing and responding to communications from the landlord's tenants related to property issues.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (84th)

Governmental Affairs

Committee

Action:

Page 12 of 23

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

HB 467

State flag, seal, and other symbols; protection of government statues and monuments; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 467 provides for protection against the damage, defacement, or loss of publicly or privately owned monuments on state property, provided that any interested person, group, or entity has standing to bring a cause of action for any violation of this Code section.

Any entity that violates this Code section is liable for triple the amount of the full cost of repair or replacement of such monument and associated attorney's fees. If a violation of this Code section takes place, the attorney general or the district attorney in the impacted circuit are authorized to represent the interests of the monument owner or other specified parties.

The bill provides for the process required to remove a monument in specified instances. The bill requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish and maintain a registry of all monuments located on public property in this state.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (33rd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 513 Local government; criteria for service delivery strategy; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 513 provides for the use of additional funding sources related to county services jointly funded by the county and one or more municipalities. The bill requires the county to provide an annual report of the funding of such jointly funded services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John LaHood (175th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 521 Local government; deannexation of certain properties; revise procedures Bill Summary: HB 521 provides for the deannexation of property owned by a county.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Victor Anderson (10th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Higher Education Committee

HB 56

Education; grants to spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and prison guards who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty; provide
Bill Summary: HB 56 expands eligibility for the Public Safety Memorial Grant to include spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, prison guards, emergency medical technicians, or highway response operators who have died or been permanently disabled in the line of duty. The bill increases the maximum award amount from $2,000 per academic year to $18,000 per academic year, and increases the lifetime award amount from $8,000 to $72,000.

The bill provides for the distribution of grants to the child or spouse of a public school teacher or public school employee who has been killed or permanently disabled by an act of violence in the line of duty. Eligible students attending an approved school will receive no more than $18,000 per academic year, with a maximum total award amount of $72,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

HB 385

Education; allow academically successful students who are concurrently seeking certain degrees to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 385 allows students who are concurrently seeking a baccalaureate degree and a first professional degree, and students who meet achievement standards and commence a graduate program at an eligible institution within 18 months of earning a baccalaureate degree, to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Holcomb (101st) Higher Education

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Industry and Labor Committee

HB 569

Labor and industrial relations; employment security; benefits and appeals; revise certain notice provisions
Bill Summary: HB 569 allows for electronic delivery of decisions by the Department of Labor involving unemployment insurance. The applicant can elect to use this electronic delivery or have their paperwork mailed to them. The bill also provides a definition of "issue date", which includes a provision that allows the department, through regulations, to waive or alter the time limit provisions of when a decision becomes final, as long as it complies with due process for all interested parties.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Justin 'Jutt' Howard (71st) Industry and Labor

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 411 Banks County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts Bill Summary: HB 411 reapportions the Banks County Commission districts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chris Erwin (32nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 538 Schley County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of technology fee Bill Summary: HB 538 authorizes the Schley County Probate Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (151st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 553 Taylor County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of technology fee Bill Summary: HB 553 authorizes the Taylor County Probate Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Patty Stinson (150th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 568 Euharlee, City of; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: HB 568 authorizes the City of Euharlee to levy a hotel/motel tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (14th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

HB 591 Cleveland, City of; Municipal Court; charge a technology fee
Bill Summary: HB 591 authorizes the City of Cleveland Municipal Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Stan Gunter (8th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 592 Cleveland, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: HB 592 provides a new charter for the City of Cleveland.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Stan Gunter (8th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

SB 137

City of Mulberry; provisions related to jurisdiction of the municipal court; revise
Bill Summary: SB137 revises county services provided to the City of Mulberry Municipal Court during the transition period. All government services and functions provided from the county to the now incorporated area during 2023 and 2024 will continue at the same cost, unless otherwise provided.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

Judiciary, Juvenile Committee

HB 434

Crimes and offenses; offense of selling a child for financial gain; provide
Bill Summary: HB 434 redesignates O.C.G.A. 19-8-24, which provides for criminal penalties for certain actions related to selling a child; advertising requirements for adoption; inducements; and advertising requirements and prohibitions for those that are not a child-placing agency, licensed attorney representing a prospective adopted parent. The bill also changes various references throughout the Code to account for the new Code section.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Judiciary, Juvenile

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 8

Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide
Bill Summary: SB 8 provides various clarifications regarding the role of juvenile court judges and the procedure in juvenile court. Section 1 notes that an arrest warrant must provide the same information as required under Title 17, and can be issued in any county, even if the crime was committed in another county. That warrant does not require a judge in that other county to also endorse the warrant.
Section 2 clarifies that O.C.G.A. 15-18-6.1, which involves representation of the government in juvenile court cases, does not restrict or limit a district attorney or solicitor general to represent the state in a criminal case in juvenile court involving a felony or misdemeanor.
Section 3 clarifies that a juvenile court judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of an offender, except when issuing a warrant for the arrest of a law enforcement officer, Division of Family and Children Services case manager, teacher, or school administrator.
Section 4 clarifies that a juvenile court judge, who has criminal jurisdiction, may hold trial over someone who is arrested and accused.

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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Judiciary, Juvenile

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

Public and Community Health Committee

HB 291

Health; certification of community health workers; provide
Bill Summary: HB 291 creates the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee, which will be comprised of 11 voting members with specializations as outlined in the bill, and two nonvoting members who are representatives of the Department of Public Health. The committee will approve certified community health worker training programs, and all community health workers must be certified by the committee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Darlene Taylor (173rd) Public and Community Health

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 471

Health; licensed general hospitals and birthing centers make available a water safety education video to parents or guardians of newborn infants; require
Bill Summary: HB 471 requires hospitals and birthing centers to provide a water safety education video to parents or guardians on site after the delivery of an infant. The video will be developed by the Department of Community Health.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (151st) Public and Community Health

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 506 Social services; Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments; provide
Bill Summary: HB 506 requires the Department of Community Health to provide Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatment. Coverage will not limit one's number of tobacco cessation attempts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Hilton (48th) Public and Community Health

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 584

Health; reassign licensing and oversight of certain treatments and programs from Departments of Community Health to Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Bill Summary: HB 584 reassigns licensing and oversight of drug abuse treatment and education programs, narcotic treatment programs, community living arrangements, and adult residential mental health programs from the Department of Community Health (DCH) to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

Community service boards will be the governing bodies.

Rules and regulations created and implemented by December 31, 2025 will remain in effect until revoked. All issued and provisional licenses provided by DCH on December 31, 2025 will be valid until they are revoked, renewed, surrendered, or terminated. The reassignment will be effective January 1, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Public and Community Health

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

HB 80

Law enforcement agencies; option to destroy or sell certain firearms; provide
Bill Summary: HB 80 includes an option for law enforcement agencies, when in possession of a seized firearm, to destroy the firearm as part of its plan to deal with forfeited property.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook (163rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-26-2025 Tabled

HB 238

Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; create and maintain an at-risk adult training course focusing on officer response to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia
Bill Summary: HB 238 requires the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to create and maintain an at-risk adult training course focusing on officer response to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 472 Crimes and offenses; add certain facilities of the Geo. L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center Authority to the locations in which the carrying of weapons or long guns is prohibited
Bill Summary: HB 472 adds certain facilities of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to the locations in which carrying of weapons or long guns is prohibited.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-26-2025 Tabled

HB 518 Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2025; enact Bill Summary: HB 518 bans the sale of over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kits in Georgia.

The legislation requires the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to test evidence received from local law enforcement unless the victim requests in writing directly to the division that the evidence not be tested.

The bill establishes the Forensic Medical Examination Advisory Committee to establish criteria for the State Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) didactic and clinical training protocols for the forensic medical examination, and maintain certificates for forensic nurses in the state.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Holcomb (101st) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 549 Peace officers; extend time frame for which reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer may be sought
Bill Summary: HB 49 extends the time frame for reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer of a peace officer to be sought to 36 months.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Devan Seabaugh (34th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

Rural Development Committee

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 certain rural 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. The bill also adds "Affected Rural Hospital", which means an acute care hospital located in a rural county that contains fewer than 100 beds and is located in any region of the state in which the governor declared a state of emergency after July 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Angie O'Steen (169th) Rural Development

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Small Business Development Committee

HB 250

Better Small Business Employee Benefits Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 250 requires the Department of Labor to establish regulations and registration policies for professional employer organizations (PEO). The bill outlines a fee caps and a structure for each application type. The initial fee for a PEO and a PEO group must not exceed $500 and the renewal fee must not exceed $250. For limited and temporary registration the fee for a PEO must not exceed $250 and not exceed $250 per member for a PEO group. Any person administering professional employer services who violate this Code may subject to a penalty of no more than $2,000 for each violation. Temporary help contracting firms and individuals who are not a PEO but share employees with a commonly owned corporation, trade, or business related to Section 414(b) and (c) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are exempt from this Code section.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Darlene Taylor (173rd) Small Business Development

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Ways & Means Committee

HB 66

Ad valorem tax; expand definition of rental motor vehicle
Bill Summary: HB 66 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5C-1, relating to alternative ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fee, by defining "special modified rental vehicle" as a motor vehicle significantly modified at a manufacturing facility operated by the owner of the vehicle, is rented or leased without a driver to businesses, and the rental or lease transaction of which are subject to state and local sales, and use taxes.

A person applying for a certificate of title for a special modified rental vehicle must pay 50 percent of the title ad valorem tax fee at the time it is due, and 50 percent within 12 months of filing the application.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 129 Ad valorem tax; bona fide conservation use property; remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities Bill Summary: HB 129 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-7.4, related to bona fide conservation use property, to allow property leased by a corporation, partnership, general partnership, limited partnership or
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

corporation, or a limited liability company to qualify as bona fide conservation use property if it meets the following conditions: entity is owned by at least one natural or naturalized citizen, and the primary purpose of the property is related to production of agricultural or timber products.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Charles Cannon (172nd) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 144

Income tax; certain medical preceptor rotations; revise tax credit
Bill Summary: HB 144 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.22, relating to tax credits for medical preceptor rotations, to add licensed dentists to the eligible professions to receive a tax credit as a community based faculty preceptor. The credit is changed to be $1,000 for each preceptorship rotation completed by a physician or licensed dentist in a calendar year, and $750 for each preceptorship rotation completed in a calendar year by an advanced practice registered nurse.

The credit will not exceed an aggregate cap of $6 million per year, and the sunset date is changed from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2030.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mark Newton (127th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 165

Income tax credit; business enterprises for leased motor vehicles; repeal and reserve
Bill Summary: HB 165 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-27, relating to the computation of taxable net income, to allow for an amount equal to the net disaster loss as defined by Section 304(b) of Title III of Division EE of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L.116-260, as amended by Section 2 of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, P.L. 118-148 to be deducted in addition to the standard deductions provided for in this Code section.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lehman Franklin (160th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 186

Revenue and taxation; eliminate title ad valorem tax fee requirement for certain inherited vehicles
Bill Summary: HB 186 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5C-, relating to alternative ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fees, to eliminate the application of a state title ad valorem tax fee on a motor vehicle inherited upon the death of a immediate family member.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jordan Ridley (22nd) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 248

Income tax; tax credit for certain expenses incurred by taxpayers for certain geothermal machinery installations at residential dwellings; provide
Bill Summary: HB 248 adds O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.26, which creates an income tax credit of $5,000 per year for up to five years per dwelling for eligible expenses related to installation of geothermal machinery in a residential dwelling. The tax credit will not exceed $25,000 per dwelling and will be repealed on December 31, 2031. The aggregate cap for the program is $2.5 million per year. The bill is effective on July 1, 2025 and applicable beginning on January 1, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Actions

HB 290

Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law
Bill Summary: HB 290 provides the annual Internal Revenue Code update to Georgia Code by revising definitions found in O.C.G.A. 48-8-2. The updates are applicable to tax years on or after January 1, 2024 for relevant federal laws passed on or before January 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Carson (46th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 297

Ad valorem tax; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 297 amends O.C.G.A. 40-1-1, relating to the definitions of motor vehicles and traffic, to change the definition of "multipurpose off-highway vehicle" to mean any self-propelled, motorized vehicle originally intended for off-highway use and to not include any all-terrain vehicles, low-speed vehicles, passenger cars, or personal transportation vehicles.

Additionally, the bill creates O.C.G.A. 48-5-504.50 to exempt multipurpose off-highway vehicles from ad valorem taxation, beginning on January 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Victor Anderson (10th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 360

Revenue and taxation; rehabilitation of historic structures; revise tax credit
Bill Summary: HB 360 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.8, relating to tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures, to allow a taxpayer preapproved by the commissioner of the Department of Revenue to claim credits in tax year 2027, 2028, or 2029 for certified structures other than historic homes to receive the credit during tax year 2026.

A taxpayer must obtain a certificate of occupancy for the structure by December 31, 2026 to qualify, and eligible properties must be located within a 10-mile radius of the Cabbagetown Historic District.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 370

Ad valorem tax; school districts; state-wide base year homestead exemption; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 370 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-34, relating to ad valorem property tax bill forms, to require school districts that opt out of the statewide base year homestead exemption provided for in O.C.G.A. 48-5-44.2 to include on the ad valorem property tax bill the amount of reserve funds held by the opted-out school district as of January 1 of that tax year and, provided the school district has not adopted a base year value homestead exemption through local legislation, language stating that the school district opted out of the statewide base year homestead exemption.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Houston Gaines (120th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 425

Revenue and taxation; purchase of an emergency power generator to convenience stores and grocery stores; provide tax credit
Bill Summary: HB 425 creates O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.27 to provide for a tax credit to be utilized for the purchase and installation of an emergency power generator, a transfer switch or switches, or lines or fuel tanks needed to provide power to a generator. The tax credit will only be claimed by eligible convenience stores or skilled nursing facilities. The credit will not exceed $5,000 per tax year for no more than five taxable years, and will have an aggregate cap of $5 million.

The credit is provided for qualified expenditures made between July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026

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Committee Actions

and may not for an amount that exceeds the taxpayer's income tax liability. The credit must be claimed on the taxpayer's 2026 tax return.

A "convenience store" is defined as a retail established that sells packaged or unprepared food or grocery items and has less than 10,000 square feet of retail floor space. A single corporate entity may not claim the credit for more than five of its establishments.

A "skilled nursing facility" is defined as an institution that provides inpatient skilled nursing care for individuals requiring medical or nursing care, or rehabilitation services.

The program will stand repealed on December 31, 2031.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. James Burchett (176th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 445

Ad valorem tax; language required to be included in notices of current assessment; revise
Bill Summary: HB 445 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-306 relating to the annual notice of current assessment, contents, posting notice, and new assessment description by requiring that the option to appeal directly to a hearing officer for tangible personal property with a fair market value of greater than $200,000 be included on the notice of assessment.

The bill amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-311 relating to county boards of equalization, duties, review of assessments, and appeals by allowing a taxpayer with tangible personal property having a fair market value greater than $200,000 to appeal directly to a hearing officer. A former or current appraiser IV or chief appraiser may serve as a hearing officer for taxable personal property other than wireless property following the submission of an application, a list of counties within which the hearing officer is willing to serve, and a resume to the Georgia Real Estate Commission and the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. The hearing officer may not serve in the county of which they previously served as an appraiser IV or chief appraiser.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 463

Ad valorem tax; certain senior citizens who volunteer with local governments; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 463 creates O.C.G.A. 48-5-44.3 to allow for a local government to adopt an ordinance to allow senior citizens to claim an additional homestead exemption in exchange for volunteer work defined by the local entity.

The ordinance must include the following information: the maximum dollar amount for the exemption that can be provided, not to exceed $500; the maximum number of senior citizens that can claim the exemption; the hourly rate at which the exemption can be earned, not to exceed $10 per hour; the date an application will be due for the exemption; and the types of volunteer work eligible for the exemption. A "senior citizen" is defined as a person of at least 65 years of age on January 1 of the related tax year.

The exemption will apply to taxable years beginning on January 1, 2027.

The bill requires a favorable 2/3 vote of both the Senate and House of Representatives, and statewide referendum.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

HB 560

Joint county and municipal sales and use tax (LOST); negotiations for distribution of tax proceeds; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 560 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes, by exempting the purchase of qualifying construction materials used in capital outlay projects for educational purposes from local sales and use taxes. Eligible capital outlay projects are those that are funded using a sales tax for education purposes as authorized by the constitution of Georgia. Local school systems must have a base year value or adjusted base year value homestead exemption in effect to receive this exemption. The program will be repealed on December 31, 2033.

All sales and use tax will be paid and collected as is required by Code. A school system may claim the exemption by requesting a refund from the Department of Revenue. Any refund received by a school system will be held in a fund or account for capital outlay projects and shall be used for education purposes as authorized by the Georgia constitution.

The bill amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-89, relating to the joint county and municipal sales and use tax, to allow any jurisdiction, including unincorporated political subdivisions, to be absent from the agreement, provided that the absent political subdivision receives proceeds proportional to its population.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-26-2025 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.

Thursday - February 27, 2025 02/27/2025 8:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS (House) 02/27/2025 8:00 AM Natural Resources Subcommittee on Resource
Management (House) 02/27/2025 8:00 AM Regulated Industries Subcommittee on
Regulatory (House) 02/27/2025 8:00 AM JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL (House) 02/27/2025 8:30 AM NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
(Upon Adjournment of Subcommittee on Resource Management) (House) 02/27/2025 9:00 AM AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (House) 02/27/2025 9:00 AM RULES (House) 02/27/2025 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD24) (House)

02/27/2025 02/27/2025 02/27/2025 02/27/2025 02/27/2025
02/27/2025

1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:30 PM 2:00 PM
2:00 PM

HIGHER EDUCATION (House) EDUCATION (House) TRANSPORTATION (House) JUDICIARY (Upon Adjournment) (House) Special Committee on Resource Management (House) HEALTH (House)

341 CAP VIDEO Agenda 606 CLOB VIDEO Agenda
506 CLOB VIDEO Agenda
132 CAP VIDEO Agenda 606 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

606 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

341 CAP House Chamber 406 CLOB 506 CLOB 606 CLOB 132 CAP 341 CAP

VIDEO Agenda VIDEO
VIDEO Agenda VIDEO Agenda VIDEO Agenda VIDEO Agenda VIDEO Agenda

403 CAP VIDEO Agenda

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Daily Report for February 26, 2025

Committee Meetings

02/27/2025 02/27/2025

3:00 PM 3:00 PM

PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY (House)
HUMAN RELATIONS AND AGING (House)

506 CLOB VIDEO Agenda 406 CLOB VIDEO

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