Daily report, 2025 March 25

DAILY REPORT Tuesday
March 25, 2025

35th Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 36th Legislative Day on Thursday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 2:00 p.m. No bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Motions to Agree
HB 55 Alapaha Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for an additional judge
Bill Summary: HB 55 increases the number of superior court judges in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit from two to three. The third judge will be appointed for a term beginning January 1, 2026, continuing through December 31, 2028. Their successor will be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election in 2028.

Authored By: Rep. Jaclyn Ford (170th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 161

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; authority to issue subpoenas of electronic communication records for purposes of investigating certain cyber enabled threats to life and property; provide
Bill Summary: HB 161 revises the statute that allows the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to subpoena computers or electronic devices to include investigations of Title 16, Chapter 9, Article 8 (Identity Fraud) and O.C.G.A. 16-9-93 (Computer Crimes), 16-10-28 (Transmitting a False Public Alarm), 16-11-37 (Terroristic Threats and Acts), 16-11-39.1 (Harassing Communications), and 1611-221 (Domestic Terrorism - Penalties).

The bill allows a court to find someone in contempt if they fail to obey these subpoenas, and restricts the subpoena from becoming public during the investigation or prosecution beyond the extent necessary for the issuance and compliance of the subpoena. This also removes the specific references to Code sections when the GBI can provide information in furtherance of a federal, local, or state criminal investigation so that it applies to all criminal investigations.

The bill also adds a definition of assassination for purposes of the crime of domestic terrorism. Assassination is defined as the intentional killing of an elected public official by an individual who is acting to prevent the performance of their official duties.

Authored By: Rep. Clint Crowe (118th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 614

Local government; prohibit use or ignition of consumer fireworks in proximity to certain facilities housing equines; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 614 allows a county governing authority or municipal corporation to adopt ordinances prohibiting fireworks usage within 200 yards of commercial facilities housing equines. Similarly, the county governing authority or municipal corporation may issue special event permits that allow the usage of fireworks within the 200 yard range.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones (47th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HR 97 Property; conveyance of certain state owned property; authorize
Bill Summary: HR 97 is a conveyance resolution for properties located in 13 counties, conveying property owned by the State of Georgia or amending those conveyances as follows:
Article 1 conveys approximately 0.132 of an acre of land located in Bryan County, being a portion of the Bryan County Forest Fire Tower Site, under the custody of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), to Bryan County for a consideration of $5,634 for right of way and driveway easement.
Article 2 leases approximately 0.03 of an acre located in Cherokee County, being a portion of Pine Log Mountain, under the custody of GFC, to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for a term of six years and for the consideration of $10 annually for a telecommunication tower, and the requirement that GFC have access to tower space, a generator, and a shed on the premises.
Article 3 conveys approximately 2.957 acres located in Clarke County, known as the Athens Field Office, under the custody of the Department of Community Supervision, to Mallory and Evans Development, LLC for an exchange of a like or better improved property.
Article 4 conveys approximately 5.468 acres located in Colquitt County, being a portion of Southern Regional Technical College, under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), to the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority for fair market value; or by competitive bid for fair market value; or to a local government or state entity for fair market value or to a local government or State entity for $10, as long as the property is used for public purpose in perpetuity.
Article 5 amends a lease of 1.6 acres located in Effingham County, being a portion of Savannah Technical College and Career Academy, under the custody of TCSG, with the Effingham County Board of Education for $10 annually.
Article 6 conveys approximately 0.006 of an acre located in Fulton County, being a portion of the Georgia World Congress Center, under the custody of the Department of Economic Development, to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for a consideration of $10 for right of way.
Article 7 conveys approximately three acres located in Fulton County, being a portion of Lower Wall Street, under the custody of the State Properties Commission, to the City of Atlanta for a fair market value and the State of Georgia, Georgia Building Authority, and CSX will retain an access easement, or for a consideration of $10.
Article 8, to settle all disputes of ownership on approximately 4,086.07 acres of marshland, the State would convey to Glynn New Hope 1043, LLC the entire 4,086.07 acres of marshland, in exchange for 20 percent of any mitigation banks approved on any portions of the 4,086.07 acres within the 10year timeframe. The settlement agreement calls for an eventual return of the entire 4,086.07 acres of marshland back to the State after exhaustion of all credits from any approved mitigation banks, or after 25 years from any approved mitigation banks for which not all mitigation credits have been generated or released, whichever is earlier.
Article 9 conveys approximately 4.75 acres located in Habersham County, being a portion of Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute, under the custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC), to the Town of Alto for a consideration of $10 so long as the property is used for public purpose in perpetuity.
Article 10 conveys approximately 20 acres located in Habersham County, being a portion of Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute, under the custody of DOC, to Habersham County for a consideration of $10 as long as the property is used for public purpose in perpetuity.
Article 11 conveys approximately up to 180 acres located in Habersham County, being a portion of Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute, under the custody of DOC, to Habersham County for a consideration of $10 as long as the property is used for public purpose in perpetuity.
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

Article 12 conveys approximately 3.707 acres located in Hall County, being a portion of Lanier Technical College, under the custody of TCSG, to GDOT for a consideration of $229,180 for the right of way and easement (PI0016074).

Article 13 leases communication tower space located in Hall County, being a portion of State Patrol Post 6, under the custody of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), to Southern Linc for a term of 25 years for fair market value.

Article 14 conveys approximately 0.339 of an acre located in Henry County, being a portion of the Henry County campus of Southern Crescent Technical College, under the custody of TCSG to Henry County for a consideration of $67,150 for right of way and easement (PI0015089).

Article 15 leases communication tower space located in Miller County, being a portion of State Patrol Post 14, under the custody of DPS, to Southern Linc for a term of 25 years for fair market value.

Article 16 leases communication tower space located in Sumter County, being a portion of State Patrol Post 10, under the custody of DPS, to Southern Linc for a term of 25 years for fair market value.

Article 17 conveys approximately 11.561 acres located in Sumter County, being the former site of the Sumter Armory and Annex, under the custody of the Department of Defense, to the Sumter County Board of Commissioners for a fair market value and the removal of the public purpose use restriction.

Article 18 leases communication tower space located in Tattnall County, being a portion of State Patrol Post 18, under the custody of DPS, to Southern Linc for a term of 25 years for fair market value.

Authored By: Rep. Gerald Greene (154th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HR 98 Property; granting of nonexclusive easements; authorize
Bill Summary: HR 98 authorizes the State of Georgia, acting through the State Properties Commission, to grant easements over certain state-owned properties in 16 counties listed below:
Article 1 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 1.0 acre, located in Barrow County, under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at Fort Yargo State Park, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground single-phase facilities, conversion of existing overhead and underground distribution lines, pad mount transformers, and associated equipment for $10.
Article 2 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 15 acres, located in Barrow County, under the custody of the DNR at Fort Yargo State Park, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground fiber optic cable lines for a fair market value no less than $650.
Article 3 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 2.34 acres, located in Bryan County, under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) at the Hyundai EV QuickStart Training Center, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground distribution lines and associated equipment to serve the TCSG EV Training Center (TCSG-398) for $10.
Article 4 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.78 of an acre, located in Chatham County, under the custody of TCSG at the Pooler Regional Training Center QuickStart, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground wire and pad mount transformer, distribution line, and associated equipment to serve the EV Training Center Expansion (TCSG-399) for $10.

Page 3 of 13

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

Article 5 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 4.53 acres, located in Cherokee County, under the custody of the DNR at McGraw Ford Wildlife management Area, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of a transmission tie line and associated equipment to connect a battery storage station to Georgia Power Company's McGraw Ford substation for fair market value no less than $650.
Article 6 grants an easement to Spectrum Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 3.0 acres, located in Coweta County, under the custody of the DNR at Chattahoochee Bend State Park, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground and overhead fiber optic lines and associated equipment for $10.
Article 7 grants an easement to the City of Atlanta or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.09 of an acre, located in Fulton County, under the custody of the State Properties Commission over the Western and Atlantic Railroad, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the Central Avenue Bridge replacement project for $96,400.
Article 8 grants an easement to the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission or its successors, and assigns approximately 8 acres, located in Glynn County, under the custody of the DNR at Hofwyl Planation, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of various underground utilities and associated equipment for $10.
Article 9 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.24 of an acre, located in Habersham County, under the custody of TCSG at the Main Campus of North Georgia Technical College, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of a three-phase primary underground wire and one three-phase pad mount transformer for $10.
Article 10 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 1.6 acres, located in Hall County, under the custody of TCSG at Lanier Technical College, for relocation of distribution lines, transformer, and terminating cabinet for a fair market value no less than $650.
Article 11 grants an easement to Atlanta Gas Light or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.76 of an acre, located in Haralson County, under the custody of TCSG at the Murphy Campus of West Georgia Technical College, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground distribution lines to serve TCSG-392 Industrial Building for $10.
Article 12 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 2.22 acres, located in Haralson County, under the custody of TCSG at West Georgia Technical College Murphy campus, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of a new transformer, underground distribution lines, and associated equipment to serve the new Industrial Building (TCSG-392) for $10.
Article 13 grants an easement to the Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.03 of an acre, located in Jeff Davis County, under the custody of the Department of Driver Services at the Hazelhurst Customer Service Center, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground electrical distribution lines and associated equipment for $10.
Article 14 grants an easement to the City of Barnesville or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.40 of an acre, located in Lamar County, under the custody of the Department of Community Supervision at the Barnesville Field Office, for the sewer system upgrade project for $10.
Article 15 grants an easement to the Jefferson Energy Cooperative or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.50 of an acre, located in McDuffie County, under the custody of the DNR at the McDuffie Public Fishing Area, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground distribution line and associated equipment for $10.
Article 16 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.20 of an acre, located in Paulding County, under the custody of the DNR at Paulding
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

Forest Wildlife Management Area, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of underground distribution line and associated equipment to serve a Paulding County 911 Communication Tower for $10.

Article 17 grants an easement to North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation or its successors, and assigns approximately 0.20 of an acre, located in Walker County, under the custody of the DNR at Crockford Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of overhead electrical distribution lines and associated equipment to serve a new maintenance facility for $10.

Article 18 grants an easement to Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority or its successors, and assigns over 7.0 acres, located in Walton County, under the custody of the Department of Economic Development at the Rivian Site, for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of a water tower, underground water, and sewer lines and associated equipment for $10.

Authored By: Rep. Gerald Greene (154th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

Rules Calendar
HR 273 City of Incheon, South Korea; designate as sister city-state of State of Georgia
Bill Summary: HR 273 designates the City of Incheon, South Korea as the sister city-state of the State of Georgia.

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

Rep. Soo Hong (103rd)

Rule Applied:

State Planning & Community Affairs Committee Action:

Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Amendments:

Adopted (Resolution)

Modified-Structured 02-25-2025 Do Pass

SB 42

Penalties for violating Code Sections 16-6-9 through 16-6-12; certain penalty provisions for the offense of prostitution, keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, and pandering; repeal
Bill Summary: SB 42 repeals 16-6-13(b), which currently is a criminal penalty of between 10 and 30 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $100,000 when anyone violates the crimes of keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, or pandering, when the offense involves someone under the age of 18 years old. This is to correct for a rule of lenity issue with the crime of human trafficking.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 169 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2025 Do Pass

SB 110

Definitions Relative to the Juvenile Code; definition of neglect and to provide for new definitions
Bill Summary: SB 110 defines the term "blatant disregard" within the Juvenile Code as a real, significant, and imminent risk of harm that is so obvious to a legal custodian that a reasonable person would not expose a child to that imminent risk of harm without exercising certain precautionary measures. It also defines the term "independent activity" to be one that is not under the direct supervision of a legal custodian or parent and includes playing outdoors, walking to school, running errands, and traveling to local commercial or recreational facilities.

The bill modifies the definition of "neglect" to be when someone fails to provide necessary parental care rather than proper parental care. It also narrows the requirements of when a parent must provide certain supervision necessary for the health and safety of a child to require the parent to avoid creating a real, significant, and imminent risk of harm to the child as a result of blatant disregard for the parent's responsibilities. This further narrows what constitutes abandonment of a child under the definition of "neglect" to exclude when a parent or guardian permits a child in engage in independent activities that reasonably avoid substantial risk of harm.

Page 5 of 13

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

The bill also modifies O.C.G.A. 16-5-60 to amend the crime of when a person causes bodily harm to or endangers the bodily safety of another through conscious disregard of another's safety to explicitly not include when a parent or legal custodian permits a child to engage in one or more independent activities unless doing so constitutes neglect.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Judiciary, Juvenile
Yeas: 100 Nays: 69

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-12-2025 Do Pass

SB 112

Selling and other Trade Practices; certain protections for consumers relative to warranties of HVAC systems and components of such systems; extend
Bill Summary: SB 112 creates a new article in Title 10 of the O.C.G.A. to allow an HVAC system manufacturer's warranty to be conveyed to a new owner of a residential property should a conveyance of property take place.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 166 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2025 Do Pass

SB 119

Manufactured or Mobile Homes; limited exceptions to circumstances under which a manufactured home shall become real property; provide
Bill Summary: SB 119 revises provisions regarding when manufactured homes become real property, specifically through a certificate of permanent location. When a certificate of permanent location is filed, the commissioner will notify the holders of all listed security interests that a certificate has been filed and the certificate of title has been surrendered.

The filing of a certificate of permanent location and the surrender of a certificate of title will not impair the rights and remedies of a prior interest holder until the interest has been satisfied. Additionally, the filing of a certificate of permanent location and the surrender of a certificate of title will not impose additional licensing or conduct requirements on the lien or security interest holder.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Russ Goodman (8th) Banks & Banking
Yeas: 168 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2025 Do Pass

SB 123

Compulsory Attendance; provisions of the state's compulsory school attendance laws; update and revise
Bill Summary: SB 123 amends O.C.G.A. 20-4-141, 20-2-690, and 20-2-690.1. The bill updates and revises provisions of the state's compulsory school attendance laws. The bill provides that no student will be expelled by a public school due solely to absenteeism.

Beginning in 2026, and every other year after, the Department of Education will submit a county-bycounty report of compliance by local school systems with provisions related to the student attendance and school climate committee to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Education and Youth Committee.

If a school system has a chronic absenteeism rate of 10 percent or higher, the system must create an attendance review team. If one or more schools has a school chronic absenteeism rate of 15 percent or higher, the system will establish an attendance review team for each such school.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Education
Yeas: 160 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-20-2025 Do Pass

Page 6 of 13

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

SB 149

Tuition Equalization Grants at Private Colleges and Universities; definition of approved school; revise
Bill Summary: SB 149 revises the institution eligibility for tuition equalization grants to require classification as a Level VI institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Billy Hickman (4th) Higher Education
Yeas: 162 Nays: 2

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-18-2025 Do Pass

SB 193

State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish the adult workforce high school diploma program; authorize
Bill Summary: SB 193 authorizes the Technical College System of Georgia to establish the adult workforce high school diploma program, which has a sunset date of July 1, 2031.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Matt Brass (6th) Higher Education
Yeas: 159 Nays: 2

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-18-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Local Calendar
HB 615 Chatham County Recreation Authority; abolish current authority memberships; provide new board membership
Bill Summary: HB 615 allows the current 13-person membership of the Chatham County Recreation Authority to continue serving their full terms, until February 28, 2029. On March 1, 2029, the board will consist of nine members. The appointment process is also revised to include appointments from various local governing authorities. Vacancies will be filled by the Chatham County legislative delegation.

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

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Committee

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 755 Cherokee County; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: HB 755 authorizes Cherokee County to levy a hotel/motel tax.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 756 Chatham Area Transit Authority; abolish current memberships; provide new board
Bill Summary: HB 756 abolishes the current membership and provides for new membership appointment of the Chatham Area Transit Authority.

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

Rep. Edna Jackson (165th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Committee

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 758 Spalding County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

Page 7 of 13

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

Bill Summary: HB 758 provides a homestead exemption from Spalding County School District ad valorem taxes for residents 65 years of age or older in three separate amounts. The first amount is 100 percent of the assessed value with an income cap of $25,000. The second amount is 50 percent of the assessed value with an income requirement between $25,000 and $53,000. The third amount is 25 percent of the assessed value with an income cap of $53,000.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Karen Mathiak (82nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 759 Spalding County; board of elections; terms of members; update provisions
Bill Summary: HB 759 revises the terms of the members the Spalding County Board of Elections. It also renames the elections supervisor to the elections director and allows the board to hire legal counsel.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 760 Glynn County; board of commissioners; chairperson and members; change annual salary
Bill Summary: HB 760 revises the annual salary of the Glynn County Board of Commissioners by changing the chairperson's salary to $28,000, the vice chairperson's salary to $27,000, and the members' salary to $26,000.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 761

Lilburn, City of; ad valorem tax; provide additional homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 761 provides a homestead exemption from City of Lilburn ad valorem taxes for residents in the amount by which the current year assessed value exceeds the prior year assessed value by more than eight percent. An existing exemption from City of Lilburn ad valorem taxes for residents 65 years of age or older by increasing the amount from $10,000 to $50,000.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Jasmine Clark (108th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 762 Savannah Music Commission Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 762 creates the Savannah Music Commission.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Carl Gilliard (162nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 763 Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 763 creates the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

Page 8 of 13

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Today on the Floor

HB 764 Nelson, City of; office of mayor or city council member; provide for appointments to vacancies
Bill Summary: HB 764 revises how vacancies are filled for the mayor and city council of the City of Nelson.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 766 Sumter-Americus Unification Commission Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 766 creates the Sumter-Americus County Unification Commission.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (151st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 771

Cherokee County; school district ad valorem tax; extend homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 771 revises a homestead exemption from Cherokee County School District ad valorem taxes in the full amount of the value of the homestead for residents who are disabled or are 62 years of age and older by including surviving spouses of eligible residents without the five-year residency requirement.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Brad Thomas (21st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 782 Chatham County Schools' Tax Relief Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 782 provides a homestead exemption from Chatham County School District ad valorem taxes in an amount by which the current year assessed value exceeds the base value of the homestead.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 783 Columbia County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 783 provides a homestead exemption from Columbia County School District ad valorem taxes in the amount of $8,000 for all residents.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gary Richardson (125th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

HB 784 Columbia County; ad valorem tax for county purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 784 provides a homestead exemption from Columbia County ad valorem taxes in the amount of $8,000 for all residents.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gary Richardson (125th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-21-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Committee Actions

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

Education Committee

SB 1

'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact
Bill Summary: SB 1 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 an individual's sex. The bill provides for separation according to sex for sleeping arrangements on school trips.

All public schools, local school systems, and private schools participating in competitions or athletic events must designate each team, competition, or athletic event as for males, females, or coed.

The bill provides for legislative findings on the importance of certain distinctions between the sexes and student athletes deserve to have a competitively fair and safe opportunity to participate and succeed in sports. The term "gender" is replaced with "sex" throughout the Code.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Greg Dolezal (27th) Education

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 148

Public School Property and Facilities; outdoor learning spaces pilot program; provide
Bill Summary: SB 148 creates O.C.G.A. 20-2-590, which establishes a pilot program for outdoor learning spaces beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Private, nonprofit, and local school system funding may be utilized for design and construction costs.

The bill eliminates the requirement for the involvement of a licensed physician for the use of automated external defibrillators for k-12 schools. It also increases the number of personal days school personnel may utilize accumulated sick leave for from three days to five days.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Education

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 212

"Quality Basic Education Act,"; disclosure of public student directory information to political candidates or persons or groups acting on their behalf; prohibit
Bill Summary: SB 212 prevents the disclosure of confidential voter registration record information to unauthorized persons, and prohibits the disclosure of public student directory information for political use. The bill amends O.C.G.A. 21-5-16 to prevent students from being solicited to organize political events on school property when such event is otherwise prohibited by law or by policy of the local school system or school.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Shawn Still (48th) Education

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Committee Actions

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee

HR 590

House Study Committee on Telecommunications Services and Programs for the Hearing and Visually Impaired; create
Bill Summary: HR 590 establishes the House Study Committee on Telecommunications Services and Programs. The committee will consist of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House. The committee will be abolished December 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (134th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass

SB 256

Electric Membership Corporation; disclose certain acquisitions and other information to its members within a certain time frame; require
Bill Summary: SB 256 requires any electric membership cooperation (EMC) that exceeds 15 percent of the net utility plant invested in an EMC gas affiliate to disclose the yearly cost of the gas sold to its members.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bill Cowsert (46th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

SB 27

Stalking; offense of doxxing; penalties; protective order; provide
Bill Summary: SB 27 is the 'Georgia Anti-Doxing Act.' The bill provides definitions for "close relation," "mental anguish," "personally identifiable information," "post," "significant economic injury," "social media platform," and "stalking."

The bill creates the crime of doxing, which is committed by a person they, with reckless disregard, post personally identifiable information of another knowing that a third party could read the post and then cause actual fear of stalking, serious injury, or death or suffer a significant economic injury or mental anguish due to the post. The crime of aggravated doxing is also created, which has the same elements as doxing, although it requires that the act intentionally cause harm to the individual.

Doxing is a misdemeanor on a first offense, although a second or subsequent offense is a felony offense with punishment of between one and two years, a fine of $5,000, or both. Aggravated doxing is a felony offense with punishment of between two and five years, a fine of $5,000, or both, although a second or subsequent offense is punished by imprisonment of between five and 10 years, a fine of $10,000, or both.

A person who commits the crime of aggravated doxing, when the offense results in serious bodily injury or death, will be punished as a party to the crime. The bill also includes a venue provision that determines where a defendant will be tried.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 79

"Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 79 is the 'Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act.'
The bill amends O.C.G.A. 16-13-31 (Manufacture, Delivery, Distribution, Possession, or Sale of Noncontrolled Substances) to strike the references that cite to fentanyl (in Schedule II) and fentanyl analogue structural class. If a person sells, manufactures, delivers, brings into the state, or has possession of at least four grams of fentanyl, a fentanyl analog structural class, or any mixture

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Committee Actions

containing these substances, then they are guilty of trafficking in fentanyl.

The penalty for at least four grams but less than eight grams is a mandatory minimum of eight years and a fine of $75,000. The penalty for at least eight grams but less than 14 grams is a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a fine of $150,000. The penalty for at least 14 grams but less than 28 grams is a mandatory minimum of 25 years and a fine of $250,000. The penalty for 28 grams or more is a mandatory minimum of 35 years and a fine of $750,000.

The bill also revises the penalties that can be imposed once the individual meets the requirements for a judge, and the judge agrees to depart from the mandatory minimums. New sentencing ranges are also added to the Code.

Further, the bill responds to a court case and ensures that mandatory minimums cannot be suspended, stayed, probated, deferred, or otherwise withheld by the court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Russ Goodman (8th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 102

Dogfighting; revise provisions
Bill Summary: SB 102 adds definitions for "fighting related objects," "game cock," and "minor," which is defined as an individual under the age of 18 years old. The bill makes it illegal to own, possess, train, transport, or sell a game cock with the intent that such game cock being used in fighting with another fowl.

The bill also makes it illegal to cause these game cocks to fight one another, and broadens the existing crime of promoting these fights to also include those who charge an admission fee for an exhibition. The crime is a felony offense with punishment of between one and five years on a first offense, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both. On a second conviction, the penalty is between one and 10 years, a minimum fine of $15,000, or both.

Further, the bill allows the court to prohibit the offender from owning or possessing an animal within the species for which the conviction is based. It also makes it a crime for allowing a minor to be present at one of these fights. This is a high and aggravated misdemeanor on the first offense. After a violation, the game cock at issue is to be impounded. This also makes it a crime to knowingly possess, purchase, or sell fighting-related objects with the intent that they will be used to promote, facilitate, train for, or participate in one of these fights. This is a high and aggravated misdemeanor.

The bill amends O.C.G.A. 4-8-27(f) (Certificates of Registration/Responsible Dog Ownership) to include the felony of game cock fighting. This subsection lists crimes for when a "certificate of registration for a vicious dog" cannot be issued.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass

SB 204

Criminal Procedure; offenses that are not serious violent felonies, sexual felonies, or other certain offenses to be charged by accusation of the district attorney; allow
Bill Summary: SB 204 prohibits counties and municipalities from regulating the storage of firearms. Lawful weapons carriers who have been aggrieved by a rule in violation of this preemption are provided the right to bring an action for an injunction or a civil cause of action. A plaintiff in a civil case is provided the ability to collect reasonable attorneys' fees and any other costs associated with the action. There is a one-year statute of limitations for these actions.

The bill also allows prosecutors to accuse an individual, rather than indict that person through the grand jury process, when that individual has a prior conviction or upon a second offense. This does not apply to those charged with serious violent felonies, sexual felonies, RICO cases, and criminal

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 25, 2025

Committee Actions

gang cases.
Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Harold Jones II (22nd) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Retirement Committee

SB 23

Retirement; total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; raise the limit
Bill Summary: SB 23 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:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Retirement

Committee Action:

03-25-2025 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.

Wednesday - March 26, 2025

03/26/2025 8:00 AM AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS 606 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

(House)

03/26/2025 8:00 AM WAYS AND MEANS (House)

406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 9:00 AM JUDICIARY CIVIL (House)

132 CAP VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 10:00 AM INSURANCE (House)

506 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 10:00 AM PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH (House) 515 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 10:00 AM BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT 606 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

(House)

03/26/2025 10:00 AM HEALTH (House)

406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 12:00 PM JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL (House)

132 CAP VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 12:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES (House)

515 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 1:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY 506 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

(House)

03/26/2025 1:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION (House)

606 CLOB VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 2:00 PM RULES (House)

341 CAP VIDEO Agenda

03/26/2025 3:00 PM

TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION (House)

406 CLOB VIDEO

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