Daily report, 2025 March 26

Wednesday March 26,
2025

COMMITTEE DAY REPORT

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. Five bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor
Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 36th Legislative Day, Thursday, March 27, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.

SB 9

"Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 9 defines terms related to artificial intelligence (AI), and establishes the offenses of fraudulent election interference and solicitation of fraudulent election interference by using AIgenerated media in campaign advertisements. The bill introduces the terms "materially deceptive media" and "AI generated media," and criminalizes the publication of this type of media within 90 days of an election with intent to deceive voters and influence the outcome of an election.

The State Election Board is authorized to investigate complaints regarding fraudulent election interference within 90 days of an election and will publicly release the findings of completed investigations. The attorney general is granted concurrent jurisdiction with local district attorneys to criminally prosecute violations regarding fraudulent election interference upon recommendation from the State Election Board. The bill clarifies that the use of AI-generated content in campaign advertisements is not unlawful as long as the proper disclosures are displayed.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Technology and Infrastructure Innovation

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 63

"Quality Basic Education Act"; local school systems offer certain exams to home study students; require
Bill Summary: SB 63 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-324.8, which requires that local school systems allow home study students to take the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, ACT or Advanced Placement exams offered by the school system to resident students. The local school system may require home school students to pay for such an exam if the school is requiring all students to pay a fee to take the exam.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Education

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-20-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Next on the Floor

SB 72

"Hope for Georgia Patients Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 72 allows for a terminally ill patient's right to try investigational drugs, biological products, and devices to expand their access to individualized treatments.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (6th) Health

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2025 Do Pass

SB 85

Grants for Foster Children; a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; establish
Bill Summary: SB 85 creates the 'Georgia Foster Care Scholarship Act.' The act provides grants to eligible students who are current or former foster care children. The total award amount per semester is not to exceed the costs of the eligible student's tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books associated with matriculation at an eligible postsecondary institution, minus any amount covered by federal or other state grants or scholarships. The maximum award per year will not exceed $30,000.

Eligible students will remain eligible for such awards until one of the following events occurs: the student earns a bachelor's degree, a maximum amount of hours has been attempted, or the student has received the scholarship for 10 years. The act is subject to appropriations.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (6th) Higher Education

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

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

SB 233

Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission; revise the subcommittees
Bill Summary: SB 233 increases the number of members of the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission from 24 to 30. The six members added must be: a certified addiction recovery specialist with lived experience; an intellectual and developmental disabilities provider; an individual that has lost an immediate family member to a drug overdose; a leader of an intellectual and developmental disabilities advocacy organization; an executive disorder of an addiction and recovery nonprofit; and someone with or a parent of someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The bill also replaces the Involuntary Commitment and Workforce and System Development subcommittees of the commission with Addictive Diseases and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Lastly, the commission's abolishment date is extended from June 30, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (6th) Public and Community Health

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-18-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

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

Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee

HR 368

Joint Study Committee on Intoxicating Cannabinoids in Consumable Hemp Products; create
Bill Summary: HR 368 creates the House Study Committee on Intoxicating Cannabinoids in Consumable Hemp Products. Five members of the Georgia House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House will serve on the study committee. The committee will stand abolished on December 31, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Health Committee

HR 592

House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts; create
Bill Summary: HR 592 creates the House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts. The committee will be composed of five members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the House, who will also designate a chairperson. This committee will be abolished December 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mark Newton (127th) Health

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

SB 39

Employees' Insurance and Benefits Plans; expenses for gender-affirming care under the state health benefit plan or with any state funds; prohibit coverage
Bill Summary: SB 39 prohibits the coverage of gender-affirming care for individuals covered under the State Health Benefit Plan. The bill provides exception to individuals receiving treatment for gender dysphoria, disorder of sex development, and partial androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Blake Tillery (19th) Health

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

Insurance Committee

HR 659

House Study Committee on Insurance Market Reform; create
Bill Summary: HR 659 establishes the House Study Committee on Insurance Market Reform. The committee will consist of eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House as well as three non-legislative members with expertise or qualifications as determined by the speaker.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) Insurance

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 774 Dekalb County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee Bill Summary: HB 774 authorizes the DeKalb County Probate Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By:

Rep. Omari Crawford (89th)
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

House Committee:

Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee

Local

Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 778 Upson County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee Bill Summary: HB 778 authorizes the Upson County Magistrate Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (134th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 780 Greensboro, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 780 provides a homestead exemption from City of Greensboro ad valorem taxes for all residents in the amount by which the current year assessed value exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of the homestead.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (124th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 781 Crawford County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee
Bill Summary: HB 781 authorizes the Crawford County Magistrate Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (134th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 785 Crawford County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee Bill Summary: HB 785 authorizes the Crawford County Probate Court to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (134th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 786 Dodge County Building and Public Facilities Authority; create Bill Summary: HB 786 creates the Dodge County Building and Public Facilities Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Danny Mathis (133rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 787 Chickamauga, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 787 provides a homestead exemption from the City of Chickamauga ad valorem taxes for residents 70 years of age or older and have been residents of the city for at least five years in the amount of $50,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steve Tarvin (2nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 788

Macon County; rename position of chief election official as chief election supervisor
Bill Summary: HB 788 renames the chief election official to the chief election supervisor of Macon County, and places the nonelection duties of the position under the supervision of the county manager of Macon County. Provisions related to the board of elections members' oath and meetings are also revised.

Authored By:

Rep. Patty Stinson (150th)
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

House Committee:

Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee

Local

Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 789 Oglethorpe, City of; certain hearings of the governing authority; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 789 revises powers of the mayor, city council, and municipal court of the City of Oglethorpe.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Patty Stinson (150th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 790 Macon County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee
Bill Summary: House Bill 790 authorizes the Probate Court of Macon County to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Patty Stinson (150th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 791 Butts County; ad valorem tax; increase homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 791 increases a homestead exemption from Butts County ad valorem taxes for residents who are 62 years of age or older from $4,000 to $20,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clint Crowe (118th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 793

Brunswick, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide for a new homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 793 provides a homestead exemption City of Brunswick ad valorem taxes in the following percentages off of the assessed value based on the number of years the resident has owned the home: five years or less, five percent; six to ten years, ten percent; 11 to 20 years, 20 percent; 21 to 29 years, 30 percent; 30 years or more, 50 percent.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rick Townsend (179th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 794 Clayton County; Board of Commissioners; code of ethics and board of ethics; revise and update provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 794 revises the powers and other provisions of the board of ethics of Clayton County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sandra Scott (76th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

HB 797 Homelessness Prevention Act of Chatham County; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 797 creates the Interagency Council on Homelessness for the City of Savannah and Chatham County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

HB 798 Spalding County; State Court; modernize, update, and readopt provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 798 revises the governing provisions, jurisdiction, and powers of the State Court of Spalding County. It also adds an additional judge and reauthorizes the court to collect technology fees.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Karen Mathiak (82nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

Judiciary Committee

SB 10

Superior Courts of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit; additional judge; provide
Bill Summary: SB 10 authorizes the governing authorities of counties within judicial circuits that have at least 15 superior court judges to provide funding for up to five judicial officers to serve those superior courts, with those judicial officers appointed by the chief judge of the circuit and requiring the same qualifications of superior court judges.

The judicial officers will not be elected, will serve terms not to exceed two years, and may be reappointed. Judicial officers will have all powers of a superior court judge, but will not preside over any case or matter related to a serious violent felony. Judicial officers will be employees of the county or counties that make up the judicial circuit.

Additionally, the bill revises provisions related to the protection of personally identifiable information of judges and judicial spouses. State and local government entities will remove or redact any personally identifiable information from publicly available content that specifically identifies a protected person as a judge, justice, or spouse.

Content held by a state or local government entity that includes personally identifiable information of a protected person but does not specifically identify a person as a judge, justice, or spouse will be removed upon request by the protected person through submission of a request in writing. The removing or redacting of information will take place within 30 days of receiving a valid request.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Russ Goodman (8th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 36

"Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 36 permits state and local governments to substantially burden a person's exercise of religion only if the entity demonstrates that the application of the burden to the person is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and it is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

A person who has been burdened in violation of law may assert the violation in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate relief, including a reasonable attorney fee in particular circumstances. Nothing in this bill will be construed to affect the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ed Setzler (37th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

SB 173

Pleadings and Motions; movants to file notices of uncontested motions in superior courts and state courts; authorize
Bill Summary: SB 173 provides that in the event a judge fails to rule upon a properly served uncontested pretrial motion within 60 days of filing, the moving party may file a notice of uncontested motion with the judge. If the judge fails to rule upon that motion within seven days, the motion will be deemed granted and entered. This process will be tolled when a hearing is scheduled

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

until the day after the hearing is held. The chief judge of the circuit may conduct a review if a judge has a motion deemed granted in two or more cases before that judge within two years.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Josh McLaurin (14th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 245

Grandparents; include within the category of persons who may seek to revoke or amend an existing grandparent visitation order
Bill Summary: SB 245 permits grandparents who have been granted visitation rights to their grandchild following the death, incapacitation, or incarceration of the parent of the child to petition the court for revocation or amendment of the visitation rights, as long as the petition has not been filed more than once during any two-year period.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Mike Hodges (3rd) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Public and Community Health Committee

HR 611

House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge; create
Bill Summary: HR 611 creates the House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge, which will study the abandonment of children after psychiatric hospitalization and other types of out-of-home care. The committee will be comprised of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) Public and Community Health

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

SB 30

Hospitals and Related Institutions; hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications for certain purposes to minors; prohibit prescribing or administering
Bill Summary: SB 30 limits the prescription and administration of puberty-blocking medications or therapies for the purpose of altering the appearance of or affirming a minor's perception of their sex if it is inconsistent with their biological sex. Such medication may be used if a minor has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by two behavioral health professionals including one psychiatrist or psychologist; authorized parents or legal guardians have given written informed consent; and the minor undergoes quarterly psychological counseling throughout treatment.

The licensed prescribing physician must be board certified in pediatrics and either pediatric endocrinology or adolescent medicine. The physician must assess the patient's medical history, mental health, and any underlying conditions as well as submit treatment progress reports to the Georgia Composite Medical Board annually.

Minors being treated with puberty-blocking medication before July 1, 2025 may continue treatment without such requirements. A legal guardian or parent with the authority to consent to such treatment may bring civil action against an institution that provided treatment if it is within two years and violates the aforementioned provisions.

The bill also provides definitions for "hormone therapy," "puberty-blocking medication," "sex," and "sex reassignment surgery."

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ben Watson (1st) Public and Community Health

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

SB 21

Local Governments; violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies; waive sovereign and governmental immunities
Bill Summary: SB 21 waives sovereign and governmental immunities for local governments and their officials and employees for a violation of the prohibition on sanctuary policies.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Blake Tillery (19th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

SB 29

DNA Sampling, Collection, and Analysis; collection of DNA samples of individuals arrested for the commission of a felony at the time such individuals are booked or otherwise processed by a detention facility; provide
Bill Summary: SB 29 provides for the collection of DNA samples of individuals arrested for the commission of a serious violent felony at the time of their booking or processing at a detention facility.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Rick Williams (25th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Rules Committee

SB 69

"Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 69, the 'Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act,' regulates thirdparty litigation financing in Georgia. This legislation requires litigation financiers to register with the Department of Banking and Finance and to disclose pertinent information. It also includes specific restrictions, such as a prohibition on foreign affiliations.

The bill outlines contract requirements, disclosure obligations, and cancellation provisions to protect consumers. It also allows for the discovery of litigation financing agreements and establishes penalties for law violations.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Rules

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 255

General Assembly; authorization of statutory investigatory powers to certain committees of the General Assembly; codify a process
Bill Summary: SB 255 amends Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, establishing a process for granting investigatory powers to General Assembly committees.

Section 1 amends 28-1-17, allowing:

(a) The Senate or the House of Representatives to authorize committees to exercise investigatory powers per Code Section 45-15-19 through rules or resolutions. They may also approve joint committees to exercise powers outlined in Code Section 45-15-9.

(b) Authorized committees can administer oaths, compel testimony, require witness attendance, demand document production, and take depositions. They may also issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents, which can be served statewide as allowed by Code Section 24-13-24.

(c) If someone refuses to comply with a subpoena, the committee can seek assistance from the superior court in the relevant jurisdiction. The court can compel attendance and impose contempt of court penalties for noncompliance.

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Committee Actions

(d) Confidentiality of materials and information during investigations is protected by law. If a subpoena application seeks confidentiality, the court will act to preserve it. The chairperson may either abandon the request or proceed based on the court's determination regarding privacy.

(e) This section and related provisions do not limit any authority, privilege, or power of the General Assembly or its committees. Additionally, it does not affect investigations or subpoenas issued by committees before this amendment's effective date.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bill Cowsert (46th) Rules

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee

SB 111

"Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 111 defines several terms and establishes regulations regarding the protection of consumer personal data in the state. Known as the 'Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act,' the bill gives consumers the right to invoke various privacy rights, including confirming the processing of their personal information, deleting personal information, and opting out of certain processing activities.

The bill applies to businesses operating within the state that generate over $25 million in revenue and meet certain criteria related to the processing of personal information. Criteria includes controlling or processing personal information of at least 25,000 consumers and deriving more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of personal information, or controlling or processing personal information of at least 175,000 consumers in a calendar year.

"Controllers" of personal data are entities that determine the purpose and means of processing personal information. Controllers are required to establish a process for consumers to appeal decisions related to their privacy rights. Controllers must limit the collection and processing of personal information, implement data security practices, provide clear privacy notices, and are prohibited from processing sensitive data without consent from the consumer. Controllers must respond to consumer requests within specified timeframes and provide information free of charge, with certain exceptions.

"Processors" of personal data are entities that process personal information on behalf of a controller. The bill outlines the obligations of processors, the handling of de-identified data, and various exemptions for lawful processing, such as cooperating with law enforcement. It specifies that contracts limiting consumer privacy rights are void and unenforceable.

The bill does not conflict with specific health record management requirements or federal law mandates. It provides the attorney general with investigatory authority, and establishes an affirmative defense for controllers and processors with compliant privacy policies based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or comparable privacy framework.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Technology and Infrastructure Innovation

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 Do Pass

Ways & Means Committee
HR 557 House Study Committee on Georgia's Investment Funds; create
Bill Summary: HR 557 creates the House Study Committee on Georgia's Investment Funds. The committee will be comprised of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker, of which two will be of the Minority Caucus. The committee will stand abolished on

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 26, 2025

Committee Actions

December 31, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick (95th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-26-2025 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 - March 27, 2025

03/27/2025 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD36) (House)

House

Chamber

03/27/2025 1:00 PM EDUCATION (House)

506 CLOB

03/27/2025 1:00 PM JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL (House)

132 CAP

03/27/2025 1:00 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Sales Tax 415 CLOB

(House)

03/27/2025 1:00 PM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS (Upon Adjournment) (House)

406 CLOB

03/27/2025 1:30 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM 403 CAP (House)

03/27/2025 2:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES (House)

515 CLOB

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