Gold Dome Report - Legislative Day 39 - April 2025

Strike up the band! The penultimate day of the 2025 Legislative Session has come! Legislative Day 39 continues as this Gold Dome Report goes online, and Sine Die Eve has already proven to be a spectacle. From a marching band roaming the halls to a walkout by House Democrats ahead of a divisive floor vote — you never know what kind of show you might see in the Georgia State Capitol as a session draws to a close. But have no fear, you can keep up with the endgame antics with the #GoldDomeReport.

Legislators are expected to work late into the evening on Wednesday before taking Thursday off to prepare for Legislative Day 40 and adjournment Sine Die on Friday. While lawmakers and lobbyists continue to jockey for votes and agreements on their many measures, inquisitive eyes remain focused on appropriators for a hint on when the compromise FY 2026 State Budget will be struck. One thing is certain — the session won’t end until then.

In this Report:

• Floor Action
• Committee Reports
• New Legislation
• What’s Next

Floor Action

The House took up the following measures on Legislative Day 38 after our publication deadline:

• SB 99 - Crimes and Offenses; definition of law enforcement officer; provide (Substitute)(PS&HS-Reeves-99th) Robertson-29th - PASSED 152-11
• SB 130 - Health; medical education funding and the service cancelable loan program; expand (Hth-Townsend-179th) Hodges-3rd - PASSED 155-7
• SB 191 - Employment Security; certain notice provisions relating to benefits and appeals; revise (I&L-Howard-71st) Still-48th - PASSED 146-16
• SB 199 - State Ethics Commission; shall not accept or reject complaints made against candidates 60 days prior to an election; provide (GAff-Cannon-172nd) Watson-11th - PASSED 167-1
• SB 201 - Consumer Transactions; increased consumer protection for homeowners entering into contracts with contractors following natural disasters; provide (Substitute)(A&CA-Hagan-156th) Walker III-20th - PASSED 163-1
• SB 212 - "Quality Basic Education Act,"; disclosure of public student directory information to political candidates or persons or groups acting on their behalf; prohibit (Substitute)(Ed-Jones-25th) Still-48th - PASSED 98-66
• SB 213 - "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," commercial cheating services that target students and examinees seeking a professional license as an unlawful, unfair, and deceptive trade practice; ban (RegI-Martin-49th) Kirkpatrick-32nd - PASSED 155-7
• SB 241 - Funeral Directors; organic human reduction as a means of disposing of deceased human bodies; provide (RegI-Powell-33rd) Williams-25th - PASSED 157-4
• SB 298 - Judgements and Rulings; certain appellate procedures regarding the denial of sovereign and any other immunity available to the state; provide (Substitute)(Judy-Leverett-123rd) Robertson-29th (Rules Committee Substitute LC 48 1601S) - PASSED 142-23

The House took the following further actions on Legislative Day 38 after our publication deadline:

• HB 123 - Criminal procedure; pretrial proceedings in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought when the accused has an intellectual disability; provide - AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE 150-3
• HB 266 -Income tax; exempt income received as personal compensation for full-time duty in the active military service of the United States - AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED BY HOUSE 164-0
• HB 268 - Education; safety, health, and well-being of students and school communities; provide - AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE 154-12
• HB 288 - Appeal and error; declaratory judgments in instances involving accusations made by a prosecuting attorney regarding credibility of a peace officer; provide - AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE 152-14

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 38 after our publication deadline:

• HB 216 - Richard H. Smith Georgia CHIPS Advancement in Research and Economic Development Act; enact - PASSED 50-2
• HB 240 - Mortgage lenders and brokers; prohibit unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions related to mortgage trigger leads - PASSED 51-1
• HB 322 - Ga. Board of Dentistry; issuance of a dental or dental hygiene license for the sole purpose of teaching in an accredited dental, dental hygiene school, or academic medical center; revise provisions - PASSED 52-0
• HB 327 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated; amend various titles - PASSED 49-0
• HB 358 - Agriculture; prohibiting acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain foreign persons and entities; provide for a definition - PASSED 35-20
• HB 416 - Local government; enterprise zones; revise class of retailer from which fees may be collected - PASSED 47-8
• HB 511 - Insurance; deductions from taxable income for contributions by taxpayers to catastrophe savings accounts and interest earned on such accounts; provide - PASSED 54-0
• HR 7 - George C. Trulock, Jr. Memorial Highway; Grady County; dedicate - ADOPTED 49-0
• HR 121 - John W. Mixon Georgia Forestry Building; Dry Branch Community; dedicate - ADOPTED 54-0

The Senate took the following further actions on Legislative Day 38 after our publication deadline:

• HB 58 - Aviation; adoption of local ordinances, resolution, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; authorize - AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE 54-0
• SB 1 - 'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact - AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 34-20
• SB 121 - Uninsured Motorist Coverage; minimum required under motor vehicle liability policies for a individual convicted of driving under the influence or reckless driving; increase - AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 51-2
• SB 140 - Optometrists; doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents to patients under certain conditions; provide - AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 52-0
• SB 141 - Revenue and Taxation; the appeal and protest period from 30 days to 45 days for tax assessments; extend - AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 47-6
• SB 154 - United States Department of Education; references from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise or remove - AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 44-8

The House took up the following measures on Legislative Day 39:

• SB 5 - Private Review Agents; health insurers to implement and maintain a program that allows for the selective application of reductions in prior authorization requirements; provide (Substitute)(Ins-Hawkins-27th) Kirkpatrick-32nd (Rules Committee Substitute LC 52 0855S) - PASSED 169-2
• SB 17 - "Ricky and Alyssa's Law"; enact (Substitute)(Ed-Persinger-119th) Anavitarte-31st (Rules Committee Substitute LC 49 2408S) - PASSED 171-0
• SB 100 - "Andee's Law"; enact (Judy-Gullett-19th) Robertson-29th - PASSED 145-14
• SB 125 - Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; decouple the sequential order of experience and examination requirements (RegI-Hawkins-27th) Walker III-20th (Rules Committee Substitute LC 55 0644S) - PASSED 104-61
• SB 131 - Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce; Georgia Health Care Professionals Data System; establishment (Substitute) (RegI-Townsend-179th) Hodges-3rd (Rules Committee Substitute LC 33 9827ERS) - PASSED 166-3
• SB 132 - Insanity and Mental Incapacity; hearing before a court orders an evaluation of the mental competency of an accused person to stand trial; require (Substitute)(JudyNC-Smith-18th) Strickland-42nd - PASSED 142-24
• SB 173 - Pleadings and Motions; movants to file notices of uncontested motions in superior courts and state courts; authorize (Substitute)(Judy-Gunter-8th) McLaurin-14th - PASSED 168-0
• SB 185 - Correctional Institutions of State and Counties; use of state funds or resources for certain treatments for state inmates; prohibit (P&CH-Hilton-48th) Robertson-29th - PASSED 100-2
• SB 244 - Criminal Proceedings; the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in a criminal case to the defendant upon such defendant making a successful motion to disqualify the prosecuting attorney for misconduct in connection with the case; provide (Substitute)(JudyNC-Martin-49th) Beach-21st - PASSED 103-61
• SB 259 - Juvenile Code; certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; provide (JudyJ-Ballinger-23rd) Brass-6th - PASSED 163-0
• SR 8 - Deputy Brandon Cunningham Memorial Intersection; Paulding County; dedicate (Substitute)(Trans-Prince-132nd) Anavitarte-31st - ADOPTED 168-0
• SR 231 - Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial Interchange; Fulton County; dedicate (Substitute)(Trans-Hilton-48th) Albers-56th - ADOPTED 163-0

The House took the following further actions on Legislative Day 39:

• HB 94 - Insurance; medically necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation services when a medically necessary treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus may directly or indirectly cause an impairment of fertility; require coverage - MOTION TO AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE 162-3
• HB 182 - Life insurance; excluding or restricting liability for certain deaths occurring while an individual is an active duty service member; prohibit - MOTION TO AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED BY HOUSE 166-2
• HB 575 - Transportation, Department of; authorize notice of certain public hearings by electronic publication - MOTION TO AGREE TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE 167-1

The Senate took up the following measures on Legislative Day 39:

• HB 37 - Education; require local school systems to notify employees regarding social security withholdings and eligibility for certain benefits (Substitute) (ED&Y-37th) Leverett-123rd - PASSED 52-0
• HB 54 - Health; advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to order home healthcare services; authorize (Substitute) (RI&U-6th) Clark100t - PASSED 54-1
• HB 105 - Public officers and employees; increase indemnification award of certain state public school personnel in the event of death (Substitute) (RULES50th) Wade-9th - PASSED 51-0
• HB 129 - Ad valorem tax; bona fide conservation use property; remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities (Substitute) (RULES-11th) Cannon-172nd - PASSED 44-9
• HB 179 - Appellate practice; digital recording of certain trial proceedings; provide (Substitute) (JUDY-42nd) Smith-18th - PASSED 52-0
• HB 180 - Probate courts; modify certain requirements for probate judges (JUDY50th) Smith-18th - PASSED 48-2
• HB 325 - Domestic relations; Protective Order Registry; revise certain definitions (JUDY-42nd) Martinez-111th - PASSED 52-0
• HB 371 - Quality Basic Education Act; state's maximum authorization of capital outlay funding; provide for an increase (Substitute) (ED&Y-18th) Corbett-174th - PASSED 50-4
• HB 397 - Elections; allow municipalities to opt in to providing advance voting on Saturdays for municipal elections (Substitute) (ETHICS-25th) Fleming114th - PASSED 33-23
• HB 398 - Food, drugs, and cosmetics; authorize production and sale of cottage food items with certain exemptions, requirements, and disclosures (AG&CA11th) Hagan-156th - PASSED 54-2
• HB 454 - Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act; enact (RULES-46th) Gaines120t PASSED 47-0
• HB 513 - Local government; criteria for service delivery strategy; revise provisions (Substitute) (SLGO(G)-23rd) LaHood-175th - PASSED 50-2
• HB 532 - Conservation and natural resources; grants and special revenue disbursements; revise provisions (FIN-3rd) DeLoach-167th - PASSED 44-5
• SB 214 - Elections and Primaries; electors to cast physical absentee on-request ballots as an alternative to using other authorized means of casting inperson votes; authorize (Substitute) (ETHICS-23rd - PASSED 33-23
• SR 237 - Professional Standards Commission; provide recommendations to support the state's K-12 education workforce and teacher and school leader pipeline; urge (Substitute) (ED&Y-4th) - ADOPTED 53-0

The Senate took the following further actions on Legislative Day 39:

• The Senate adopted its consent calendar which establishes a host of study committees.

Committee Reports

House Health Committee

Chairman Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) and the House Health Committee took up these measures on Tuesday afternoon:

• SB 91, authored by Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), passed the Senate adding a new Code section at O.C.G.A. 45-18-6.2 to address contracting provisions of the State Health Benefit Plan with pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”). It sought to prohibit the state from entering into a contract with a PBM owning a retail pharmacy. At this meeting, a new substitute was offered, stripping the bill’s original language and inserting a requirement for health insurers to provide annual prostate cancer screenings. Further, it added language to provide for Medicare supplement policies to be issued to individuals under 65 years of age. The committee gave the new substitute a DO PASS recommendation, moving the legislation forward to the House Rules Committee.
• SB 39, also authored by Senator Tillery (R-Vidalia), now amends Titles 45 and 49. It too was a new substitute. The legislation considered prohibits the coverage of expenses for any transition-related intervention under the state health benefit plan or with any state funds. It also prohibits state healthcare facilities and healthcare providers employed by the state from providing any transition-related intervention and also prohibits any state-owned correctional facility and healthcare providers employed by the state at those facilities from providing such transition-related intervention. Such health plan coverage prohibition would occur beginning on January 1, 2026. “Transition-related intervention” is defined as “any medical procedure performed for the purpose of: A) enabling an individual to identify with or live as a purported identity inconsistent with such individual’s sex or B) treating an individual’s purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between such individual’s sex and asserted identity.” This language is from HB 660, authored by Representative Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville). There was a great deal of discussion from the committee on this proposal with questions on whether there was a fiscal note and the funding that would be saved by passing this measure.

There were also members of the public who spoke to the legislation with all opposing the proposal. Those testifying included an internal medicine physician and a pediatrician. They argued that this type of care is backed by evidence-based medicine and is supported by the AMA, and others. Ending or prohibiting this care could be life-threatening to individuals (more depression, suicidality, etc.). There were arguments that this legislation would essentially establish a two-tiered medical system. One of the physicians argued that was asking physicians, who take an oath to do no harm, to violate their oath. Georgia Equality also spoke in opposition as the legislation would violate the constitution and the state has already faced lawsuits about denial of care. Attempts were made to amend the legislation but those failed. The substitute passed, moving it forward to the House Rules Committee.

House Relations and Aging Committee

Chairman Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) held a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to hear one resolution:

• HR 816, brought by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), seeks to establish the House Study Committee on an At-Risk Populations Abuse Registry. The committee aims to explore the feasibility of creating a registry to document individuals who have committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation against at-risk populations, such as individuals with disabilities and older adults. The committee will consist of eight members, including three from the House of Representatives and five non-legislative members appointed by the Speaker of the House. The committee's tasks include reviewing similar registries in other states, assessing the feasibility and potential impact of such a registry in Georgia, and identifying necessary legislative changes. The committee is expected to solicit input from stakeholders and report its findings, with the possibility of recommending legislation. There was no testimony and the committee voted DO PASS.

House Education Committee

Chairman Chris Erwin (R-Homer) convened his committee for a Tuesday afternoon meeting where they considered four measures:

• HR 711, by Representative Chris Erwin (R-Homer) seeks to create the House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK-12 Education. The committee voted DO PASS.
• HB 310, by Representative Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta), is the Student Teacher Promotion Act, aimed at enhancing the recruitment of teachers by providing $7,500 grants to student teachers. Public schools and local school systems must apply for these grants, although student teachers at schools that have not applied can apply directly to the State Board of Education.

Skylar Nunley, State Student Organizer for Georgia Association of Educators, spoke in favor of the bill. Having recently completed his student teaching, he testified that student teaching is a 40-hour-per-week unpaid internship, added to the burden of taking classes simultaneously, which makes it nearly impossible to work another job. Robert Aycock with PAGE also spoke in favor of the bill. This was a hearing-only, and Chairman Erwin commented that he hopes this is a measure that can move next session.

• SB 152, by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), expands the "Georgia Promise Scholarship Act" to include the biological or adopted children of individuals who are foster parents. Senator Dolezal noted that the House added sections 1 and 2 to the current version of the bill (LC 49 2402) but he is not supportive of Section 2. He also told the committee he wants to expand the bill to include foster children who have begun the process of adoption. Funding for the Promise Scholarship is capped, with expectations of roughly 20,000 students to subscribe, but if the fund is over-subscribed, foster families will be moved to the front of the line.

Six people spoke to the bill. Those in favor included a teacher and school choice advocate who noted that “hundreds if not thousands of parents have shared how life-changing this opportunity would be for their child.” Also in favor was Nicole Doyle of Georgia Black Home Educators and Dekalb Christian Educators, who supports the bill but is opposed to Section 2.

The two who opposed the bill included Margaret Ciccorelli from PAGE, who commented that this is a big policy to be considered on Day 38. PAGE appreciates that the bill clarifies what was passed last year but is concerned about the underlying bill because it’s not fair to give vouchers to foster siblings but not the foster kids themselves.

Jamie Lord, with the American Federation for Children, an organization that “promotes educational opportunities for all students who need it,” supports the bill but would like to see it expand eligibility even further. The committee voted DO PASS.

• SB 179, by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), was gutted and stuffed. Having an original caption of “Education; the academic and disciplinary records of each transferring student shall be provided within five days; require,” the substitute for the bill (LC 49 2409 S) now contains language from HB 487 by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), which requires that a computer science course shall be a high school graduation requirement by 2031 (for the graduating class of 2037). The committee voted DO PASS.
• HR 887, by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), seeks to create the House Study Committee on Reducing and Prioritizing Mandates for Public School Administration. The committee voted DO PASS unanimously.

House Public and Community Health Committee

Chaired by Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), the House Public and Community Health Committee met for one of the final meetings of the day on Tuesday afternoon. They considered six measures:

• HB 872, by Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marrietta), establishes a right to contraception for women, which is something the Georgia Code is currently silent on. This was a hearing only.
• SB 101, by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), originally provided for the testing and screening of newborns for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but the bill was gutted and stuffed with language from HB 87, by Representative David Clark (R-Buford), addressing insurance coverage for orthotic and prosthetic devices. Specifically, the bill will mandate health benefit policies to cover medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices, including their materials and components, for activities of daily living, essential job-related activities, personal hygiene, and physical activities. Coverage is limited to three devices per affected limb per covered person over a three-year period, encompassing all necessary materials, components, design, fabrication, education, training, and repairs. The committee voted DO PASS.
• HR 304, by Representative Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek), creates the House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking. Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) asked if a study committee is really needed for this, as it seems like a quick Google search could answer the questions, and we all know smoking is bad. Three people spoke in favor of the resolution including representatives of the Medical Association of GA, American Lung Association, and GA Budget & Policy Institute. The committee recommended DO PASS.
• HR 593, by Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta), seeks to create the House Study Committee on Maternal, Prenatal, and Pediatric Care Access and Funding, aiming to address critical healthcare issues in Georgia. The committee is tasked with evaluating the current state of maternal, prenatal, and pediatric healthcare, identifying barriers to access, exploring additional funding sources, and assessing workforce and infrastructure needs. The committee voted DO PASS.
• HR 847, by Representative Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), will create the House Study Committee on Evaluating Funding for Public Health. The resolution highlights the importance of a well-funded public health system for the state's health security and economic well-being, noting that public health has historically been underfunded compared to healthcare. The committee voted DO PASS.
• SB 185, by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), seeks to prohibit sex transition or reassignment surgeries for inmates in Georgia prisons.

There were questions from Democrats about discrimination. Representative Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek) said she doesn't like a vulnerable subset of patients being singled out for political purposes. Representative Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) asked if mental health care resources will be increased if this care (which helps with mental health) is denied. She also asked if inmates could pay out of pocket and how much trans people are costing the state right now to provoke this bill. No, inmates cannot have elective procedures, even if they cover the costs privately. There are currently five individuals right now seeking care, and the state has no policy, leaving the state open to lawsuits if the care is denied currently.

A representative from the Center for Constitutional Rights testified that this policy would put lives at risk and create constitutional challenges. Denial of care increases the risk of severe psychological issues. The cost of lawsuits and the cost of additional mental health care is higher than simply providing gender-affirming care. Further stated, there is no reason to rush judgment on this issue when it is currently pending before the Supreme Court. There was no public comment in favor of the bill.

Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estate) pointed out that the rationale behind the bill is that the cost is too high to provide this care, but we have received testimony that the cost of lawsuits is higher than the cost of providing care. Drenner motioned to table the bill, but the motion failed, and the committee voted DO PASS.

New Legislation

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced: