New Georgia laws went into effect July 1

July 12, 2023 Jessica Waters

As of July 1, Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are prohibited in Georgia waters within 200 feet of a shoreline, moored boats, homes or businesses; pregnant women in Georgia can apply for welfare; gang-related crimes carry stiffer penalties; schools are required to hold an active shooter drill each year; and TikTok is banned on all government devices.

Other legislation now in effect includes mandatory time off for voting, the approval of a second year of state income tax refunds between $250 and $500 for most taxpayers., and the imposition of sales tax on many digital goods bought online.

These, and more than 350 other bills were passed by the Georgia Legislature and signed by Governor Brian Kemp, in 2023. A large number of those bills impact only specific municipalities or counties, or apply only to a limited constituency. But a number of bills enacted rules, regulations and laws that went into effect on July 1, and which could impact the lives of WNEG listeners.

House Bill 121 bans wake surfing or wakeboarding on state waters “within 200 feet of any moored vessel; any wharf, dock, pier, piling, or bridge structure or abutment; or any shoreline adjacent to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area.” Wakeboarding or wakesurfing are also now prohibited between sunset and sunrise. The bill also mandates that all wakeboarders and wakesurfers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while participating in these activities.The bill does not apply to a permitted regatta, boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition and does not apply on Intracoastal waterways, rivers, or private lakes.

Senate Bill 140 bans most “gender-affirming” surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender patients under the age of 18.

House Bill 189 allows trucks transporting logging and farming commodities to weigh more than the current limit of 84,000 pounds, under certain circumstances.

Senate Bill 92 creates a Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission that can discipline or even remove district attorneys for refusal to prosecute specific crimes.

House Bill 129 allows low income pregnant women to see cash assistance through Georgia’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Prior to the passage of HB129, TANF could only be applied for if a child was already born and living in the home.

Senate Bill 44 adds a mandatory 10 years to the prison sentence of anyone convicted of recruiting minors into a gang, and requires, in many cases, the addition of five years to the sentence of anyone convicted of gang activity.

House Bill 147 requires all schools to hold an active shooter drill once per year, and requires schools to submit a safety plan to the state each year. The bill also institutes state-wide anti-gang training for teachers.

House Bill 538, called the Georgia Early Literacy Act, requires the state Department of Education to develop a list of approved instructional materials for local school systems for students in kindergarten through third grade, and provide screening tests to track progress. Children identified as falling behind will get an individualized plan within 30 days to help them catch up. The reading assessments will begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

Senate Bill129 allows employees to take time off work to cast their ballot during early in-person voting or on election day.

Senate Bill 62 prohibits hospitals, local governments, and local authorities from dropping off homeless individuals in counties other than such person’s county of residency. The bill also requires the enforcement of bans on homeless people camping in public places.

House Bill 227 criminalizes the attack of systems providing electricity, water, sewer, internet, public transportation, emergency services or health care by either physical or electronic means.

Senate Bill 93 bans the installation or use of TikTok on state-owned electronic devices.

Senate Bill 222 makes it a felony for local governments to accept money to fund elections from any entity except the state or federal government

House Bill 162 grants a second year of state income tax refunds between $250 and $500 for most taxpayers.

Senate Bill 56 imposes sales tax on books, music, movies, pictures, games and other digital goods bought online.

Senate Bill 146 requires public charging stations to track their kilowatt-hour usage and collect a tax per every 11 kWh.

Senate Bill 133 would require juvenile court judges to take additional steps before they could order some children into foster care.

A full list of legislation acted on in the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, and voting records for our local representatives, is included below.

351 SENATE BILLS INTRODUCED

Erwin/Hatchett votes listed after each Bill

KEY: Bill Number in Red – Legislation specifically regarding Stephens County or adjacent Counties

KEY: Bill Title in Red – General legislation may have impact on or interest to Currahee Dispatch readers.

Where possible, the Link on the Bill number will take you to the Bill’s main page on the Georgia General Assembly official website. The link on the title of the bill will, if possible, take you to the full bill text, either on the GGA website, or, if not available there, on an outside bill tracking service.

Note: Vote information on bills that were voted on in one chamber, but did not advance to a vote in the other chamber, are included in this list, for the reason that knowing our local legislator’s vote on a subject can be helpful for citizens/voters, regardless of whether the bill ended up being enacted or not.

Bills that did not reach a vote in either Chamber have not been included. Nor have bills that are specific only to residents of a community not including Stephens County or adjacent communities (IE, changes in Commission charter in Fulton County, etc.)

SB 259 Superior Court of Banks County; relating to general provisions regarding the superior courts, so as to move the Superior Court of Banks County from the Piedmont Judicial Circuit to the Mountain Judicial Circuit

Author: Sen Bo Hatchett

Passed Senate 51/2; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 3 “Reducing Barriers to State Employment Act of 2023″; enact (significantly: to require efforts to reduce the number of positions for which a four-year college degree is required; )

Passed Senate 49/1; Passed House 168/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 13 Public Sales; tax levies and executions; authorize online (Significantly: relating to where and when sales under execution held and change of place of public sales by court order, sales made on foreclosure under power of sale, and procedures for sales under tax levies and executions, respectively, so as to authorize online public sales under tax levies and executions; to provide a time frame for sales of real estate under foreclosure powers)

Passed Senate 34/14; Passed House 152/14

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 20 “Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act”; ensure consumer access to quality healthcare by setting adequacy standards for network plans offered by an insurer

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 166/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 42 Human Trafficking Hotline Information; relating to posting model notice with human trafficking hotline information in businesses and on internet, so as to increase the fine for failure to comply with model notice requirements

Passed Senate 51/1; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Signed by Governor 4/11

SB 44 Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act; to provide for mandatory minimum penalties for violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Authored by Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed House 99/74; Passed Senate 30/20

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Signed by Governor 4/26

SB 45 Education; relating to health of students in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the care of students being treated for epilepsy or a seizure disorder

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Signed by Governor 4/13

SB 55 Counties, Municipal Corporations, and other Governmental Entities; relating to general provisions relative to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to prohibit the regulation of businesses of persons under 18 years of age

Passed House 139/30; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Excused

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 56 Ad Valorem Taxation; Relating to ad valorem taxation, so as to require the state revenue commissioner to contract with the board of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia to offer certain county tax commissioners the option to participate in a state administered deferred compensation plan

Passed House 168/1; Passed Senate 49/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 47 Offenses Against Public Health And Morals; to provide that vaping in restricted areas is a misdemeanor punishable by fine

Passed Senate 51/3; Passed House 152/14

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 61 Sick Leave for Care of Immediate Family Members; relating to use of sick leave for care of immediate family members, so as to repeal the sunset provision relating to such sick leave requirements

Passed Senate 54/1; Passed House 172/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 62 Counties and Municipal Corporations; to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, (a) A county or municipal corporation shall not adopt or enforce any written policy under which the county or municipal corporation prohibits the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting unauthorized public camping, sleeping, or obstruction of sidewalks. (b) A county or municipal corporation shall not adopt a written policy prohibiting a peace officer or prosecuting attorney from enforcing any order or ordinance prohibiting unauthorized public camping, sleeping, or obstruction of sidewalks.

Passed House 99/76; Passed Senate 36/20

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 60 Secondary Metals Recyclers; so as to provide that it shall be illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper

Author Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed House 162/4; Passed Senate 48/1

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 84 “Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008”; to provide for financial protections for elder and disabled adults who may be victims of financial exploitation

Passed Senate 51/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 86 Education; to allow eligible students participating in the Dual Enrollment program to access HOPE career grant funds for certain CTAE courses irrespective of whether they have reached maximum credit hour caps

Passed House 167/0; Passed Senate 45/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Not Voting

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 93 Information Technology; to restrict the use of certain social media platforms on state equipment A state employee or student shall not install, use, or visit any social media platform on state equipment when (1) The company that directly or indirectly owns or operates such social media platform is: (A) Directly or indirectly owned or operated by a foreign adversary or is domiciled in, has its principal place of business in, has headquarters in, or is organized under the laws of a foreign adversary;

Passed House 174/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 99 Certificate of Need Requirements; relating to exemptions from certificate of need requirements, so as to provide an exemption for acute care hospitals established in rural counties that meet certain criteria

Passed Senate 42/13; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 127 Excise Tax; relating to excise tax on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, so as to provide procedures for certain local governments to change the designated private sector nonprofit organization engaged to promote tourism, conventions, and trade shows for such jurisdiction

Passed Senate 50/2; Passed House 161/4

Sent to Governor 4

SB 116 Disposition of Municipal Property; relating to disposition of municipal property generally, so as to revise provisions relating to the maximum term of certain leases or contracts for the use, operation, or management of real or personal property owned by a municipality for recreational facilities

Passed Senate 52/2; Passed House 170/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 129 Primaries and Elections; so as to provide for time off for employees to advance vote; to provide for related matters

Passed House 161/9; Passed Senate 46/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 133 Juvenile Code; a uniform process to assume custody of children as a result of disposition orders; create

Passed House 102/69; Passed Senate 48/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 140 Hospitals; relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to prohibit certain surgical procedures for the treatment of gender dysphoria in minors from being performed in hospitals and other licensed healthcare facilities; to provide for exceptions; to provide for violations; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Composite Medical Board, so as to prohibit certain surgical procedures for the treatment of gender dysphoria in minors; to provide for exceptions

Passed House 97/74; Passed Senate 31/21

Erwin Y; Hatchett &

Signed by Governor 3/23

SB 145 “Landscape Equipment and Agricultural Fairness (LEAF) Act”; relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prohibit local regulations that create differing standards for or distinguish gasoline-powered leaf blowers from similar equipment

Passed Senate 37/16; Passed House 103/67

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 146 Georgia Public Service Commission; to provide for limitations upon the ownership, operation, and maintenance of 9 electric vehicle charging stations by electric utilities; to provide for standards for rates, terms, 10 and conditions of service by an electric utility in certain instances; to provide regulative 11 authority to the Department of Agriculture over electric vehicle charging stations;

Passed House 175/1; Passed Senate 51/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 149 To enact the “Georgia Door-to-Door Sales Act”; to require sellers to furnish to buyers receipts and copies of any contracts; to require sellers to provide notice of how to cancel a sale; to restrict certain door-to-door sales

Passed House 160/1; Passed Senate 47/2

Erwin Y; Erwin Excused

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 158 Property Insurance; to provide for an insurance premium discount or rate reduction for property owners who build a new residential or commercial property or who retrofit an existing residential or commercial property located in this state that better resists tornado, hurricane, or other catastrophic windstorm events

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 166/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Not Voting

SB 159 Correctional Institutions of States and Counties; relating to general provisions regarding correctional institutions of states and counties, so as to prohibit wireless communications and stand-alone electronic devices behind guard lines

Passed Senate 34/20; Passed House 103/72

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 160 Employment Security; to extend certain provisions relating to the rate of employer contributions and variations from the standard rate; to provide for administrative assessments on wages; to provide for additional assessments for new or newly covered employers; to authorize the collection of administrative assessments

Passed Senate 34/21; Passed House 97/68

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 164 Nurses; To provide for licensure of advanced practice registered nurses; to revise definitions; to provide for licensure requirements; to provide for renewal of licenses; to provide for a misdemeanor to practice advanced nursing practice without a license

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 193 Broadband Services to provide for the Department of Community Affairs to determine locations that are eligible for state or federal funding programs administered by the state for improved broadband services; to provide for rules, regulations, and guidance for determinations

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 195 “Freedom to Work Act”; to enact statutes to facilitate licensure of transitioning service members, military spouses, and other qualified individuals who have certifications from or work experience in the military or licenses from or work experience in another state under certain conditions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 197 “Health Care Practitioners Truth and Transparency Act”; to prohibit deceptive or misleading terms or false representations by health care practitioners in advertisements and representations; to prohibit the misappropriation of medical or medical specialty titles by health care practitioners in advertisements and representations

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 47/1

Erwin Not Voting; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 213 Zoning Procedures; relating to zoning procedures, so as to prohibit local governments from preventing the continuance of lawful nonconforming use of property when a preexisting manufactured home or mobile home is replaced with another such home; to provide for exceptions

Passed Senate 45/10; Passed House 169/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 216 Children and Youth Services; to authorize respite care for foster parents for longer periods of time pursuant to circumstances delineated in rules and regulations established by the Department of Human Services

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 217 “Eliminating Ghost Plates Act”; ., relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as to provide for the offense of operation of a motor vehicle with a fraudulent license plate

Passed Senate 51/4; Passed House 110/59

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 223 Health; relating to general provisions regarding health, so as to authorize reimbursement of patient incurred expenses related to participation in a cancer clinical trial

Passed Senate 53/1; Passed House 170/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 1 State Government; automatic repealer on the prohibition on state and local governments from requiring proof of COVID vaccination for government services; remove Passed Senate 31/21; Passed House 99/69

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 4 “Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act”; enact

Passed Senate 55/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 11 “Georgia Fights Terrorism Act”; enact (Significantly: so as to provide for concurrent jurisdiction by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in cases involving the identification, investigation, arrest, and prosecution of an individual or groups of individuals for violation of state laws concerning domestic, cyber, biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorism)

Passed Senate 49/3; Passed House 165/0

Hatchett Excused; Erwin Y

SB 12 “Protecting Victims and Dismantling Georgia Street Gangs Act”; enact (significantly: to provide for sentencing to minimum terms of imprisonment for persons convicted of possession of firearms by convicted felons and first offender probationers when the offense for which such person is on probation or has been previously convicted is a forcible felony or a domestic violence felony or an act of family violence)

Passed Senate 44/8; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 19 Courts; collection of passport application and processing fees by clerks of superior courts and probate court judges; provide (significantly: to provide for collection of passport application and processing fees by clerks of superior courts and probate court judges; to provide for written report disclosures; to provide for use of such fees; to provide for local Acts; to provide for applicability to judges of probate courts)

Passed Senate 34/19; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 21 Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, Inc.; revise operations

Passed House 52/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 22 Hemp Farming; relating to offenses against public health and morals; the purchase of, sale of, and the offering of samples of hemp products by or to any individual under the age of 18 years old; prohibit

Passed Senate 28/27; Did not advance to House vote

SB 23 O.C.G.A.; various titles; revise a committee name; relating to inactive boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies; provisions; repeal

Passed Senate 48/1; Passed House 156/7

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 26 State Government; to permit meetings and public hearings of development authorities and community improvement districts to be held by teleconference

Passed Senate 52/0; Passed House 155/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 27 Unfair Trade Practices; health care insurer from requiring an ophthalmologist or optometrist to extend any discounts on services that are not covered eye care services; prohibit (Significantly to prohibit a health care insurer from requiring an ophthalmologist or optometrist to extend any discounts on services that are not covered eye care services in order to receive increased payments, better reimbursements, preferential treatment, or any other benefit

Passed Senate 51/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 31 To provide for the reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Attorney General in prosecuting a criminal case or cases due to the failure of a district attorney to prosecute such criminal case or cases

Passed Senate 35/20; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 32 “Alyssa’s Law” to require local education agencies to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting disparate emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple state and local first responder agencies in the event of a school security emergency

Passed Senate 42/10; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 35 Special License Plates; specialty license plate honoring Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc;

Passed House 137/14; Passed Senate 47/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

SB 36 To increase the penalty provisions relating to pimping and pandering

Passed Senate 33/16; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 37 Sheriffs; qualification requirements for the office of sheriff; revise (Significantly: to revise qualification requirements for the office of sheriff; to require certification as a peace officer at the time of qualifying as a candidate for sheriff; to require such candidate to be in good standing with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; to provide for a confirming affidavit

Passed Senate 45/5; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 46 Control of Sexually Transmitted Disease; To require physicians and healthcare providers to test all pregnant women for HIV and syphilis at the first prenatal visit, at 28–32 weeks’ gestation, and at delivery

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 169/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 50 Education; To provide that local boards of education which operate a school with grades nine through 12 may provide instruction in lifeguarding and aquatic safety; to provide for Carnegie unit curriculum credits

Passed Senate 54/1; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 57 Georgia Sports Betting Integrity Act’; regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; authorize and provide. Significantly: to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for the Georgia Lottery Corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting;

Failed Senate Vote 19/37 and did not advance to House

Hatchett N

SB 59 Governor; Office of the Inspector General; establish (a) There is created the Office of the Inspector General, for which purpose shall be to 37 investigate the management and operation of agencies

Author Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 171/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Signed by Governor 3/29

SB 63 Bonds and Recognizances; to provide for setting of bonds and schedules of bails

Passed Senate 31/23; Failed House 76/100

Hatchett Y; Erwin N

SB 64 Birth Certificate; issuance of a copy of the original birth certificate to certain adult persons who were adopted; provide

Passed Senate 54/0; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 65 Commissioner of Insurance; general provisions; establishing an advisory committee; provisions; authorize to authorize the Commissioner of Insurance to take certain actions, including but not limited to promulgating rules, applying for federal moneys, and establishing an advisory committee, to create, implement, or operate a state, federal, or partnership exchange or marketplace

Passed House 32/19; Passed Senate 136/33

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 67 ‘Second Amendment Preservation Act’; to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to provide for protections against the infringements on the right to keep and bear arms

Passed Senate 31/21; Senate then Withdrew & Recommitted, did not advance to House

Hatchett Y

SB 68 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations; relating to definitions regarding racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations, so as to include the offense of dogfighting as racketeering activity

Passed Senate 47/7; Passed House 163/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 73 Telephone Services; to provide for class action suits and for damages against certain persons for violating provisions relating to telephone solicitations; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for actions and damages against persons and entities on whose behalf such provisions were violated

Passed House 162/7; Passed Senate 53/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

SB 74 Commerce and Trade, Courts, and Torts; to require the disclosure of the nature and practices of businesses that provide legal services; to prohibit misrepresentations in advertising; to prohibit false advertising related to legal services; to prohibit persons ineligible to provide legal services from holding themselves out as attorneys; to provide liability for the misrepresentation of the practice of law

Passed House 158/5; Passed Senate 44/12

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 76 State Employees’ Health Insurance Plan; relating to the state employees’ health insurance plan and post-employment health benefit fund, so as to provide for state health benefit plans to cover insulin medication at a reduced rate

Passed Senate 42/2; Did not advance to House Vote

Hatchett Y

SB 83 Stalking; eligibility for restraining orders; to revise the eligibility for restraining orders

Passed House 51/3; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 90 Selling and Other Trade Practices; so as to provide for commercial financing disclosures; to require certain persons who provide commercial financing transactions to make certain disclosures

Passed House 163/9; Passed Senate 41/5

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 91 Workers’ Compensation; to extend the time period for the dissolution of the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund

Senate Passed 54/1; Passed House 164/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 92 Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission; create (Note, Bill text does not refer to an “Oversight Commission), but does state: created the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, which shall have the power to discipline, remove, and cause involuntary retirement of appointed or elected district attorneys or solicitors-general. As used in this Code section, the term ‘commission’ means the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission.

Passed Senate 32/24; House Passed 97/77

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 95 Solid Waste Trust Fund; relating to state grants authorized relative to general provisions of solid waste management, so as to specify the manner in which funds appropriated to the Solid Waste Trust Fund shall be used

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 164/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 97 ‘Georgia Cyber Command Act’; to create the Georgia Cyber Command Division under the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

Passed Senate 52/2; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett N

SB 103 Unclaimed Property; relating to disposition of unclaimed property, so as to provide for the handling of certain wills

Passed House 148/3; Passed Senate 43/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 106 “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act”; enact The Department of Public Health shall conduct a pilot program to provide home visiting in at-risk and underserved rural communities during pregnancy and early childhood to improve birth outcomes, reduce preterm deliveries, and decrease infant and maternal mortality.

Passed House 168/1; Passed Senate 53/1

Erwin Y/ Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 107 “Izzy’s Law”; Depart. of Public Health shall develop and make available for download from its internet website a model aquatic safety plan based on national standards for private swim instructors

Passed House 169/0; Passed Senate 51/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 109 Department of Community Health; to require the Department of Community Health to include continuous glucose monitors as a pharmacy benefit for Medicaid recipients

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 170/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 110 ‘Back the Blue Act’; enact

Senate Passed 52/0; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 112 “Workforce EXCELeration Act”; relating to vocational, technical, and adult education, so as to provide for a pilot program whereby qualifying private nonprofit entities provide instruction and other services for eligible students 21 years of age and older to attain a high school diploma

Passed Senate 48/4; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 115 Georgia National Guard; to provide for the adjutant general to be the official sponsor of the state sponsored life insurance program for the Georgia National Guard

Passed House 93/75; Passed Senate 50/4

Erwin N; Hatchett Y

Sent to Senate 4/5

SB 120 Motor Carriers; relating to safe operations of motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles, and drivers and safe transportation of hazardous materials, so as to update the reference date to federal regulations regarding the safe operation of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicle

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 121 Counties and Municipal Corporations; local governments from denying the drilling, servicing, or repair of new or existing water wells on single-family residential and farm properties; prohibit so as to prohibit local governments from denying the drilling, servicing, or repair of new or existing water wells on single-family residential and farm properties; to prohibit local governments from precluding or denying the installation of new water wells on single-family residential and farm properties situated on one acre of property or more

Passed House 171/0; Passes Senate 52/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 125 Landlord and Tenant; Code Section 44-7-19; regarding landlord and tenant in general, so as to repeal Code Section 44-7-19, relating to restrictions on rent regulation by local governments

Failed Senate 23/33; did not advance to House

Hatchett N

SB 128 Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund; to raise the limit for the total percentage of funds that the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund may invest in alternative investments

Passed Senate 49/3; Passed House 166/3

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 131 Permanent Guardianship; so as to provide for service by publication

Passed House 165/5; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 132 Agriculture; so as to prohibit the acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain nonresident aliens

Passed Senate 34/20; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

SB 134 Evidence; so as to provide that a child witness be deemed competent to testify without taking the oath; to allow the use of narrative form medical reports in dependency and termination matters

Senate Passed 56/0; House Passed 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 135 Paternity; Uniform Parentage Act of 2017; relating to determination of paternity, so as to align evidentiary medical and genetic testing with the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 171/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 136 Impact Fees; relating to calculation of development impact fees, so as to modify the required revenue source for a development project involving workforce housing

Passed Senate 49/4; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 137 Tuition Equalization Grants at Private Colleges and Universities; definition of approved school; revise

Passed Senate 43/12; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchet Y

SB 138 Office of Sheriff; relating to how vacancies filled, failure to appoint, and certification required and public official investigated by special commission upon indictment, gubernatorial review if commission recommends suspension, suspension, reinstatement, and replacement or temporary officer, respectively, so as to revise the procedure for filling vacancies in the office of sheriff

Passed Senate 55/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 144 Adjutant General; to remove the requirement that the adjutant general include a roster of all commissioned officers in the organized militia in the annual report to the Governor

Passed Senate 55/1; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 148 Nonprofit Corporations; to amend Code Section 8-2-42 of the O.C.G.A., relating to bribery of property or association managers regarding claims for damages arising out of construction defects prohibited and procedure for bringing action to remedy construction defects, to amend Code Section 14-5-40 of the O.C.G.A.,

Passed Senate 55/1; Passed House 1163/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 155 Provisions relating to harming a law enforcement animal; elating to general provisions relative to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to revise provisions relating to harming a law enforcement animal; to provide for the offenses of interfering with or harming a public safety animal or search and rescue animal

Passed House 168/0; Passed Senate 43/12

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 157 Professions and Businesses; to create a preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make an application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions

Passed Senate 55/0; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 168 Hospitals and Nursing Homes; relating to liens of hospitals and nursing homes, so as to allow a chiropractic practice to have a lien on a cause of action accruing to an injured person for the costs of care and treatment of injuries arising out of the cause of action

Passed Senate 52/4; Passed House 170/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 169 Public Schools; to require local school systems to provide appropriate grade-level instructional materials to any student subject to in-school suspension, short-term suspension, or long-term suspension pending completion of the student discipline tribunal

Passed Senate 53/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 170 “Students and Teachers SPEAK Act”; relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the qualification and selection of students to advise the State Board of Education and local boards of education; to provide for the Georgia Teacher of the Year to be invited to advise the State Board of Education

Passed Senate 50/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 177 To enact the “Food Insecurity Eradication Act”

Passed Senate 52/1; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 181 Georgia Technology Authority; to require such authority to conduct certain fingerprint criminal background checks of all current and prospective employees, contractors, and subcontractors with access to state or federal filed tax documents; to provide for legislative findings

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 174/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 196 Safety Belts; to provide for the failure to wear a safety belt or safety restraints for children as admissible evidence in civil actions; to provide for legislative declaration and intent; to prohibit the failure to wear a safety belt or safety restraints for children as a basis for cancellation of insurance coverage

Failed Senate vote 24/30; did not advance to House

Hatchett N

SB 199 State’s Employee Benefit Plan Council, relating to the state’s Employee Benefit Plan Council, so as to require such council to establish health savings accounts and to continually provide for education or salary reductions for such accounts

Passed house 164/1; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 203 “Trucking Opportunity Act of 2023”; to provide for tuition-free programs that relate to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle for veterans.

Passed Senate 54/1; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 204 Education Accountability; recognition of certain accrediting agencies as evaluators of the quality of education offered in public schools in this state; provide

Passed House 161/10; Passed Senate 48/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 211 Georgia Council on Literacy; establish

Passed House 175/0; Passed Senate 55/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 215 Public Records; relating to inspection of public records, so as to protect from public disclosure certain personal information of public employees; to require local governments to remove upon request certain personally identifiable information of public employees from certain property records

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 53/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 218 Identification Cards; to provide for the issuance of identification cards to persons completing a term of incarceration

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 44/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 220 ‘Georgia Farmland Conservation Act’; to establish the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund, Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program, and Georgia Farmland Advisory Council; to provide matching grants to certain holders or prospective holders of agricultural conservation easements

Passed House 165/0; Passed Senate 50/2

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 222 Primaries and Elections; to provide that all costs and expenses relating to election administration are paid for with lawfully appropriate public funds

Passed House 100/69; Passed Senate 32/21

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 230 Programs and Protection for Children; so as to revise provisions relating to the foster parents bill of rights; to provide for definitions; to provide that such rights include relative caregivers and fictive kin

Passed Senate 54/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 233 The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act’; amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to provide for the establishment of promise scholarship accounts to be funded by the state in the amount of $6,000.00 per school year for each participating student

Passed Senate 33/23; Passed House 98/73

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 237 Georgia Student Finance Authority; to provide for student loan repayment for peace officers

Author: Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed Senate 54/1; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 240 Retirement and Pensions; to revise the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees; to require certain social security coverage for all employees of a political subdivision who are members of the Public School Employees Retirement System; to prohibit the approval of certain plans

Passed Housed 165/1; Passed Senate 47/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

SB 246 Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce; student loan repayment for certain nursing faculty; provide

Passed Senate 53/1; Passed House 157/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 254 Selling and other Trade Practices; to provide requirements for earned wage access services

Passed Senate 30/24; Did not advanced to House Vote

Hatchett Y

SB 266 Retirement and Pensions; relating to retirement and pensions, so as to provide for a fiduciary duty to invest retirement assets solely in the financial interests of participants and their beneficiaries;

Passed Senate 54/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 272 Courts; supplement the duties of administrative judges; , relating to courts, is amended so as to supplement the duties of administrative judges; to reestablish the Criminal Case Data Exchange Board

Passed House 146/21; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin N; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

The rest of the 331 Senate Bills introduced this session never made it out of committee, or did not make it to a vote on the Senate floor.

429 Senate Resolutions were considered this session. Senate resolutions do not result in laws or binding regulations. Instead, they are typically used to express the collective sentiment of the Senate on a particular issue, person, or event, to recommend the creation of committees or specific studies or research, or to handle procedural elements of the Senate, such as a Resolution to notify the House of Representatives that the Senate has convened

KEY: Bill Number in Red – Legislation specifically regarding Stephens County or adjacent Counties

KEY: Bill Title in Red – General legislation may have impact on or interest to Currahee Dispatch readers.

Author: Sen Bo Hatchett

Passed Senate 51/2; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 3 “Reducing Barriers to State Employment Act of 2023″; enact (significantly: to require efforts to reduce the number of positions for which a four-year college degree is required; )

Passed Senate 49/1; Passed House 168/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed Senate 34/14; Passed House 152/14

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 20 “Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act”; ensure consumer access to quality healthcare by setting adequacy standards for network plans offered by an insurer

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 166/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed Senate 51/1; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 44 Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act; to provide for mandatory minimum penalties for violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Authored by Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed House 99/74; Passed Senate 30/20

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 45 Education; relating to health of students in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the care of students being treated for epilepsy or a seizure disorder

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 139/30; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Excused

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 168/1; Passed Senate 49/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 47 Offenses Against Public Health And Morals; to provide that vaping in restricted areas is a misdemeanor punishable by fine

Passed Senate 51/3; Passed House 152/14

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 54/1; Passed House 172/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 99/76; Passed Senate 36/20

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Author Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed House 162/4; Passed Senate 48/1

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 84 “Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008”; to provide for financial protections for elder and disabled adults who may be victims of financial exploitation

Passed Senate 51/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 167/0; Passed Senate 45/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Not Voting

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 174/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 42/13; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 50/2; Passed House 161/4

Sent to Governor 4

Passed Senate 52/2; Passed House 170/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 129 Primaries and Elections; so as to provide for time off for employees to advance vote; to provide for related matters

Passed House 161/9; Passed Senate 46/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 133 Juvenile Code; a uniform process to assume custody of children as a result of disposition orders; create

Passed House 102/69; Passed Senate 48/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 97/74; Passed Senate 31/21

Erwin Y; Hatchett &

Signed by Governor 3/23

Passed Senate 37/16; Passed House 103/67

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed House 175/1; Passed Senate 51/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 160/1; Passed Senate 47/2

Erwin Y; Erwin Excused

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 166/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Not Voting

Passed Senate 34/20; Passed House 103/72

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed Senate 34/21; Passed House 97/68

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 47/1

Erwin Not Voting; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 45/10; Passed House 169/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 51/4; Passed House 110/59

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 223 Health; relating to general provisions regarding health, so as to authorize reimbursement of patient incurred expenses related to participation in a cancer clinical trial

Passed Senate 53/1; Passed House 170/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 4 “Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act”; enact

Passed Senate 55/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 49/3; Passed House 165/0

Hatchett Excused; Erwin Y

Passed Senate 44/8; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 34/19; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 21 Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, Inc.; revise operations

Passed House 52/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 28/27; Did not advance to House vote

Passed Senate 48/1; Passed House 156/7

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 26 State Government; to permit meetings and public hearings of development authorities and community improvement districts to be held by teleconference

Passed Senate 52/0; Passed House 155/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed Senate 51/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 35/20; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 42/10; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 35 Special License Plates; specialty license plate honoring Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc;

Passed House 137/14; Passed Senate 47/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

SB 36 To increase the penalty provisions relating to pimping and pandering

Passed Senate 33/16; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 45/5; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 169/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 54/1; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Failed Senate Vote 19/37 and did not advance to House

Hatchett N

Author Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 171/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Signed by Governor 3/29

SB 63 Bonds and Recognizances; to provide for setting of bonds and schedules of bails

Passed Senate 31/23; Failed House 76/100

Hatchett Y; Erwin N

SB 64 Birth Certificate; issuance of a copy of the original birth certificate to certain adult persons who were adopted; provide

Passed Senate 54/0; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed House 32/19; Passed Senate 136/33

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 67 ‘Second Amendment Preservation Act’; to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to provide for protections against the infringements on the right to keep and bear arms

Passed Senate 31/21; Senate then Withdrew & Recommitted, did not advance to House

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 47/7; Passed House 163/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 162/7; Passed Senate 53/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Passed House 158/5; Passed Senate 44/12

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 42/2; Did not advance to House Vote

Hatchett Y

SB 83 Stalking; eligibility for restraining orders; to revise the eligibility for restraining orders

Passed House 51/3; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 90 Selling and Other Trade Practices; so as to provide for commercial financing disclosures; to require certain persons who provide commercial financing transactions to make certain disclosures

Passed House 163/9; Passed Senate 41/5

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 91 Workers’ Compensation; to extend the time period for the dissolution of the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund

Senate Passed 54/1; Passed House 164/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 32/24; House Passed 97/77

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 164/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 97 ‘Georgia Cyber Command Act’; to create the Georgia Cyber Command Division under the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

Passed Senate 52/2; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett N

SB 103 Unclaimed Property; relating to disposition of unclaimed property, so as to provide for the handling of certain wills

Passed House 148/3; Passed Senate 43/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 168/1; Passed Senate 53/1

Erwin Y/ Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 169/0; Passed Senate 51/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 109 Department of Community Health; to require the Department of Community Health to include continuous glucose monitors as a pharmacy benefit for Medicaid recipients

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 170/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 110 ‘Back the Blue Act’; enact

Senate Passed 52/0; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 48/4; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 115 Georgia National Guard; to provide for the adjutant general to be the official sponsor of the state sponsored life insurance program for the Georgia National Guard

Passed House 93/75; Passed Senate 50/4

Erwin N; Hatchett Y

Sent to Senate 4/5

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 171/0; Passes Senate 52/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 125 Landlord and Tenant; Code Section 44-7-19; regarding landlord and tenant in general, so as to repeal Code Section 44-7-19, relating to restrictions on rent regulation by local governments

Failed Senate 23/33; did not advance to House

Hatchett N

SB 128 Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund; to raise the limit for the total percentage of funds that the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund may invest in alternative investments

Passed Senate 49/3; Passed House 166/3

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 131 Permanent Guardianship; so as to provide for service by publication

Passed House 165/5; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 132 Agriculture; so as to prohibit the acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain nonresident aliens

Passed Senate 34/20; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

SB 134 Evidence; so as to provide that a child witness be deemed competent to testify without taking the oath; to allow the use of narrative form medical reports in dependency and termination matters

Senate Passed 56/0; House Passed 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 135 Paternity; Uniform Parentage Act of 2017; relating to determination of paternity, so as to align evidentiary medical and genetic testing with the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017

Passed Senate 56/0; Passed House 171/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 136 Impact Fees; relating to calculation of development impact fees, so as to modify the required revenue source for a development project involving workforce housing

Passed Senate 49/4; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

SB 137 Tuition Equalization Grants at Private Colleges and Universities; definition of approved school; revise

Passed Senate 43/12; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchet Y

Passed Senate 55/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 144 Adjutant General; to remove the requirement that the adjutant general include a roster of all commissioned officers in the organized militia in the annual report to the Governor

Passed Senate 55/1; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 55/1; Passed House 1163/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Passed House 168/0; Passed Senate 43/12

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 55/0; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 52/4; Passed House 170/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 53/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 50/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 177 To enact the “Food Insecurity Eradication Act”

Passed Senate 52/1; House Withdrawn, Recommitted

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 174/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Failed Senate vote 24/30; did not advance to House

Hatchett N

Passed house 164/1; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 203 “Trucking Opportunity Act of 2023”; to provide for tuition-free programs that relate to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle for veterans.

Passed Senate 54/1; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

SB 204 Education Accountability; recognition of certain accrediting agencies as evaluators of the quality of education offered in public schools in this state; provide

Passed House 161/10; Passed Senate 48/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 211 Georgia Council on Literacy; establish

Passed House 175/0; Passed Senate 55/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 53/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 218 Identification Cards; to provide for the issuance of identification cards to persons completing a term of incarceration

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 44/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed House 165/0; Passed Senate 50/2

Erwin Excused; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 222 Primaries and Elections; to provide that all costs and expenses relating to election administration are paid for with lawfully appropriate public funds

Passed House 100/69; Passed Senate 32/21

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

Passed Senate 54/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 33/23; Passed House 98/73

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

SB 237 Georgia Student Finance Authority; to provide for student loan repayment for peace officers

Author: Sen. Bo Hatchett

Passed Senate 54/1; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Housed 165/1; Passed Senate 47/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

SB 246 Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce; student loan repayment for certain nursing faculty; provide

Passed Senate 53/1; Passed House 157/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

SB 254 Selling and other Trade Practices; to provide requirements for earned wage access services

Passed Senate 30/24; Did not advanced to House Vote

Hatchett Y

Passed Senate 54/0; Did not advance to House vote

Hatchett Y

Passed House 146/21; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin N; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

The rest of the 331 Senate Bills introduced this session never made it out of committee, or did not make it to a vote on the Senate floor.

850 HOUSE BILLS INTRODUCED

Erwin/Hatchett votes listed after each Bill

KEY: Bill Number in Red – Legislation specifically regarding Stephens County or adjacent Counties

KEY: Bill Title in Red – General legislation may have impact on or interest to Currahee Dispatch readers.

Note: I have included vote information on bills that were voted on in one chamber, but did not advance to a vote in the other chamber, for the reason that knowing our local legislator’s vote on a subject can be helpful for citizens/voters, regardless of whether the bill ended up being enacted or not.

HB 599 Martin, Town of; A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the Town of Martin as amended, so as to change the number of city council members

Author Rep. Chris Erwin

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 28 Alto, to provide anti-nepotism requirements for future mayors and counci lmembers; to clarify the role of the mayor pro tempore; to increase the maximum fine the municipal court may impose for ordinance violations; to provide that the municipal court may not impose fines on statutory misdemeanor or traffic offenses in excess of maximum penalties provided for in general law.

Co-Authored by Representative Chris Erwin

Passed House 159/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor on 3/30

HB 57 Tallulah Falls, Town of; authorize the governing authority of the Town of Tallulah Falls to levy an excise tax (at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for the furnishing for value to the public of any room 10 or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any person or legal entity licensed by, 11 or required to pay business or occupation taxes to, the municipality for operating a hotel, 12 motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campground, or any other place in which 13 rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly or periodically furnished for value.)

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 29 Cornelia, City of; A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the City of Cornelia, Georgia, to exercise all redevelopment and other powers provided for under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII(b) of the Georgia Constitution and Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the “Redevelopment Powers Law,” as amended

Co-Authored by Representative Chris Erwin

Passed House 159/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 587 Rabun County; providing for the election of the members of the Board of Education of Rabun County by the qualified electors of the Rabun County School District, so as to change the description of the education districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions

Passed House 157/0; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 715 Franklin County; Board of Education; as amended, so as to provide for the compensation of the board

Passed House 165/2; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 743 Hart County; Board of Education; to reconstitute the Board of Education of Hart County so as to change the description of the education districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members

Passed House 162/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 744 Hart County; Board of Commissioners; to create the Board of Commissioners of Hart County, so as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members

Passed House 162/0; Passed Senate 52

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 782 Dillard, City of; amend an Act to reincorporate the City of Dillard in the County of Rabun, so as to eliminate one council post in the city

Passed House 162/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 58 Sky Valley, City of; levy an excise tax (at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for the furnishing for value to the public of any room 10 or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any person or legal entity licensed by, 11 or required to pay business or occupation taxes to, the municipality for operating a hotel, 12 motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campground, or any other place in which 13 rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly or periodically furnished for value.)

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 60 Clayton, City of; levy an excise tax (at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for the furnishing for value to the public of any room 10 or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any person or legal entity licensed by, 11 or required to pay business or occupation taxes to, the municipality for operating a hotel, 12 motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campground, or any other place in which 13 rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly or periodically furnished for value.)

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 61 Dillard, City of; levy an excise tax (at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for the furnishing for value to the public of any room 10 or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any person or legal entity licensed by, 11 or required to pay business or occupation taxes to, the municipality for operating a hotel, 12 motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campground, or any other place in which 13 rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly or periodically furnished for value.)

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 59 Rabun County; levy an excise tax (at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for the furnishing for value to the public of any room 10 or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any person or legal entity licensed by, 11 or required to pay business or occupation taxes to, the municipality for operating a hotel, 12 motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campground, or any other place in which 13 rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly or periodically furnished for value.)

Passed House 166/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 607 Education; relating to HOPE scholarships and grants, so as to revise the definition of “Zell Miller Scholarship Scholar” by changing the ACT score requirement for certain students

Passed House 174/1; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 18 Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

Passed House 174/0; Passed Senate 56/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 19 General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Passed Senate 54/1; Passed House 170/3

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 129 Public assistance; expand temporary assistance for needy families eligibility criteria to pregnant women

Passed House 173/1; Passed Senate 50/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 132 Buildings and housing; amend Georgia state minimum standard codes to authorize certain uses of ungraded lumber; require (On or after July 1, 2024, the department shall amend the Georgia state minimum standard codes to include provisions authorizing the use of ungraded lumber in the construction or repair of any accessory structure not containing habitable space on property zoned or primarily used for residential or agricultural purposes.”)

Passed House 173/0; Passed Senate 46/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 147 Safe Schools Act; relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for a school safety and anti-gang endorsement for eligible certificated professional personnel issued by the Professional Standards Commission; to require school safety plans to be submitted to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency; to require intruder alert drills in all public schools in this state; to require public schools to report completion of such drills to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency; to provide for parents and guardians to opt their children out of such drills.

Passed House 148/20; Passed Senate 52/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 155 Professions and businesses; Relating to general provisions of professions and businesses, so as to provide for the issuance of licenses by endorsement for certain licenses to spouses of firefighters, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers who relocate to the State of Georgia; to establish qualifications for such license by endorsement;

Passed House 168/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 162 Income tax; so as to provide for a one-time tax credit for individual taxpayers who filed income tax returns for both the 2021 and 2022 taxable years;

Passed House 170/2; Passed Senate 46/7

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Signed by Governor 3/14

HB 193 Local government; relating to public works contracting and bidding requirements, so as to increase the dollar values of certain public works construction contracts exempt from bidding requirements

Passed House 157/10; Passed Senate 40/12

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 206 Local government; so as to provide for the creation of Commercial Property Assessed Conservation, Energy, and Resiliency Development Authorities in certain counties and municipalities;

Passed House 134/38; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin: Y

HB 249 Education; relating to the needs based financial aid program, subject to appropriations by the General Assembly for such purposes, the training programs under this article entered into on or before June 30, 2025, by a qualified participant that relate to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be tuition free. For purposes of this Code section, a qualified participant shall be a veteran of the United States armed forces who was honorably discharged

Passed Senate 51/1; Passed House 168/0

HB 221 Insurance; relating to maintenance and filing rates, rating plans, rating systems, or underwriting rules and examination of claim reserve practices by the Commissioner, so as to revise the filing review process for private passenger motor vehicle liability coverage providing the minimum limits offered by the carrier

Passed House 169/2; Passed Senate 49/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 268 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; to provide for the establishment of a grant program to support local law enforcement agencies and multi-jurisdiction task forces relative to motor vehicle related crime prevention initiatives; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Advisory Board;

Passed Senate 45/5; Passed House 158/5

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 408 Sales and use tax; relating to exemptions from sales and use tax, so as to change the sunset provision for the exemption for competitive projects of regional significance

Passed House 169/2; Passed Senate 34/6

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 514 Housing Regulation Transparency Act; relating to zoning procedures, so as to provide for the length and renewal of moratoriums related to zoning decisions; to provide for legislative findings; to provide procedures for the levy, collection, use, and waiver of fees related to zoning decisions and related permits; to revise notice and hearing requirements for certain zoning decisions

Passed House 127/43; Passed Senate 42/12

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 538 Georgia Early Literacy Act; relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the “Georgia Early Literacy Act”; to require the State Board of Education to approve high-quality instructional materials to be used for teaching students in kindergarten through third grade

Passed Senate 48/1; Passed House 164/0

Hatchett Excused; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 541 Motor vehicles; Relating to general provisions relative to uniform rules of the road, so as to provide for proper procedure for passing a postal service vehicle The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle that is utilizing traffic cones, displaying flashing hazard lights, or displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows: (1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic 31 conditions; or (2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop. Passed Senate 47/0; Passed House 168//0

Hatchett Excused; Erwin Not Voting

HB 543 Courts; relating to demand of jury panels from which to select jury in civil actions in the state courts and the superior courts, so as to revise an exception to six-person jury trials in civil actions

Passed House 161/2; Passed Senate 51/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 30 State government; definition of antisemitism; provide

Passed House 136/22; Did not advance to vote in Senate

Erwin Y

HB 31 Conservation and natural resources; Hazardous Waste Trust Fund; dedicate proceeds of certain hazardous waste fees

Passed House 172/0; Passed Senate 49/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 35 Georgia Ports Authority; provide for powers; expand arrest authority of officers

Passed Senate 54/0; Passed House 172/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 36 Ad valorem tax; language required to be included in notices of current assessment; reviserty;

Passed House 170/0; Did not advance to vote in Senate

Erwin Y

HB 43 Council on American Indian Concerns; revise membership

House Passed 164/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 51 Education; local boards of education use vehicles other than school buses for transport of students; authorize

Passed House 164/0; Senate tabled

Erwin Y

HB 52 Transportation, Department of; amend notice provisions relative to meetings for election of board members; provisions (NOTE: There are many parts of this legislation that are not addressed in the title. The Full summary is as follows: Relating to highways, bridges, and ferries, so as to amend notice provisions relative to meetings for the election of board members; to provide for negotiations in request for proposals relative to public-private partnerships (P3s); to amend Code Section 45-16-23 of the O.C.G.A., relating to delegation of power by coroner or county medical examiner and qualifications of those authorized to perform examinations, to amend Code Section 50-18-72 of the O.C.G.A., relating to when public disclosure not required by a state agency, so as to exempt certain records from public disclosure requirements

Passed Senate 53/1; Passed House 164/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Excused

HB 55 Banking and finance; provide for definitions; provisions

Passed House 164/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 63 Insurance; insurers providing policies for groups of 20 or more to furnish claims experience at the request of a group policyholder; require.

Passed House 166/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 73 Public utilities; written disclosure statement with any agreement for sale or financing of distributed energy generation systems; provisions

Passed House 125/44; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 76 Professions and businesses; education, experience, and training requirements for licensure in marriage and family therapy; revise provisions

Passed House 48/1; Passed Senate 128/31

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 80 Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act; enact relating to general provisions regarding proof generally, so as to enact the “Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act”; to provide for unsworn declarations to have the same effect as sworn declarations in certain circumstances; to provide for exceptions

Passed Senate 42/2; Passed House 175/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 81 Education; eligibility criteria for certain capital outlay grants for low-wealth school systems; revise

Passed House 168/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 82 Income tax; limit eligibility for rural physician tax credit to physicians who qualify on or before December 31, 2023

Passed House 175/1; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 84 Commerce and trade; provide for commercial financing disclosures

Passed House 101/68; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 85 Insurance; require health benefit policy coverage for biomarker testing if supported by medical and scientific evidence.

Passed House 172/2; Passed Senate 47/5

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 86 Sales and use tax; sales of tangible personal property used for or in the renovation or expansion of certain aquariums; exempt

Passed Senate 52/2; Passed House 156/10

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 87 Nontraditional Special Schools Act; enact relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to revise and repeal certain provisions for alternative charter schools; to provide for the continued operation of state chartered special schools until no later than the expiration of each such school’s current charter with the State Board of Education.

Passed Senate 53/0; Passed House 175/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 88 Coleman-Baker Act; relating to criminal procedure, to provide for review of cold case murder files by law enforcement agencies.

Passed Senate 55/0; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

B 91 Wills, trusts and administration of estates; notices to beneficiaries regarding issuance of letters testamentary; require

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 95 Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law

Passed House vote 172/0; Passed Senate 48/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 101 Income tax; change certain definitions (multiple changes on varying topics)

Passed House 102/73; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 119 Uniform rules of the road; relating to general provisions relative to uniform rules of the road, so as to provide for procedure for passing stationary vehicles

Passed House 167/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 120 Motor vehicles; relating to limited driving permits for certain offenders, so as to provide for standards for issuance of such permits

Passed Senate 48/0; Passed House 171/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 121 Waters, ports and watercraft; wakesurfing and wakeboarding; provide restrictions and requirements (Also: to provide for the operation of multipurpose off-highway vehicles on certain highways)

Passed Senate 51/2; Passed House 165/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 122 Georgia Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE); relating to the higher education savings plan and Georgia Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE)

Passed House 167/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 126 Appeal and error relating to appellate practice, so as to change a provision relating to judgments deemed directly appealable

Passed House 172/1; Passed Senate 46/7

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 128 Revenue and taxation; representation of minority business enterprises, women and veteran owned businesses in procurement of state contracts; provide (so as to provide for representation of minority business enterprises, women owned businesses, and veteran owned businesses in the area of procurement of state contracts for construction, services, equipment, and goods)

Passed House 160/3; Passed Senate 44/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 130 Georgia Student Finance Authority; student loan repayment for peace officers; provide

Passed House 172/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 138 Revenue and taxation; update population bracket and census data for a certain property tax exemption for certain leased property

Passed House 170/1; Passed Senate 48/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 139 Criminal procedure; restrictions of disclosure of personal information of nonsworn employees; provisions (so as to provide for restrictions of the disclosure of certain personally identifiable information of nonsworn employees of a law enforcement agency who are witnesses in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases)

Passed House 174/0; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 142 Education; establishment of unified campus police forces through agreements by colleges and universities; provide

Passed Senate 49/0; Passed House 145/12

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 143 Community Health, Department of; include continuous glucose monitors as a pharmacy benefit for Medicaid recipients; require

Passed House 167/1; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 144 George L. Burgess Act; relating to decisions on ward’s well-being, obligations of guardian, and liability of guardian, to provide for the ward’s right to communicate;

Passed House 167/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 163 Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce; student loan repayment for medical examiners employed by the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; provide

Passed Senate 52/0; Passed House 168/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 165 State government; relating to when public disclosure not required relative to inspection of public records, so as to include certain documents from the Department of Natural Resources; Records from the Department of Natural Resources that contain information relating to the location or character of a historic resource, if the Department of Natural Resources determines that disclosure may create a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction to such historic resource, or any property, real or personal, at or near the location of the historic resource;”

Passed House 169/1; Passed Senate 49/5

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 166 Courts; provide for qualification of constables

Passed House 165/2; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 167 Motor vehicles and traffic; relating to limited driving permits for certain offenders, so as to provide for standards for issuance of such permits

Passed House 168/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 170 Sales and use tax; taxation of certain digital products and services; provide

(There is levied and imposed a tax on the retail purchase or retail sale of specified digital products, other digital goods, or digital codes sold to an end user in this state, provided that such end user receives or will receive the right of permanent use of such products, goods, or codes and the transaction is not conditioned upon continued payment by the end user.

Passed House 162/10; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 174 Motor vehicles; federal regulations regarding safe operation of commercial motor vehicle and carriers; update reference date

Passed Senate 51/0; Passed House 164/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 176 Courts; relating to general provisions regarding court reporters, so as to increase the amount of court reporters’ monthly contingent expense and travel allowance;

Passed House 172/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 181 Controlled Substances; relating to controlled substances, so as to provide that mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine are Schedule I controlled substances; to repeal provisions relating to the regulation of kratom

Passed House 171/3; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 182 Property;relating to recording of deeds and other real property transactions, so as to revise provisions for curing defective deeds and other instruments; to comport with the legislative correction recommended by the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Pingora Loan Servicing, LLC, v. Scarver (In Re: Lindstrom)

Passed Senate 52/2; Passed House 166/9

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 183 Motor vehicles; relating to vehicles with false or secret compartments and registration and licensing of motor vehicles, respectively, so as to revise terminology relating to temporary license plates and temporary operating permits; to provide standards for the issuance of temporary operating permits for motor vehicles failing to comply with vehicle emission standards upon vehicle registration renewal

Passed Senate 50/0; Passed House 156/4

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 185 Education; relating to HOPE scholarships and grants, so as to provide for HOPE Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) grants; to provide for definitions; to provide for student eligibility; to provide for funding; to provide for policies, procedures, rules, and regulations,

Passed House 165/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 186 Appeal and error; relating to appeal and error, so as to revise an exception applicable to the filing of petitions for review in reviewing courts from lower judicatories; to make conforming changes; to amend Code Section 36-32-2.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to removal of judges, so as to provide for a conforming change

Passed House 173/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 188 Georgia Dangerous Sexual Predator Prevention Act; relating to appellate practice, so as to revise the name of the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 172/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 189 Highways, bridges, and ferries; relating to dimensions and weight of vehicles and loads, so as to provide for an allowable variance for weight limitations upon a vehicle or load; to repeal certain exceptions which allow for excess weight for vehicles and loads

Passed House 95/75; Passed Senate 37/16

Erwin Y; Hatchet Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 196 Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission; relating to access to medical cannabis, so as to provide that the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission shall be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act and laws governing open meetings and open records;

Passed House 154/13; Passed Senate 53/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 203 Health; so as to revise provisions relating to restrictions on the sale and dispensing of contact lenses with respect to physicians

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 51/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 204 Georgia Municipal Court Clerks’ Council; relating to municipal courts, so as to create the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks’ Council; to provide for definitions

Passed house 168/2; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 207 Waters, ports, and watercraft; relating to general provisions relative to registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to provide for the carrying of night visual distress signals upon coastal waters of this state during certain hours; to provide for the carrying of such signals by vessels of a certain size

Passed House 170/0; Passed Senate 53/0

Erwin Y; Hatchet Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 215 Professions and businesses;relating to nurses, so as to provide for licensure of advanced practice registered nurses; to provide for a misdemeanor to practice advanced nursing practice without a license

Passed House 165/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 219 Banking and finance; relating to records and reports of currency transactions, to provide for venue for the offense of theft of money held in a financial institution; to provide for legislative findings

Passed House 172/1; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 220 Property; relating to property, so as to provide for means of enforcement of condominium and property owners’ association instruments, rules, and regulations; to provide for compliance with, and means of enforcement of, covenants and instruments for certain planned subdivision

Passed House 144/22; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 222 Insurance, Department of; relating to insurance, so as to clarify, streamline, and make transparent the practices of the department of insurance; to provide that property insurance does not include service contracts sold or offered for sale to persons other than consumers; to allow the Commissioner of Insurance to issue a probationary license for a period not longer than 24 months; to allow, at the Commissioner of Insurance’s discretion, an applicant whose application has been refused to reapply for a license after one year; to require specific language in public adjuster contracts

Passed House 167/0; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 227 Crimes and offenses; so as to provide for the offense of criminal interference with critical infrastructure; relating to composition of battalion, rank of battalion personnel, employment of recruits or cadets by commissioner, promulgation of rules and regulations as to enlistment and training of recruits or cadets, confinement in probation detention center, and notification of conviction

Passed Senate 52/1; Passed House 169/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 228 Education; relating to definitions regarding tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, so as to expand the definition of “approved school”

Passed House 168/7; Passed Senate 47/5

Erwin Y; Hatchett Excused

HB 230 Revenue and taxation; relating to sales and use taxes, so as to provide for a qualified consolidated government special purpose local option sales tax

Passed House 166/6; Passed Senate 44/8

Erwin Y; Hackett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 231 Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission; relating to general provisions regarding prosecuting attorneys, so as to create the Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission

Failed House 70/98; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin N

HB 237 State government; to designate the Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby as the official soap box derby of the State of Georgia; to provide for promotion of the Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby

Passed House 168/0; Senate Tabled

HB 242 Relating to the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission, so as to provide for an additional penalty for violation of traffic laws or ordinances under “Joshua’s Law

Passed House 161/9; Passed Senate 43/8

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 244 To extend the date by which rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of Natural Resources must be in effect for purposes of establishing criminal violations of said rules and regulations

Passed House 170/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 254 to amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to provide an additional manner of publishing certain legal notices by counties and municipalities

Passed House 166/1; Passed Senate 53/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 264 Revenue and taxation; relating to creation of county boards of equalization, duties, review of assessments, and appeals, so as to revise certain deadlines and procedures for the handling of appeals of property tax assessments

Passed House 173/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

HB 269 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; relating to meetings open to the public, limitation on action to contest agency action, recording, notice of time and place, access to minutes, and telecommunications conferences, so as to authorize local workforce development boards, formed pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Passed House 153/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 273 Board of Natural Resources; extend date by which rules and regulations must be in effect for purposes of establishing criminal violations

Passed Senate 53/0; Passed house 163/0

HB 279 Insurance; Relating to property insurance, so as to provide for an insurance premium discount or rate reduction for property owners who build a new residential or commercial property or who retrofit an existing residential or commercial property located in this state that better resists tornado, hurricane, or other catastrophic windstorm events; to provide for applicability

Passed House 172/1; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 280 Relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for additional value-added products or services that are excluded from being unfair trade practices and unlawful inducements in insurance

Passed House 172/2; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 283 Sales and use tax; Relating to general provisions applicable to sales and use tax, so as to change the manner and method of imposing and collecting such taxes on new manufactured single-family structures; to provide for an exemption for pre-owned manufactured single-family structures;

Passed House 174/1; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 285 Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia; the “Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law,” so as to raise the limit for the total percentage of funds that the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments;

Passed House 171/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 290 Revenue and taxation; relating to municipal taxation, so as to revise provisions concerning the duties of county tax commissioners with respect to the assessment and collection of municipal taxes and fees; to provide for terms and conditions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability;

Passed House 171/0; Senate Table

Erwin Y

HB 291 Guardian and ward; relating to guardian and ward, so as to add to the list of providers who are authorized to participate in the processes for appointment of a guardian for an adult

Passed House 165/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 294 Insurance; Relating to procedure for rehabilitation, so as to provide for the administration of contracts reinsuring life, disability income or long-term care policies or annuities issued by a ceding insurer that has been placed into liquidation

Passed Senate 49/0; Passed House 167/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 295 Insurance; relating to insurance, so as to revise certain procedures, timelines, and other matters concerning consumer protections against surprise billing; to provide grounds for new violations of unfair claims settlement practices; to provide for payments by insurers

Passed Senate 52/0; Passed House 166/0

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 298 Courts; to provide for an exemption or deferment from jury service for natural or adoptive mothers of children six months of age and younger

Passed House 163/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 299 Georgia Code; relating to appointment, compensation, authority, qualifications, training, and other limitations of associate probate court judges, crimes and offenses, domestic relations, education, military affairs, and registration and licensing of motor vehicles, respectively, so as to add appropriate references to the United States Space Force

Passed House 168/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 301 Motor vehicles and traffic; relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to revise the amount of civil monetary penalty for violations of improperly passing a school bus and speeding in a school zone when captured by cameras; to restrict other additional fines, fees, penalties, or charges

Passed House 163/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 302 Crimes and offenses;relating to restraining orders The court may grant a protective order on a temporary or permanent basis or approve consent agreement to bring about a cessation of conduct constituting stalking

Passed House 172/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 306 Education; to provide that energy cost saving contracts need not be subject to competitive bidding;

Passed House 170/1; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin N

HB 308 Revenue and taxation; to revise a tax credit for certain medical preceptor rotations; to add dentistry; to increase the value of the tax credit

Passed House 169/1; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 309 Health; relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to revise provisions relating to financial stability requirements for applicants and licensees of personal care homes and assisted living communities

Passed House 160/6; Passed Senate 48/2

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 311 Ad valorem tax; relating to general provisions regarding ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide for optional temporary tax relief to certain properties located in nationally declared federal disaster areas;

Passed House 164/0; Passed Senate 53/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Signed by Governor 3/16

HB 315 Commissioner of Insurance; relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to promulgate rules and regulations regarding cost-sharing requirements for diagnostic and supplemental breast screening examinations

Passed House 173/1; Passed Senate 48/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 317 Relating to the State Employees’ Assurance Department, so as to provide for the assignment of certain group term life insurance benefits to pay for funeral services of a deceased individual who was a member of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia, Georgia Legislative Retirement System, or Georgia Judicial Retirement System

Passed House 171/1; Passed Senate 47/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 318 Education; relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the reestablishment of the Office of Charter School Compliance under the State Charter Schools Commission Passed House 145/17; Passed Senate 50/3

HB 319 Education; relating to scholarships, loans, and grants, so as to abolish the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation; to provide for the transfer of outstanding obligations and liabilities and assets of such corporation

Passed Senate 53/0; Passed House 160/1

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 327 Crimes and offenses; incest; include step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationship

Passed House 166/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 332 Controlled substances; , relating to controlled substances, so as to provide for certain provisions relating to Schedule I controlled substances, Schedule IV controlled substances, and Schedule V controlled substances; to provide for certain provisions relating to the definition of dangerous drugs

Passed House 164/0; Passed Senate 54/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 336 Buildings and housing; prohibit Georgia state minimum standard codes from prohibiting use of certain refrigerants

Passed House 162/2; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 338 Student Technology Protection Act; amend to provide for the inclusion of methods for the promotion of the safe and appropriate use of technology and responsible digital citizenship in the comprehensive character education program

Author Rep. Chris Erwin

Passed House 163/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 340 Education; relating to conditions of employment in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for daily duty-free planning periods for teachers in grades six through 12

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 48/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 343 Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Patients Act; relating to regulation and licensure of pharmacy benefits managers, to require pharmacy benefits managers to calculate defined cost sharing for insureds at the point of sale

Passed House 168/3; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 348 Motor vehicles; relating to use of speed detection devices and red light cameras, so as to provide for standards for signs warning of the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices

Passed House 168/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 353 Georgia Lottery for Education Act; so as to provide that administrative procedures and actions regarding bona fide coin operated amusement machines shall be subject to Chapter 13 of Title 5

Passed House 127/46; Passed Senate 50/5

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 362 Insurance; relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for a benefit provider to disclose certain payments to a treating healthcare provider

Passed House 164/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 364 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Act; relating to the Claims Advisory Board, so as to create the Wrongful Conviction Compensation Review Panel

Passed House 157/17; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin N

HB 373 State holidays; relating to holidays and observances, so as to designate September 11 of each year as “First Responders Appreciation Day” in Georgia

Passed House 173/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 374 Local government; relating to municipal annexation of territory, so as to repeal certain provisions relating to authority, procedures, identification, and status of lands relative to municipal deannexation; to provide for municipal deannexation of property by application of 100 percent of property owners;

Passed House 32/20; Passed Senate 101/66

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 375 Guardian and ward; authority of conservator and cooperation with guardian or other interested parties; define gross settlement

Passed House 161/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 383 Safer Hospitals Act; relating to assault and battery and related offenses against persons, so as to provide for enhanced penalties for aggravated assault and aggravated battery committed upon emergency health workers and healthcare workers located on a hospital campus

Passed House 170/5; Passed Senate 46/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 384 Insurance; relating to individual accident and sickness insurance coverage for mammograms, Pap smears, and prostate-specific antigen tests, so as to provide for annual notification by insurers to male insureds of coverage for prostate-specific antigen tests;

Passed House 169/1; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 392 The creation of the Georgia Endowment for Teaching Professionals to foster a public-private partnership for support of postsecondary teaching professionals in high demand courses, subjects, and disciplines

Passed House 175/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 402 Education; relating to health of elementary and secondary school students, so as to require public schools and local school systems to provide water safety education information upon initial enrollment to parents and guardians of students under 18 years of age and directly to student 18 years of age and older

Passed House 159/0; Passed Senate 40/6

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 404 Safe at Home Act; relating to landlord and tenant, so as to provide for a duty of habitability for certain rental agreements

Passed House 168/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 406 Georgia Public Service Commission; regulation of the provision of certain electricity used as a motor fuel in electric vehicles

Passed House 161/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 412 Income tax; relating to income taxes, so as to repeal a limitation on the types of partnerships that may elect to pay income taxes at the entity level

Passed House 175/0; Passed Senate 48/1

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 414 Mental health; relating to governing and regulation of mental health, so as to provide for a grant program within the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide behavioral health services to military service members, veterans, and their families;

Passed Senate 51/0; Passed House 169/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 416 Pharmacies; relating to the practice of pharmacy, so as to authorize qualified pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines

Passed House 164/2; Passed Senate 49/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 431 Special purpose local option sales tax; counties; provisions

Passed House 174/0; Passed Senate 48/4

Erwin Y; Hatchett Excused

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 436 Surface mining; relating to surface mining, so as to revise maximum criminal penalties for violations

Passed House 164/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 440 Education; relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to authorize public and private schools to stock a supply of undesignated ready-to-use glucagon

Passed House 169/0; Passed Senate 56/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 444 Property; so as to revise when an action may operate as a lis pendens;

Passed House 171/0; Passed Senate 46/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 453 Health; so as to repeal a requirement that every ambulance service pay an annual license fee; to repeal a requirement that ambulance service annual license fees be deposited into the Indigent Care Trust Fund

Passed Senate 41/10; Passed House 162/1

Hatchett 41/10; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

HB 454 Revenue and taxation; relating to revenue and taxation, so as to revise the terms “Internal Revenue Code” and “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” and thereby incorporate certain provisions of the federal law into Georgia law

Passed House 175/0; Tabled by Senate

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

HB 455 Professions and businesses; to provide that professional programs that are established to address career fatigue and wellness in healthcare professionals are not obligated to report to licensing boards except in certain circumstances,

Passed House 174/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 458 Agriculture; relating to hemp farming, so as to provide for intent; to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to offenses against public health and morals, so as to prohibit the purchase of, sale of, and the offering of samples of hemp products by or to any individual under the age of 21 years old

Passed House 169/2; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 460 Courts; so as to provide for a child’s right to legal representation in legitimation cases

Passed House 165/0; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 462 To enact the “Raise the Age Act”; to change the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include certain children who are 17 years of age

Passed House 145/22; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 470 Georgia Candor Act; relating to medical and other confidential information, so as to allow for voluntary open communications related to healthcare under rules of evidence

Passed House 163/1; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 475 Code Revision Commission; to revise, modernize, correct errors or omissions in, and reenact the statutory portion of said Code, as amended, in furtherance of the work of the Code Revision Commission;

Passed House 168/0; Passed Senate 46/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 480 Workers’ compensation; benefits; to change certain provisions related to workers’ compensation benefits; to change provisions relating to surviving spouse dependency determination and termination; to increase the compensation benefits for total disability and temporary partial disability; to increase the total compensation payable to a surviving spouse as a sole dependent at the time of death

Passed House 154/15; Passed Senate 52/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 482 Income tax, to provide for clarification, with respect to an income tax credit for establishing or relocating quality jobs

Passed House 170/4; Passed Senate 52/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 493 Professions and businesses; relating to renewal, surrender, and restoration of registered professional nursing licenses and continuing competency requirements, so as to revise a provision regarding verification of competency

Passed House 175/0; Passed Senate 50/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 497 Health; relating to health, so as to authorize the use of certified medication aides in penal institutions; to provide for related matters

Passed House 167/0; Passed Senate 51/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 4/3

HB 498 Funeral directors and embalmers; relating to licenses for funeral directors and embalmers, so as to change certain provisions related to the reinstatement of a lapsed funeral director’s license

Passed House 172/0; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 500 Crimes and offenses; relating to arson and explosives, so as to provide for the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle

Passed House 100/69; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 504 Education; relating to local five mill share funds, so as to exclude amounts attributable to level 1 freeport exemptions for purposes of calculating local five mill share

Passed House 170/3; Senate Tabled

HB 505 Crimes and offenses; relating to riot, so as to provide for a felony penalty

Passed House 98/73; Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted

Erwin Y

HB 508 Crimes and offenses; relating to restraining orders and protective orders, so as to provide that orders be served on a respondent within 24 hours of the court’s issuance of such order

Passed House 167/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 509 Crimes and offenses; burglary; relating to burglary, so as to include an act of family violence as an element of such offense

Passed House 163/4; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 518 Labor and industrial relations; to change certain provisions relating to employment security; to extend certain provisions relating to the rate of employer contributions and variations from the standard rate

Passed House 105/64; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 520 Buildings and housing; relating to demurrers, motions, and special pleas and exceptions relative to insanity and mental incompetency

Passed House 163/3; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 524 Relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for the issuance of a Class C driver’s license to operators of certain three-wheeled motor vehicles

Passed House 168/7; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 528 Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act; relating to deceptive or unfair trade practices, so as to enact the “Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act”; to provide for regulation of certain acts and practices of businesses 6 that offer paid subscriptions or purchasing agreements online subject to automatic renewal 7 or continuous service

Passed Senate 49/1; Passed House 163/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 529 Insurance; relating to insurance and motor vehicles and traffic, respectively, so as to provide for minimum amounts of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to be maintained by transportation network companies and taxi service companies

Passed House 153/9; Passed Senate 52/2

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/31

HB 530 Civil practice; relating to depositions and discovery, so as to provide for protective orders for certain high-ranking officers

Passed House 156/8; Senate Tabled

Erwin Y

HB 531 Local government; to provide for local government investment policies; to provide scope, investment objectives, and applicability

Passed House 170/3; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 545 Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits; relating to agricultural commodity commissions generally, so as to provide for an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits

Passed House 172/0; Passed Senate 74/3

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 557 Professions and businesses, relating to physicians, assistants, and others, so as to authorize physicians to delegate the authority to advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances; provide for requirements;

Passed Senate 53/1; Passed House 173/2

Hatchett Y; Erwin Y

HB 563 Fair Employment Practices Act of 1978; to provide for hearing before an administrative law judge; to change provisions relating to the appointment of hearing officers

Passed House 175/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 571 Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan; relating to Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan, so as to provide that the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan be updated every four years

Passed House 170/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 572 Elections,relating to government transparency and campaign finance, so as to rename the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission as the State Ethics Commission The commission is authorized to impose civil penalties against a municipal clerk, chief executive officer of the county or an election superintendent who fails to properly transmit a copy of each such report, upon finding that said superintendent willfully failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

Passed House 173/0; Passed Senate 47/0

Erwin Y; Hatchett Y

Sent to Governor 3/30

HB 581 Audits and Accounts, Department of; relating to economic analysis of certain tax benefits of law or proposed law,

Passed House 175/0; Did not advance to Senate vote

Erwin Y

HB 611 Budgetary and financial affairs; relating to management of budgetary and financial affairs, so as to provide for the disposition of state funds derived from certain legal judgments or settlements

Passed Senate 51/1; Passed House 171/0

Hatchett Excused; Erwin Y

Sent to Governor 4/5

The rest of the 850 House Bills introduced this session never made it out of committee, or did not make it to a full vote on the House floor.

761 House Resolutions were considered this session. House resolutions do not result in laws or binding regulations. Instead, they are typically used to express the collective sentiment of the House on a particular issue, person, or event, to recommend the creation of committees or specific studies or research, or to handle procedural elements of the House, such as a Resolution adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives.

s like we do indictments, etc? Just a few at a time? )

As of July 1, Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are prohibited in Georgia waters within 200 feet of a shoreline or moored boat, pregnant women in Georgia can apply for welfare, gang-related crimes carry stiffer penalties, schools are required to hold an active shooter drill each year, and TikTok is banned on all government devices.

House Bill 121 bans wakesurfing or wakeboarding on state waters “within 200 feet of any moored vessel; any wharf, dock, pier, piling, or bridge structure or abutment; or any shoreline adjacent to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area.” Wakeboarding or wakesurfing are also now prohibited between sunset and sunrise. The bill also mandates that all wakeboarders and wakesurfers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while participating in these activities.The bill does not apply to a permitted regatta, boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition and does not apply on Intracoastal waterways, rivers, or private lakes.