Christmas in March? Yes, if you are a lawmaker (particularly a Senator), you are likely to be getting all sorts of presents. Committees trimmed trees from morning till evening on Tuesday while the chambers were in adjournment. Through the course of the day, all sorts of issues were debated from homestead exemptions to transgender youth protections to urging resolutions on chemistry. And if that were not enough, lawmakers set calendars for Wednesday as the clock ticks forward. As for their only constitutionally mandated item of business this year, the FY 2025 Budget, it remains a mystery as the Senate has not released its spending plan despite late night Green Door discussions on Monday evening. 

In this Report:

• Committee Reports
• What’s Next

Committee Reports
 

House Regulated Industries Committee

Chairman Alan Powell (R-Hartwell) and the House Regulated Industries Committee met on Tuesday morning, taking action on these measures:

• SB 449, authored by Senator Larry Walker, III (R-Perry), is the legislation amending O.C.G.A. 31-7-12.8 to exempt certain military medical personnel from an examination requirement to qualify as a certified nursing aide. The legislation in the Subcommittee received several changes as presented by Subcommittee Chairman Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth). It adds language from Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell) so as to have a separate license for advanced practice registered nurses and adds a definition for rural hospital organizations. This initiative received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• SB 354, authored by Senator Larry Walker, III (R-Perry), amends O.C.G.A. 43-10-1 addressing cosmetology and barbers. It was presented by Subcommittee Chairman Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth), who gave the initiative a DO PASS recommendation. This legislation seeks to allow individuals who wish to wash and dry hair and/or apply makeup may do so without being required to be licensed. Representative Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta) asked if the legislation had any age limitations; it does not. She also inquired about the liability of individuals who do this. Representative Ridley indicated that could have a business license and insurance. Representative Mainor asked that language relating to the use of flat irons and curling irons be taken out because there are professional grade items that can be heated to 400 degrees, noting that damage to hair with a burn could impede the hair’s regrowth. Representative Dale Washburn (R-Macon) indicated his support of the legislation and noted it would help young individuals to go to work and make a living. Representative Al Williams (D-Midway) made sure that all knew that he did not plan to carry another bill involving cosmetology under any circumstances; he shared that there are too many licenses now. A motion was made do pass with an amendment offered to strike language relating to flat irons and curling irons. The legislation was amended, removing the flatiron and curling iron language, and received a DO PASS recommendation along a split vote.
   
• HR 1356, authored by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), is a Resolution “expressing concern about the potential adverse impacts of regulatory overreach on the chemical industry.” This received a great deal of discussion from Committee members, breaking across party lines. There were concerns, according to Representative Thomas, that there was “regulatory overreach” by the Biden Administration over the chemical industry. Representative Derrick Jackson (D-Tyrone) noted that as a 22-year military veteran, he wanted to understand how this Resolution improved national security or how the initiative would address GDP issues, as 35 economists recently indicated that all sorts of records had been broken by manufacturing over the last three decades. Representative Thomas asked Representative Jackson what the first chemical that was applied to a ship to prevent corrosion was: paint. Representative Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) noted that it was not solely the Biden Administration but also prior presidential administrations. He indicated that the resolution was not a “mere” resolution but critical in a political year. Members noted that bureaucrats working in the administration made these rules and regulations. Representative Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) noted that his hometown was home to the largest chemical manufacturer, and it produces ammunition and chemicals for the pharmaceutical industry. He further pointed out that the effort is important to making chemical manufacturing a national priority. After various members offered amendments, which all failed, the legislation received a DO PASS recommendation.
   

Senate Finance Committee

Chairman Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) and the Finance Committee met on Tuesday afternoon, taking up the following measures:

• HB 1182, authored by Representative Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), is legislation addressing low-income housing tax credits (in Titles 33 and 48), which was discussed on Monday. No vote was taken at the Monday meeting, but it was brought up today, and the bill failed.
   
• HB 1019, authored by Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-44 to increase the amount of a statewide homestead exemption from certain ad valorem taxes. The current law is $2,000, and this legislation, as presented in Committee, moved the amount to $4,000. Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) made an amendment to increase the amount to $10,000 after questions were raised by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) on when the original law was put into place in 1978. This underlying increase has been proposed by Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington). There was also a suggestion made by ACCG to raise the increase for the calculation for local governments but that idea was rejected. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is in support of the increase in the statewide homestead exemption. This legislation received a DO PASS recommendation with the Amendment by Senator Albers.
   
• HB 1020, authored by Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Mary’s), addresses O.C.G.A. 48-7-40.1, providing that certain military zones qualify for designation as less developed areas during a limited period of time. Chairman Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) presented the measure on behalf of Representative Sainz. It allows for years 2025 and 2026 a census tract with a federal military installation with a garrison of at least 5,000 military or federal personnel. This is intended to help areas with private lands around Georgia’s military installations. The legislation received a DO PASS recommendation. [This is LC 50 0884S.] This received a DO PASS recommendation despite three votes in opposition.
   
• HB 170, authored by Representative Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), is, in its original form, a proposed tax sales and tax use exemption for specified digital works items. This legislation was gutted by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Powder Springs), and language from SB 344 was inserted in its place. It is a sales tax holiday for hunters, exempting sales of firearms, ammunition, gun safes, trigger locks, and related accessories during a five-day period each year (starting on the second Friday of October annually). This language is to sunset on June 30, 2029. [This is LC 50 0856S.]
   
• HB 308, authored by Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta), is the amendment to O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.22. It was presented as a new Substitute to add to the current law for tax credits for medical preceptor rotations and adds that this will also apply to preceptors for dentistry in addition to physicians, nurses, and physician’s assistants. It caps the aggregate credits at $6 million annually in any calendar year. It begins in tax years starting on or after January 1, 2025 and sunsets December 31, 2029. [This is LC 50 0820S.]
   

Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), met late on Monday to consider the following measures:

• HB 909, authored by Representative Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons), amends Titles 35 and 42 to restrict and seal First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked. Specifically, the bill requires the restriction and sealing of related records at the time of sentencing, subject to reversal if the sentence is not successfully completed. The Committee considered a Substitute incorporating clarifications requested by judicial stakeholders, and the Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 926, authored by Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), is the Second Chance Workforce Act. The bill amends several titles to provide for the issuance of certificates by a court for purposes of demonstrating rehabilitation and good moral character and automatic reinstatement of a driver's license suspended for failure to appear upon subsequent appearance or rescheduling of an appearance. The legislation makes several other changes to this process to assist individuals with accessing reinstatement. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation by Substitute.
   
• HB 986, authored by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), amends Title 21 to establish the criminal offense of election interference with a deep fake and solicitation of such. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 993, authored by Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), creates a new crime of “grooming “minors for sexual favors. Committee members asked him questions about whether the crime depended on the Commission of a Sexual Act after the young person came of age and other suggestions for the perfection of the bill. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• HB 1022, authored by Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Mary’s), is the “Colton-McNeill Act.” The bill amends Title 16 to provide for the sentencing of a person convicted of cruelty to children in the first or second degree against a disabled minor. The Committee recommended that the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 1099, authored by Representative David Huddleston (R-Roopville), amends Title 16 to provide for the crime of criminal trespass upon the knowing entry upon land or premises of another that has been marked with purple paint. No action was taken on the measure.
   
• HB 1172, authored by Representative James Burchett (R-Waycross), amends Title 44 to remove references to the public trust doctrine. It also provides that members of the public have the right to use all navigable streams as highways and for hunting and fishing. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 1255, authored by Representative Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta), amends Title 5 to provide for the preparation and filing of the transcript of evidence and proceedings where the appellant designates matter to be omitted from record on appeal and extensions of time for completion of a transcript. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 1283, authored by Representative Holt Persinger (R-Winder), amends Title 15 to revise a provision relating to using a deadly weapon. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 1292, authored by Representative Gabe Okoye (D-Lawrenceville), amends Title 44 to require that the clerks of the superior courts obtain photographic identification cards of individuals who present deeds or other instruments for recording. The bill also requires such clerks to retain certain information relating to deeds or other instruments presented for recording. Additionally, the bill amends Titles 23 and 51 to provide remedies for fraudulently recorded deeds or other instruments. The Committee considered a Substitute that contains content from SB 474 requiring certain disclosures on unsolicited offers to purchase real estate on the request of the Georgia Association of Realtors. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 1361, authored by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), amends Title 16 to prohibit the distribution of computer generated obscene material depicting a child. The Committee amended the bill to add the language from SB 182, Senator Sonya Halpern’s (D-Atlanta) bill providing for the offense of doxxing. The Committee also adopted an amendment to extend the bill’s coverage to individuals who create an artificial intelligence system to create obscene material depicting a child. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS as amended and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   
• HB 1409, authored by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), amends Title 51 to limit liability for mental health care providers under certain circumstances. Specifically, the bill limits liability for mental health care providers providing inpatient care to individuals to instances of gross negligence (instead of mere negligence), provides considerations for the jury in such cases, and limits liability for punitive damages. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   

Senate Education & Youth Committee

The Senate Education & Youth Committee, chaired by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), met on Tuesday morning to consider the following measures:

• HB 51, authored by Representative Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn), amends Title 20 to authorize local boards of education to use vehicles other than school buses for the transport of all students to and from school and school related activities.

  Representative Pirkle presented the bill to the Committee, which was amended to allow the Georgia Independent School Association to be a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations
   

• HB 81, authored by Representative John Corbett (R-Lake Park), amends Title 20 to revise the eligibility criteria for certain capital outlay grants for low-wealth school systems. Specifically, the bill allows schools that are in the lowest 25% SPLOST and property collections to get buildout of new facilities. It also permits consolidations of schools, but facilities are to be at least 35 years old.

  Representative Corbett presented the bill to the Committee, noting that the content of the bill has been included (along with other measures) in HB 318, which is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Passing this measure would provide a standalone option should HB 318 be vetoed, and the Committee would continue consideration of the measure in case of this contingency. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   

• HB 282, authored by Representative Mesha Mainor (D-Atlanta), amends Title 20 to provide for a minimum course of study in career readiness education for students in grades six through 12, to include instruction and training experiences focused on employability and career readiness skills, and it further provides direction to the Department of Education to develop, assemble, and make available instructional resources and materials concerning employability and career readiness skills, career exploration, and career-oriented learning experiences.

  Representative Mainor presented the bill to the Committee as a Substitute which includes several additions to the underlying bill, including:

  • Allowing patriotic societies as defined in federal law to have priority in the use of school facilities outside of instructional time and requiring denials in writing;
  • Requiring that coursework required under the existing Founding Philosophy and Principles Act include education on the State budget using an an interactive taxpayer receipt web-based application and a budget simulator web-based application;
  • Establishing rules and regulations for local school system outreach efforts regarding the English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) program from HB 1153.

Senator Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) also offered an amendment that would add permission for school districts to provide family health insurance coverage for school board members, which is currently prohibited in Code. The Committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute as Amended and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• HB 987, authored by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Colquitt), amends Title 20 relating to equalization grants. The measure seeks to accommodate the rise in property values by reducing the minimum millage rate to 10 mills. Some systems have already lowered their rate below the threshold of 14 mills. This measure adds language for systems that go below the threshold, and they will be penalized with a 25% reduction in equalization funding.

  Representative Cannon presented the bill to the Committee, which recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   

The Committee also met in the afternoon on Tuesday to take up the following measure:

• HB 579, authored by Representative Carter Barrett (R-Cumming), amends Title 20 to make several changes to the Special Needs Scholarship Program. The bill clarifies that a student does not need to satisfy the prior year public school attendance requirement when he or she has previously qualified for a scholarship and that a student receiving the scholarship does not need to keep their IEP or Section 504 plan up to date after establishing eligibility. It also provides for electronic payments of scholarship funds.

  Representative Barrett presented the bill to the Committee, which recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
   

• HB 1104, authored by Representative Omari Crawford (D-Decatur), amends Title 20 to address mental health risks for student-athletes. Specifically, the bill requires that school athletic associations collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to develop mental health awareness materials for posting online and requires coaches to review mental health awareness materials annually.

  Representative Crawford presented the bill to the Committee, but Chairman Dixon noted that it would be considered as a Substitute that incorporates language from other bills, including:

  • Requiring notification to parents and legal guardians of public school students of the right to receive email notification each time their child obtains school library materials (SB 365);
  • Authorizing Georgia public schools to operate or facilitate separate teams for members of each gender where selection for such teams is based upon competitive fairness or student safety (SB 438); and
  • Prohibiting sex education for public school students in this state before fifth grade (SB 532).

Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) offered an amendment to the underlying bill replacing references to “mental health” with “suicide risk and prevention” and removing private schools from the requirement. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute as Amended and be sent to the Rules Committee.
 

House Ways and Means Committee

Chairman Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) called the House Ways and Means Committee to order Tuesday to discuss the following:

• SB 344, originally authored by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), amends Title 48 relating to the sale of guns. With Senator Anavitarte's approval, the measure was replaced with language regarding income tax exemption for rural broadband. The Substitute includes language from Representative Beth Camp’s (R-Concord) HB 814. This will allow federal funds for broadband not to be subject to state income tax. The measure is not retroactive. The Substitute (LC 50 0893S) received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• SB 496, originally authored by Senator Max Burns (R-Sylvania), amended Title 48 regarding historic property assessments. The new Substitute (LC 50 0896S) has provisions from HB 1197, authored by Representative Penny Houston (R-Nashville), and HB 1116, authored by Representative Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City). The Senate author approved these changes. The changes on lines 18-26 alter the definition of certified structure to allow communities to start the rehabilitation process without having to designate the area in the national register. Lines 39-42 extend the sunset for historic residential tax credit sunset to 2029. Lines 46-47 add the sunset for revitalization zone tax credits. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• SB 349, originally authored by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), amended Title 48 to revise property taxation. Chairman Blackmon presented LC 50 0898S, which now includes language from Representative Dale Washburn’s (R-Macon) HB 1031, Representative Beth Camp’s (R-Concord) HB 1185, and Representative Noel Williams (R-Cordele) HB 1115. Section 1 includes language out of HB 1031. Section 1 includes the estimated rollback, adjusts notice, and requires the bill appraiser to appraise every three years. If neither the taxpayer nor the agent attends the appeal moving forward to the superior court, the 85% increases to 100%. Section 2 has language from HB 1185. Section 2, instead of opting in, it is now an opt-out. If the referendum goes out, it would require an opt-out for the levying authority of that homestead exemption. Section 3 is from HB 1115 with adjustments. Section 3 includes FLOST only if all counties and cities do not opt-out and allows for a LOST to reduce property taxes.

  Representative Washburn asked about lines 35-37, reading the removal of the most recent sale shall be the maximum fair market value for the next year. He continued to ask if the tax assessors could explain that. To him, a sale is the best indicator of the value of property. A representative from ACCG explained the current law caused a divergence between the tax assessor/appraiser and the Department of Audits. By creating the freeze, an artificial cap is created. A sale in January as an assessor trends through the year, they are frozen with those beginning of the year sales. Essentially, they are forcing the assessor's office to trend toward the end of the year. There is more agitation and appeals between the office and the property owners. Taking the provision out relaxes that. With this change, the Department of Audits would then use the same data the assessors use. This is a compromised language. According to the Department, Chairman Blackmon explained that 117 counties fell out of compliance because they kept assessments too low. Representative Washburn expressed further confusion about bonafide sales being artificial. He understood future sales. Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) asked if the language in compliance would result in artificially high evaluations. It could. Representative Martin asked if it would be better to return to the Department statute and correct it there. Dante Handle with ACCG explained all property is valued on January 1. The language introduces a ratio to ensure the counties can hit a moving target. The result is two effects on a taxpayer. First they are hoping to reduce assessed value. Then a discount to lower the millage rate. Representative Spencer Frye (D-Athens) was concerned about removing the sentence because it ended up removing the fair market value. Chairman Blackmon explains it was added by a Senator several years ago.

  Based on the time and other committee meetings, Chairman Blackmon suggested the Committee review the changes to return for further discussion.
   

Senate Regulated Industries Committee

Chairman Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) called the Senate Committee to order Tuesday to discuss the following measures:

• HB 809, authored by Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), amends Chapter 28 of Title 43 to authorize occupational therapists to perform dry needling as a physical agent modality with certain education and training requirements. An amendment was offered to increase the hours of instruction on line 66 (increasing to 28 hours), line 67 (increasing 22 hours), and line 72 (increasing to 40 hours). The measure received a DO PASS recommendation, with two in opposition.
   
• HB 1260, authored by Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens), amends Title 2 to enact the "Georgia Nicotine Vapor Products Directory Act.” The intent is to protect retailers and convenience stores from inappropriate vape products. The new Substitute allows products pending FDA approval to be sold along with already approved products. Currently, there are 23 approved products. Senator Carden Summers (R-Cordele) offered an amendment to move the implementation date forward one year, July 1, 2026. This amendment failed. LC 36 5838S received a DO PASS recommendation, with 3 in opposition.
   
• HB 839, authored by Representative Katie Dempsey, amends Title 43 to create the “Social Work License Act.” This measure intends to increase social work access and streamline the licensing process. It would increase the license's portability and allow those licensed to work across state lines. Two states have enacted the social work compact, with 25 pending legislation. This measure also includes language for a massage therapy compact. Stan Jones, on behalf of the American Massage Therapy Association, explained the additional language with the massage therapy compact. This language is too narrow. The most concerning parts are the national licensing exam requirement, the number of hours, and the requirement of continuing education credits. An amendment to increase clinical training for massage therapists from 500 to 625 hours was approved. LC 36 5868S, which removes the massage compact, received a DO PASS recommendation. Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry) will carry the measure forward.
   
• HB 1264, authored by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), amends Title 43 to authorize the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists to establish a professional health program to provide for monitoring and rehabilitation of impaired healthcare professionals. It also authorizes the Georgia Board of Nursing to establish a professional health program to monitor and rehabilitate impaired healthcare professionals. It is an alternative discipline program. Georgia has other similar programs for physicians, dentists, and pharmacists. Georgia is only one of seven states that does not have a similar program for nurses; note that all southern states have a program. It allows treatment without nurses losing their licenses when they have issues such as mental illness. SB 529, authored by Senator Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain) was added to the measure, which adds a two provisional license for those physicians who have been foreign trained. It sets up further provisions. This is added in Section 3 of HB 1264. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation. Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) will carry the measure forward in the Senate.
   
• HB 1096, authored by Representative Dale Washburn (R-Macon), adds a new Code section at O.C.G.A. 43-1-4.1 to establish, on behalf of professional licensing boards under the jurisdiction of the office of the Secretary of State, a continuing education tracking solution to monitor compliance of licensees with applicable continuing education requirements. This continuing education monitoring/tracking is already used by some of the licensure boards overseen by the Secretary of State (that entity is CE Broker). The language is “permissive” and not a mandate that the Secretary of State use this type of system. Gabe Sterling, with the Secretary of States Office, provided more context. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation. Senator Summers will carry the measure.
   
• HB 843, authored by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), amends Title 3 relating to special entertainment districts. This measure ensures Underground Atlanta continues to be considered part of a special entertainment district. The measure also clarifies what areas can be considered in these districts in regard to public and private funds and ownership. Mike Griffin with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board expressed concern over the measure. Several amendments were offered. Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) moved to include a version of SB 444, which focuses on coupons for alcohol sales. Several organizations came forward to express their views on the amendment. The amendment passed, with two in opposition and one abstention. Senator Albers offered AM 36 0994 regarding wine bars. The language can be found in HB 1232, authored by Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth). This amendment was also passed. The measure, as amended, received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• HB 1322, authored by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie), amends Title 2 to create the “Georgia Hemp Farming Act.” The Committee was discussing this measure as this report went to print.

Senate Finance Committee

Chairman Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) called the Senate Finance Committee to order Monday to discuss the following:

• HB 101, authored by Representative Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), amends Title 48 to include several things. The measure includes policy on the rural hospital tax credit, data centers, and public schools. The measure adds the rural hospital tax credit and sets the sunset for June 30, 2029. Additionally, the measure clarifies language for data centers that have applied for a certificate of exemption. Initially, the Substitute included language that related to depreciation for single-family residential rental property (HB 490), but that was removed with an amendment. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• HB 283, authored by Representative Beth Camp (R-Concord), amends Title 48 relating to the taxation of mobile homes. This measure seeks to tax mobile homes at 60% rather than on both their construction materials and labor. A Substitute was presented. Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) amended the measure to eliminate Section 1-1 creating a first-time homebuyer tax credit, which was approved. Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) asked about tiny homes. This measure would only apply to park model homes. An amendment to create a sunset of June 30, 2029 passed. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• HB 581, authored by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), amends Title 48 relating to statewide homestead exemption. The new Substitute includes agreed upon language from SB 349 and HB 1031. This measure seeks to create a mandatory floating homestead exemption with an opt-out three percent inflationary increase for local governments. This will have to be advertised three times with three public hearings. The measure contains an opt out for counties. LC 50 0888S received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• HR 1022, authored by Representative Beth Camp (R-Concord), is the accompanying constitutional amendment for HB 581. This measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
   
• HB 1182, authored by Representative Clint Crowe (R-Dallas), amends Title 48 relating to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. The measure adds definitions for affordable housing projects, senior, and targeted community projects. It also changes the amounts for credits for certain projects. No action was taken on this measure.
   

What’s Next

The General Assembly will reconvene for Legislative Day 37 on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 10 a.m.

The House is expected to take up the following measures on Legislative Day 37:

• SB 328 - Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; provisions; revise
• SB 412 - Professions and Businesses; administrative and civil sanctions against charitable organizations, paid solicitors, and solicitor agents for certain violations; change provisions
• SB 424 - West Georgia Judicial Circuit; create
• SB 455 - Medical Assistance; provisions to comply with federal law; revise
• SB 464 - School Supplies for Teachers Program; establish
• SB 465 - Homicide; the felony offense of aggravated involuntary manslaughter; provide
• SB 493 - Sexual Offender Risk Review Board; additional penalties for registered sexual offenders; provide
• SB 533 - Proceedings; jail-based competency restoration programs; provide
• SB 340 - Sales and Use Taxes; firearm safes and firearm safety devices; exempt

The Senate is expected to take up the following measures on Legislative Day 37:

• HB 285 - Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; total percentage of funds invested in alternative investments; raise limit
• HB 456 - Local government; increase term for municipal court judges from one year to two years; provisions
• HB 808 - Ad valorem tax; increase a statewide exemption for tangible personal property
• HB 935 - Motor vehicles; standards for a conviction through the use of speed devices; provide
• HB 984 - Insurance, Department of; Office of the Safety Fire Commissioner; update practices
• HB 1015 - Income tax; reduce rate of tax
• HB 1023 - Income tax; match tax rate imposed on corporations to that imposed on individual taxpayers
• HB 1083 - Community Health, Department of; adult residential mental health services licensing; extend grace periods
• HB 1114 - Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act; enact
• HB 1122 - Education; provide for funding requirements to apply to local agencies; charter schools; provisions
• HB 1201 - Criminal procedure; vacating of sentences of victims of trafficking; provisions
• HB 1237 - Agriculture; agricultural commodity commissions; revise a definition
• HB 1267 - Georgia Tax Court Act of 2025; enact
• HB 1326 - Crimes and offenses; Schedule I, Schedule III, and Schedule IV controlled substances; provide certain provisions
• HB 1344 - Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; allow for certain officials on to be represented by a delegate or agent
• HR 598 - Georgia Tax Tribunal; vest judicial power; provide for venue and jurisdiction - CA

See our coverage of Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28, Day 29, Day 30, Day 31, the Committee Work Day, the Crossover Day, Day 32, Day 33, Day 34, Day 35, and Day 36.