The General Assembly wrapped up its workweek on Thursday by taking up a number of weighty issues in each chamber. The House approved the much-discussed “Student Technology Protection Act” (HB 1217), legislation allowing for expanded auditory screening for children and adolescents (HB 1186), and the annual tax code cleanup bill (HB 1320). In the Senate, the “Save Girls Sports Act” (SB 435) received the most attention, passing by a 34-22 party line vote. However, the Upper Chamber also signed off on legislation replacing outdated references to General Educational Development (GED) diplomas in Code with the newfangled High School Equivalency (HSE) moniker (SB 397) and propositions redrawing the districts for the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education (HB 1028 and HB 1154).

The House also wrapped up its Appropriations subcommittee hearings on the FY23 spending plan for the State this afternoon, clearing the way for backroom budget discussions over the next few weeks before the House version is revealed and put to a vote. Details on these hearings and the other committee meetings on Wednesday and Thursday in this #GoldDomeReport.

In this Report:

• Floor Action

• Committee Reports

• New Legislation

• What’s Next

Floor Action

The House of Representatives took up the following measures on Thursday:

• HB 389 - Employment security; change definition of employment to include services performed by an individual for wages - POSTPONED

• HB 896 - Revenue and taxation; update population bracket and census date for a certain property tax exemption for certain leased property - PASSED (157-0)

• HB 1008 - Georgia Achieving A Better Life Experience; governance of program by board of directors of Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan; provide - PASSED (159-0)

• HB 1059 - Insurance; unfair trade practices and unlawful inducements; provide for exclusions - PASSED (157-0)

• HB 1088 - Property; nonjudicial foreclosure of time-share estates; authorize - PASSED (141-18)

• HB 1186 - Speech-language pathologists and audiologists; revise licensing provisions - PASSED (156-0)

• HB 1215 - Education; provision that reduced the amount of certain funding to state charter schools that offer virtual instruction; remove - PASSED (113-45)

• HB 1217 - Student Technology Protection Act; enact - PASSED (131-26)

• HB 1233 - Natural Resources, Department of; earliest effective date for certain rules and regulations; delay - PASSED (155-4)

• HB 1276 - Community Health, Department of; statistical reports data relating to state health plans be posted on department website; require - PASSED (151-1)

• HB 1307 - Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act; revise - PASSED (159-3)

• HB 1320 - Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; define terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law - PASSED (157-0)

• HB 1321 - Commerce; litigation bar on governmental entities regarding certain statewide opioid litigation; provide - RECOMMITTED

The Senate took up the following measures on Thursday:

• SB 397 - General Educational Development (GED) Diplomas; update and replace terminology; state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diplomas; provide - PASSED (54-0)

• SB 435 - Education; shall be unlawful for Ga public school students or teams to compete against a Ga public school that permits a person of one gender to participate in an athletic program that is designated for persons of opposite gender; provide - PASSED (34-22)

• SB 472 - Public Service Commission; description of the election districts for members; change - PASSED (33-12)

• SB 505 - Communications Officers; 9-1-1 communications officers receive training in the delivery of high-quality telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation; require - PASSED (52-0)

• SR 477 - Joint Georgia Music Heritage Study Committee; create - PASSED (52-0)

• HB 1028 - Cobb County; Board of Education; change description of districts - PASSED (33-20)

• HB 1154 - Cobb County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts - PASSED (33-18)

Committee Reports

House Health and Human Services

The House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), met late Tuesday to consider the following measures:

• HB 1304, authored by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), is the “Georgia Caregivers Act.” The bill amends Title 31 to require hospitals to provide patients with the opportunity to identify lay caregivers who may participate in a patient’s discharge planning process.

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

• HB 1348, authored by Representative Bonnie Rich (R-Sugar Hill), amends the Georgia Smoke-Free Air Act across several titles to provide that vaping be treated the same as smoking for purposes of the Act’s prohibitions.

  Representative Rich presented the bill to the Committee, which is being proposed by the Department of Public Health. Several stakeholder groups voiced support for the legislation, including the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education and the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

• HB 1355, authored by Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), revises the Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act to incorporate changes recommended by a recent study committee on childhood lead exposure. Specifically, the bill aims to align Georgia’s lead poisoning statutes with federal law.

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

  The Committee met again on Wednesday for its second hearing on HB 1013, the omnibus mental health reform bill brought by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) led the committee through a new substitute for HB 1013 that  reflected amendments that the bill’s sponsors and Chair Cooper had accepted to date. The bill was presented as a work in progress. The adolescent frequent patient registry, for example, was removed from the bill while the authors think through how to better coordinate care for adolescents who frequently visit ERs for their mental health conditions. The required medical loss ratio to be achieved by the Medicaid care management organizations was amended to allow some credits to the medical spend for programs funded by the organizations to improve health conditions. Members asked questions about the medical loss ratio language, how to improve adolescent mental health care, sheriffs’ issues with transporting patients from emergency evaluation centers, and how to minimize administrative costs to providers from multiple regulatory agencies. The mental health parity provisions have not been significantly adjusted in this substitute.

  The Committee heard testimony from persons and groups who had not previously testified.  NAMI gave its strong support for the bills. The Georgia Sheriffs Association supported the bill but repeated its continuing concerns about transport of civilly committed patients by sheriffs.  One organization expressed concern about relaxing the civil commitment standard. The substitute continues its initial language to relax the standard, but Representative Oliver indicated she is looking at some other language from Illinois that sets different standards for civil commitment.

House Appropriations Committee – Education Subcommittee

The Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), met on Wednesday to hear agency and public testimony on the FY23 Budget.

Commissioner Amy Jacobs of the Department of Early Care and Learning provided an infant and toddler social and emotional health update and presented DECAL’s budget proposal. On the first topic, Commissioner Jacobs discussed, among other things, the establishment of the Georgia Association of Infant Mental Health, a Child Parent Psychotherapy Training Pilot, and a Medicaid mental health services billing chart for children ages birth to six. She also highlighted the ACCESS (Awarding Child Care Education Scholarship Supplements) Program, which provides additional funding for CAPS Program participants through the federal CARES Act allocation to Georgia. CARES Act funds have also allowed for expansion of the CAPS Program to up to 10,000 additional children and an increase in the eligibility thresholds; so far, 4,800 of those slots are being used. DECAL is also allocating more than $1 billion of federal recovery funds to the STABLE Program, which is intended to help stabilize the cost of maintaining child care programs. Commissioner Jacobs then presented DECAL’s budget proposal as set forth in the Governor’s Budget Report.

Rusk Roam, Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Education, presented the budget proposal for his Department as set forth in the Governor’s Budget Report. Representative Wes Cantrell (R-Woodstock) inquired about the increase in funds for the Special Needs Scholarship, which the Department reported is expecting an increased utilization of approximately 10% year over year following SB 47 last year. Representative Cantrell noted this was “fairly significant” growth, and Chairman Jones also asked for additional details on Special Needs Scholarship enrollment. Chairman Jones also requested a later conversation with the Department to discuss unintended consequences related to early intervention programs from SB 59 passed last year, stating that he is still getting calls on the topic.

Matt Arthur, Executive Secretary of the Professional Standards Commission, spoke to his agency’s budget, focusing on the Troops to Teachers program. He noted that the program had placed nearly 300 teachers in 60 school districts, and the addition of $182,000 will provide two additional positions to support the placement of spouses of the military members the program is focused on.

Joy Hawkins, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, provided several updates on how her office has used funding during the past year. His remarks included negotiating an unlimited licensing agreement for the Georgia Academic and Workforce Analysis and Research Data System, the state’s Pre-K through workforce longitudinal data system. Ms. Hawkins also discussed the Governor’s Honors Program, which will begin aligning with business this year by offering a computer science and cybersecurity program. The office is also continuing to promote the Growing Readers program, focused on helping educators better teach reading.

Buster Evans, Executive Director of the Teachers Retirement System, closed agency testimony. TRS closed the last fiscal year with a 29.2% return and assets crested $100 billion for the first time in TRS history. Mr. Evans reported lower-than-average retirements over the past year, crediting the teacher salary increases supported by the legislature. Death rates, however, have increased.

A representative of Georgia STOMP spoke in support of period products in schools and asked that such products also be funded and provided for 5th graders with a $200,000 addition to the budget. Jody Reeves of the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education thanked legislators for their prior support and asked that the Subcommittee support full funding of the bond allocation for construction-related equipment grants for CTAE classrooms around the state. Lauren Crabtree, school principal at Youth Villages Inner Harbour, and Helen Sloat, on behalf of Together Georgia and Multi-Agency Alliance for Children, spoke in support of the proposed increase in the Non-QBE Formula Grant and educator salary increases for residential treatment facilities. A representative of Reach Out and Read, which engages pediatricians in delivering books to children during checkups, also spoke to the Subcommittee.

House Education Committee – Academic Support Subcommittee

Representative Chris Erwin (R-Homer) called the meeting to order after he was informed the Chairman was stuck in traffic. Chairman Will Wade (R-Dawsonville) arrived during bill presentation.

• HB 1178 is Governor Kemp’s “Parent’s Bill of Rights”. This measure is being carried by Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), one of the Governor’s Floor Leaders. HB 1178 amends Part 5 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 to provide a framework for parents to request information on instructional material; this would include supplemental or ancillary. The bill requires a review period for two weeks at the beginning of each nine-week period which will be made available to parents. If parents request access to instructional material outside of the review period, the school has three days to provide a description and a timeline of when the information will be provided within 30 days of the receipt of the request. If the school administrator or the local superintendent denies parents request or does not provide the information within 30 days, the parent may appeal this to the local school board or governing board. This appeal must be placed on the next agenda of the local governing board. This measure also includes a provision for parents to opt their children out of photographs and videography by a written note.

  Many legislators had questions. Representative Matthew Wilson (D-Brookhaven) wanted clarity on primary and supplementary instructional material. Representative Bonner noted that primary instructional material were state standards. Representative Bee Nguyen (D-Atlanta) was more specific with a hypothetical, if an educator is teaching instructional reviewed material and they have to adjust based on a students needs, she wondered if they would have to re-submit their plans. Representative Bonner mentioned that if it was instructional that it and it was requested, the plans would have to be provided. Representative Nguyen continued to ask questions on the process of requesting plans. The author mentioned this was not meant to be punitive and that this process provides transparency and allows for conversations to take place. Representative Erwin reminded committee members this is a priority for Governor Kemp and asked which stakeholders were included in the drafting of this legislation and if the measure supports local control. Representative Bonner agreed and mentioned that local superintendents, parents, and teachers were included and that his measure does support local control by giving it back to the parents. Representative Becky Evans (D-Atlanta) asked several questions relating to the repetitive nature of the bill, reminding everyone that many of the definitions and rules are already in law and/or in local school systems rules and regulations. Representative Bonner agreed and added that during the pandemic there were ample examples of rules changing. He also noted that this allows everything to be in one place and better for parents, teachers, and local administrators, so they do not have to refer back to different sections.

  The following individuals and organizations spoke in support and suggested additions to the bill: Mary Klossen, a mother; Laurie Simonelli; Carrie Lokie, a parent; Rhonda Thomas; Noel Kahan, a substitute teacher; Keisha Breelow; Lauren Bischoff; and Amy Noel.

  The following individuals and organizations expressed concerns with the bill: Andrea Young of the ACLU; Lisa Morgan, President of the Georgia Association of Educators; and Cecily Harsch-Kinnane of the Public Education Matters Fund.

  After public comments ended, the bill passed the subcommittee.

House Education Committee

Chairman Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) called the meeting to order to hear four bills and reminded the restless audience and committee members that subcommittee was the time for serious debate and public comment.

• HB 1303, by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), amends Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 to transition an agricultural pilot program to an educational program. Representative Dickey mentioned that the pilot had tremendous success and is working to tackle food deserts while also educating children on STEM and agriculture. Many members expressed their support. Representative Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) mentioned that his program was implemented in his district and was a “wonderful experience” for the students. Representative Will Wade motioned the bill DO PASS.

• HB 1292, by Representative Rick Jasperse, amends Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 to allow students who participate in 4-H sponsored activity shall not be counted as absent from school. No questions or concerns were raised and the bill received a DO PASS recommendation.

• HB 1084, authored by Representative Will Wade, amends Title 20 of the O.C.G.A to prohibit divisive concepts from being taught in schools. Representative Wade mentioned a few changes to clarify meritocracy and anguish and physical distress. He also added that while this had been discussed quite a bit, he was willing to answer any additional questions.

  A few legislators asked questions and expressed concerns similar to the ones that had been expressed in the subcommittee meetings. Others commented on the delicate balance the author struck and appreciated the measure and his work. After the questions and comments subsided, Representative Jasperse made the DO PASS motion. The measure ultimately passed 13-7.

• HB 1178, the “Parent’s Bill of Rights”, by Governor Kemp being sponsored by Representative Josh Bonner, which passed the subcommittee moments before being heard in this full committee. Similar concerns were mentioned by additional committee members. Representative Jan Jones (R-Milton) mentioned that she had every confidence that the local school systems would read the measure the way it was intended. Many members from the subcommittee re-iterated their comments. Chairman Dubnik entertained a DO PASS recommendation. It passed, 13-6.

House Appropriations - Health Subcommittee

Chairman Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro) and the Subcommittee overseeing Medicaid, State Health Benefit Plan, the Composite Board of Medical Examiners, and Department of Public Health held a public hearing to hear more about the needs. There were a number of requests made:

• Archbold Health System - the request was for additional medical education training slots.

• Pack4U - the request was for consideration for funding a pilot program to help lower the cost of care in Medicaid by using assisted technology, medical management and integrated health for individuals with chronic disease.

• Dr. Lucy Marion - the request was for funding a masterplan and recoding efforts to help track where Georgia’s licensed nurses are employed.

• Georgia Home Care Association - the request was for funding to help with the gaps in reimbursement and to allow Medicaid caregivers who provide 30 hours weekly to also qualify for Medicaid.  The 10 percent rate increase made in the  2022 Budget was not enough.

• Leading Age Georgia - the request was to help the adult day industry which lost $4.7 million due to COVID. The group asked for consideration of funding for retainer payments be made from federal funds.

• GEEARS and VOICES for Georgia’s Children - the collective requests were for funding an expansion of evidence-based home visiting programs and funding for childhood lead remediations in the amount of $1.8 million in the Department of Public Health.

• GAPP - the request was for a reimbursement rate increase for the pediatric nursing program because of the enormous staffing problems faced with health staffing companies competing for nurses.

• Georgia CORE - the entity supported the cancer clinical trials funding in the Department of Community Health budget.

• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - the entity explained its work in the state to train physicians, pharmacists, and other health care professionals at its two campuses and requested consideration be given to match local funding of $4.85 million to expand its programming at the Moultrie campus.

• ChildKind - the organization asked for $1.95 million over three years for a pilot program known as Take Charge, helping train parents to better care for their children with medical complexities.

• Mercy Care - the organization accented the need for additional mental health services, particularly child and adolescent services and funding for case management.

• Georgia Psychological Association - the organization asked for consideration be given to allow Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by post-doctoral and intern psychologists under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

• Youth Villages -  the entity thanked the Department of Community Health for its work to adjust rates for psychiatric residential facilities and moving those rates to be aligned with the 2020 cost reports.

• Tammy Rice - the mother of an individual who was addicted, asked for mental health services through a “life care specialist” pilot program for rural Georgia ($1 million over three years).

• 9-5 Georgia - the entity also supported funding for eradicating childhood lead exposure.

• Georgians for Healthy Future - the entity accented to the funding for the PReP program.

• Georgia Dental Association - the group asked for a reimbursement increase for 19 dental codes.

• March of Dimes - the organization asked for support of post-partum Medicaid, the funding for donor breast milk, and additional evidence-based home visiting program expansion.

• Southeast Georgia Health System - the hospital asked for additional graduate medical education funding, arguing that there were only six slots below Macon.

House Appropriations - Human Services Subcommittee

Chairwoman Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) called the meeting to order to hear departmental and agency reports from the Department of Human Services, Office of the Child Advocate, Council on Aging, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, and provided time for public comment.

• Department of Human Services had many representatives present. The budget includes a 10% provider rate increase for Child Caring Institutions, Child Placing Agencies, foster parents, and relative caregivers, totaling about $31.5 million. Funds, $1.5 million, for a pilot program to address children in or at risk of entering foster care. In Region 12, $451,978 for an autism recognition pilot program. $1 million for autism respite care.

• Office of the Child Advocate, Jerry Bruce, thanked members for the $75,078 allocated for pay raises. Director Bruce continued to report on the antiquated technology and the lack of a case management system. He requested an increase because of the renewed focus on statutory requirements. Currently, every investigator has 61 cases. An addition of $380,000 would help investigators and allow the agency to contract with experts for better outcomes.

• Council on Aging, Maureen Kelly, thanked legislators for the $38,610 in pay raises. Kelly added that they would like an increase to manage the system pressures caused by the pandemic. With a waiting list of 9,600, this shows a 37% increase since pre-pandemic levels. Kelly noted that they had expected a boom because of Georgia’s population, but the pandemic shifted that increase and it arrived earlier than expected. Additionally, Kelly said the costs have increased, up 17.5%, and meals have increased by 30%. With no questions, the committee continued to the next report.

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Chris Wells, thanked the committee and the Governor for the $3,484,406 pay increases and adjustments. Wells also added that besides the pay increases, the biggest line item is for maintenance and repairs at a cost of $4.31 million. This is for two of the residential facilities and manufacturing plants. These funds will allow the Agency to draw down federal funds to expand capacity at existing facilities.

There were a number of groups which made public comment to the Subcommittee:

• Representatives from the American Association for Adaptive Sports Programs (This group asked for their funding to be reinstated which was eliminated.  The program serves children in grades 1-12 with sports activities when those students have disabilities.)

• Pace Center for Girls: Macon (This entity asked for funding to expand their programs beyond Bibb, Peach and Crawford Counties. They receive referrals from local district attorneys, schools and other entities and then provide counseling and therapy services to the girls). 

• Georgia Memory Net (This Entity asked for $3 million per year for an expansion of its efforts (which would include an actual facility); the argument is that there are several hundred thousand Georgians impacted cognitively and could benefit by access to early services).

• Together Georgia, Creative Community Services, Youth Villages, and The Methodist Home (These entities asked that the Subcommittee support the Governor’s proposed recommendation of the 10 percent provider rate increase to child placing agencies, child caring institutions, foster parents and relative caregivers in the amount of $27.8 million).

• Statewide Independent Living Council (This group asked for restoration of more than $800,000 to fund its centers for independent living around Georgia.)

• Georgia Association of Training, Employment, and Supports (GATES) (This organization asked for assistance for individuals with disabilities to get work opportunities through the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and in particular accredited CRP line items.)

• Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (CASAs asked for $200,000 so as to expand to more geographic areas in an effort to serve more children.)

• Special Assistant Attorneys General (The SAGS asked for $20.00 more lawyers and $15.00 for paralegals.  Presently, attorneys handling Department of Human Services cases are paid $57.50 per hour and also receive no funding for travel costs.)

• Georgia Family Connection Partnership (This entity asked for $2,000 more for each local entity within the Collaborative Network as well as $100,000 for the Georgia Family Connection Partnership to help address mental health, early learning, and reading initiatives.)

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Melanie McNeill asked for $500,000 for a public relations campaign to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease.)

• The Alzheimer's Association (This Association asked for $1.25 million for dementia care specialists for each of the AAAs in the state.)

• Fulton County (This entity, represented by Terry Coleman, asked for funding for a behavioral health crisis center.)

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Chairman Bet Watson (R-Savannah) called the meeting to order to discuss one bill.

• SB 345, authored by Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), amends Chapter 1 of Title 50 to preemptively prohibit state and local governments from requiring COVID-19 vaccine passports to receive services or access. Changes were made to appease healthcare providers, specifically authority hospitals. The original measure was in conflict with federal guidelines relating to CMS; it would have prevented Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. After a few questions on how this impacted schools and other businesses, the measure passed along party lines, 7-4.

Senate Education and Youth Committee

Chairman Chuck Payne (R-Dalton) called the meeting to order to discuss three bills.

• SB 514, by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett) one of the Governor’s Floor Leaders, is also known as the “Unmask Georgia Students Act”. This bill amends Chapter 2 of Title 20 to allow for any public school system or public charter system that enacts a mask mandate, that parents are able to send a note for their child to opt-out of the mask requirement. Senator Dixon noted that part of child development is being able to properly communicate and develop social skills. He also mentioned that masks prohibit learning and do not provide as much protection as what was once thought.

  Senator Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) asked a few clarifying questions asking if the bill is just for mask mandates related to COVID or if this was any illness. The author mentioned this is for any illness because parents will know best. This caused a little concern regarding future disease and illness.

  Senator Lester Jackson (D-Savannah) asked if the author felt masks provide no protection. The author added that the masks that are do not have a child-sized mask that he was aware of.

  Senator Dolezal mentioned that transmission rates are different for children and that children dying from COVID was a “statistical non-event”. He continued to advocate this measure would bring the state back to “normal”.

  Senator Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta) expressed concern that this would prohibit local administrators from having flexibility. Senator Dixon, then, said that parents are better than administrators to have that flexibility.

  Senator Donzella James (D-Atlanta) referenced her own personal bout with COVID. She felt this could be a dangerous step and voiced her opposition to the bill in order to keep the children safe.

  Senator Jason Anivitarte (R-Dallas) made a note of the 2023 sunset provision.

  Senator Freddie Powell Sims (D-Albany) expressed concern for the students in the public school system that did not have active parents or guardians available to look out for their best interests.

The measure passed the committee along party lines.

• SB 452, by Senator Sheila McNeill (R-Brunswick), amends Part 12 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 to provide a scheduled SAT or ACT to 11th graders in their schools during the school day. The bill arose from a concern around transportation and financial issues for students. Senator McNeill mentioned that some students had to travel two hours to take a test. The measure also includes an opt-out provision for students if a note from a parent is provided. The discussion on this measure was cut short due, and the committee adjourned before any action could be taken.

• SB 357 was tabled until the next committee meeting.

New Legislation

The following legislation of interest has been introduced in the House:

The following legislation of interest has been introduced in the Senate:

What’s Next

The General Assembly is in adjournment on Friday and will reconvene for Legislative Day 21 on Monday, February 28 at 10 a.m.

The House is expected to consider the following propositions on Legislative Day 21:

• HB 1056 - Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund; authority to make alternative investments; repeal certain restrictions

• HB 1064 - Income tax; certain retirement income for military service; provide exemption

• HB 1182 - Local government; disposition of property acquired for lake projects do not apply if any portion of such lake was constructed; provide provisions

• HB 1219 - Georgia Board of Dentistry; revise composition

• HB 1271 - Property; covenants which infringe upon owners' right to display United States and Georgia flags; prohibit

• HB 1274 - State government; antisemitism; provide definition

• HB 1288 - State Employees' Assurance Department; assignment of certain group term life insurance benefits; provide

• HB 1294 - Property; timing of sending notice when an abandoned mobile home has been determined to be derelict; provide

• HB 1308 - Insurance; allow plan sponsor to consent on behalf of an enrollee to electronic delivery of all communication

• HB 1346 - Courts; clerks of superior courts; provide for construction

The Senate is expected to consider the following propositions on Legislative Day 21:

• SB 259 - Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices; firearms and the carrying and possession of firearms and weapons; revise various laws

• SB 319 - "Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021"; enact

• SB 479 - Firearms by Convicted Felons and First Offender Probationers; each firearm in the possession or attempted possession of certain offenders shall be charged as a separate offense; specify