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Legislative Watch

Georgia House of Representatives – 2.25.2025 Committee Meetings

By March 3, 2025No Comments

On February 25, 2025, the following Georgia House of Representatives committees met to discuss bills to potentially advance:

Select the associated links to read each bill in full.

Motor Vehicles

HB 204

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), seeks to repeal the authority of the Department of Public Safety to establish reasonable rates, fares, and charges for transportation by motor carriers of household goods. It removes any caps on fees that moving companies can charge to move household goods. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 255

This bill proposes a specialty license plate for Southern University alumni; the funds will go to the metro Atlanta chapter of the Southern University Alumni Federation of Georgia, which provides scholarships for students to attend the university. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 296

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), allows drivers to present a digital driver’s license when they are pulled over. This substitute of the original bill clarifies that certain rural areas without access to this technology will not be required to use/accept digital licenses for driver’s, hunting, and fishing licenses. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 369

This bill aims to make food and ice cream trucks safer in neighborhoods by requiring these vehicles to have flashing lights installed by January 1, 2026. They do not need an arm, but they need amber and red lights so the drivers behind can be more alert to pedestrians. 

The bill was only heard and will return to the committee at a later date. 

HB 461

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), mandates motor vehicle drivers to stop at activated crosswalks. The earlier version removed motorcycle handlebar requirements, but that change has been removed from this version of the bill.

The bill passed committee. 

HB 551

This bill aims to address the misuse of temporary operating permits (TOPs) that are on cars when they are first purchased; some criminal organizations sell these tags to be used in criminal activities. The Department of Revenue and the Used Car Board will be connected to provide the Department of Revenue access to the VIN information of any car with a TOP tag; only the department will have the driver’s personal information. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 563

This bill allows licensed doctors of physical therapy to write an affidavit for someone to acquire a disability tag; the physical therapist cannot diagnose the disability.

The bill passed committee.

HB 583

This bill allows veterans to have a second car tag in Georgia to put on a secondary vehicle. 

The author and committee members will determine the bill’s effective date and vote on the bill another day.

Higher Education

HB 56

This bill would provide tuition grants to spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and prison guards who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers include those employed by law enforcement agencies responding to any situation to save a life or preserve the peace, or preventing or attempting to prevent the commission of a crime. No person shall be eligible to receive more than $72,000 in grant assistance.

The bill was only heard and will return to the committee at a later date.

HB 88

This bill would allow academically successful students who are concurrently seeking a baccalaureate degree and a first professional degree to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility. This would expand the eligibility to include graduate degrees. Students would have to begin the next degree within 18 months of baccalaureate graduation.

The bill will be voted upon at a later date.

HB 385

This bill would allow veterinary technicians that participate in biomedical experimentation to be eligible for the state student loan forgiveness program. No more than $30,000 would be forgiven per person for life.

The bill will be voted upon at a later date.

HB 419

This bill requires the possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within the University System of Georgia. The universities are not civilly liable for potential misuse or removal of antagonists from dispensers.

The bill will be voted upon at a later date.

Small Business Development

HB 250

This bill concerns Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), which provide Human Resources and other services to small and mid-sized employers and businesses. These services include 401ks, payroll, tax remittance, and benefits. This bill, based on the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, will align what these businesses can do in Georgia with what they are doing in other states with similar legislation. 

The bill will return to the committee at a later date.

Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

HB 413

This bill, previously discussed (see HERE), seeks to amend the definition of a portable sawmill to agricultural rather than industrial; this change will occur in the current code that prevents local governments from regulating agricultural practices such as crop management and livestock animal husbandry. This bill will affect urban agriculture regarding lumber and will open another revenue stream for small farmers in urban spaces zoned for agriculture. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 495

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), seeks to move the Rural Prosperity and Innovation Center from under the University System of Georgia to the Department of Agriculture. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 331

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), aims to ban people from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits in parking lots. This bill will ban the sale of animals in parking lots, on the side of the road, and in popup flea markets unless the seller has a license through the Department of Agriculture. Animals may be given away for free at these locations but not in exchange for money. If someone is caught selling six dogs in one day, this will constitute their first, second, third, and additional offenses, and they will be fined accordingly. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 529

This is a consumer protection bill designed to stop predatory subscription services that raise prices significantly and make cancelling almost impossible. This bill will require subscription services to ask consumers before renewal whether they wish to renew.

This bill will return to the committee at a later date.

Judiciary

HB 132

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), allows municipal judges to be called in to work on as-needed basis to assist with the processing of traffic citations. The sovereign immunity portion of the bill was removed and will be included in HB 531.

The bill passed committee.

HB 270

This bill cleans up inconsistencies in Georgia Code regarding the issuance of summons. The court can currently grant and issue a summons to the sheriff, their deputy, or a lawful constable of the involved county. This bill adds the ability of the summons to be granted and issued to an approved process server.

The bill passed committee.

HB 304

This bill will create the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks’ Council. The council would help standardize the municipal courts and bring further professionalism to the courts. 

The bill passed committee.

HB 325

This bill allows a military judge to enter a military protective order against a guardsman who is an alleged perpetrator of a crime and who is now stalking the victim. The order would apply regardless of duty status. This provides the victim the same protections they would have if the perpetrator were active duty and on installation. The alleged perpetrator can offer a defense before the order is served. 

The bill passed committee

HB 379

This bill aims to address an unintended application of Georgia Code that allows attorneys to place liens on property as a way to receive compensation from divorce cases. Attorneys are allowed to place liens to ensure they receive payment for their services, but in some cases, they are using them to encumber marital property. For example, a wife is awarded their home in the court, but the husband’s attorney places a lien on the home. This forces the wife to bear the legal cost of her husband and effectively lose her reward, going against the will of the judge. This bill prohibits the lawyer involved in a divorce case from filing liens on marital property upon completion of the case.

The bill will be voted on at a later date

HB 427

This bill aims to provide additional resources to those who are having their property deeds stolen. If an individual is not the homeowner or included in the list of additional exceptions, the clerk will place a hold on the deed for 45 days when filing the deed. During that period, the clerk’s office will notify the owner on file that someone is taking their property.

The bill passed committee.

HB 530

This bill would authorize electronic filing of pleadings in probate court and would require judges to allow it or be ready to allow this change to happen by January 1, 2028.

The bill passed committee.

HB 545

The bill will standardize the process for appellants regarding from whom to request court transcripts. The current statute is unclear regarding with whom the appellant makes requests for transcripts; in some courts, these requests are made with the judge’s staff attorneys or staff members. 

The bill passed committee.

HB 555

The bill would prohibit business enterprises from owning an interest in more than 2,000 single-family residential properties or ten multi-family residential properties. The state Attorney General’s office will have authority to pursue a private cause of action when businesses do not complying with the limits. Homes that are purchased or leased unlawfully according to this bill would be available for public sale, and rental payments associated with a lawful lease can be returned. 

The bill will be voted on at a later date.

Regulated Industries

HB 251

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), allows certified registered nurses (CRNAs) to administer anesthesia under direction from anesthesiologists. This bill intends to alleviate the shortage of anesthesiologists in rural Georgia communities. 

The bill did not pass committee due to fears that this will lower standards of healthcare in Georgia.

State Planning and Community Affairs

HB 486

This bill will make Incheon, South Korea, a sister city state with Georgia. Georgia has the third largest Korean population in the United States and is the home of many Korean businesses. This bill intends to be a step for Georgia to let South Koreans know that our state is grateful for the partnership and businesses. Incheon is a major port city in South Korea and also has an international airport that is one of the busiest and most advanced airports in the world. 

The bill passed committee. 

HB 516

This bill will allow county and regional library boards to conduct meetings through teleconferencing; current law only allows statewide agencies to meet remotely. This bill intends to address the issue of recruiting library trustees, as this issue has been exacerbated due to the traveling distances required for in-person meetings. 

The bill passed committee. 

State Properties

HB 303

This bill seeks to create a memorial for the Original 33—the first 33 African Americans elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1868, who were the first Black legislators in the state and who were expelled from the Assembly. This bill seeks to honor them and the suffering they endured for attempting to integrate the Georgia General Assembly. 

The bill passed committee.

Insurance

HB 170

This bill requires insurers to provide payment for a healthcare provider’s services within 30 days of receiving a written request from that provider.

The bill passed committee. 

HB 420

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), requires the state health insurance plan to extend coverage for genetic testing for inherited mutations, including cancer. 

The bill passed committee.

HB 422

This bill aims to change rules around high-deductible insurance plans. Currently, individuals who use this plan have to facilitate their high-deductible savings account, and those funds are not pre-tax. This bill will make Health Savings Accounts pre-tax.

The bill passed committee. 

HB 373

This bill seeks to amend the official Georgia code to help save the lives of men between 40 and 49 years old. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer for men in Georgia. This bill seeks to require insurance companies to allow men between the ages of 40 and 49 who have a history of family prostate cancer or whose doctor has said they need more comprehensive screening to receive tests for prostate cancer.

The bill passed committee. 

SB 5

This bill relates to prior authorization, which insurance companies require before approving medical procedures, medications, and diagnostic imaging. In recent years, some carriers have developed Gold Card programs that essentially fast track providers who consistently adhere to evidence-based medicine, allowing these requests to be approved most of the time. This bill requires health insurers that use prior authorization to have such a program and provide the criteria to the Department of Insurance. The effective date will be January 1, 2026, and the first filing will be due July 1, 2026. 

 The bill passed committee. 

Intragovernmental Coordination

SB 138

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), is narrowly tailored to the city of Mulberry in Gwinnett County regarding the service delivery and intergovernmental agreements between the city and the county. This bill would force Gwinnett County to cooperate with the transition statue.

The bill passed committee.

Governmental Affairs

HB 62

This bill introduces a comprehensive framework by which to regulate homeowners’ association and the condominium associations in Georgia. It aims to establish fairness and transparency and enforce the governance structures within these associations. One key provision is that board members must be residents of the community by home ownership. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual election process for board members and establishes clear voting standards of one vote per unit, preventing disproportionate influence by larger property owners. 

HB 62 also empowers the Secretary of State’s office to oversee HOA elections’ certified results and investigate disputes. Ballots must be kept for public inspection.

Failure to comply will result in administrative suspension.

The bill will return to committee at a later date. 

HB 299

This bill seeks to allow local municipalities to implement low rent control measures to stabilize rent prices and protect tenants from excessive increases.

The bill will return to committee at a later date.

HB 305

This bill would limit the number of single-family homes that a corporation or investment trust could purchase to 25 homes or a total net value of all assets of roughly $6 million in a single county. 

The bill will return to committee at a later date.

HB 399

This bill requires rental companies in Georgia to have an in-state representative physically located in Georgia who will receive complaints as well as manage and implement corrections to those complaints. 

The bill will return to committee at a later date.

HB 416

This bill intends to create an Enterprise Zone, which are locations that have been chronically underdeveloped for 20 years or more and in which there is a proposed redevelopment project with a minimum of $400 million capital investment.

The bill passed committee.

Retirement

HB 406

This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), would raise the retirement age from superior court judges from 60 to 65. The bill was restructured to change how this is accomplished, but ultimately it accomplishes the same goal.

The bill passed committee.