On March 19, 2025, the following Georgia State Senate committees met to discuss bills to potentially advance:
- Regulated Industries and Utilities voted on HB 148 and heard both HB 577 and HB 449
- Judiciary voted on HB 85, HB 327, HB 530, HB 222, HB 177, HB 325, HB 384, and HB 535
- Natural Resources and the Environment voted on HB 143, HB 115, HB 444, HB 432, HB 491, and HB 351
- State and Local Governmental Operations voted on HB 516, HB 309, HB 513, and HB 647
- Transportation heard HB 205 and voted on HB 575, HB 551, HB 114, and HB 116
- Public Safety voted on HB 208 and heard both HB 77 and HB 61
- Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security voted on HB 53 and HB 108
- Agriculture and Consumer Affairs heard HB 413 and HB 529
- Finance heard HB 79 and voted on HB 652, HB 445, HB 153, HB 134, and HB 144
- Health and Human Services voted on HB 471, HB 428, HB 154, HB 567, and HB 291
- Insurance and Labor voted on HB 94 and HB 196
Select the associated links to read each bill in full.
Regulated Industries and Utilities
HB 148
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), aims to open additional pathways to allow qualified individuals to become CPAs. Under this bill, individuals may have four years of school and two years of experience (signed off by a CPA) or receive a master’s degree in the field as alternate ways to become a CPA.
The bill passed committee.
HB 577
This bill will regulate the sale and distribution of nicotine vapor products. It establishes a directory for businesses involved in the sale of these products, requiring them to register with the state. The bill includes measures to prevent the sale of nicotine vapor products to minors, sets requirements for retailers, and outlines penalties for non-compliance with the rules. The legislation aims to create a framework to better control the marketing and sale of vaping products, ensuring they are sold legally and safely in Georgia.
The bill will return to committee at a later date.
HB 449
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), allows the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to oversee any rate change equal to a 15% increase and will require a public hearing for the affected communities to determine whether the increase is just and reasonable.
The bill will return to committee at a later date.
Judiciary
HB 85
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), reforms the structure of compensation for state superior judges. Most judges will not see a change in pay, as the structure is designed to make pay more uniform across the state. The bill also sets a cap tied to the Northern District and lowers the amount of locality supplements judges can receive as they reach that cap.
The bill passed committee.
HB 327
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), amends certain fiduciary laws passed within the past 20 years to conform to the original code revisions and to make reforms based on the recommendation of lawyers who practice fiduciary law in Georgia.
The bill passed committee.
HB 530
This bill would authorize electronic filing of pleadings in probate court and would require judges to allow or be ready to allow this change to happen by January 1, 2028.
The bill passed committee.
HB 222
This bill aims to enhance communication between the courts and individuals regarding their bonds.
The bill passed committee.
HB 177
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), allows judges to add pets to the temporary protective orders so that victims of domestic violence, including children, can keep their family pets with them during this process.
The bill passed committee.
HB 325
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), 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 bill passed committee.
HB 384
This bill standardizes the oath of office taken by peace officers throughout Georgia.
The bill passed committee.
HB 535
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), aims to fix an inconsistency in how time served is calculated. If an individual’s probation is revoked, the court may order the execution of the sentence originally imposed or of any portion thereof.
The bill passed committee.
Natural Resources and the Environment
HB 143
This bill focuses on water resources, specifically requiring the use of water-measuring devices for agricultural use of both surface and groundwater. The bill aims to track and monitor the amount of water used for farming purposes, likely to promote water conservation and more efficient management of water resources in agricultural operations.
The bill passed committee.
HB 115
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), aims to deter people from abandoning vessels by creating criminal penalties for such action. Under this bill, the first offense would be a misdemeanor of aggravated nature, and the second offense would be a felony.
The bill passed committee.
HB 444
This bill designates April of each year as “Georgia Native Plant Month.” This designation aims to recognize and celebrate the importance of native plants in Georgia’s ecosystem. It emphasizes the need for awareness and conservation of native plant species in the state. The bill encourages educational and promotional activities to highlight the benefits and significance of Georgia’s native plants.
The bill passed committee.
HB 432
This bill aims to create a $10 stamp to fund research projects, reforestation, and any further education on wild turkeys to ensure they do not go extinct in Georgia.
The bill passed committee.
HB 491
This bill extends the sunset clause on previously passed legislation that allows individuals to hunt wildlife with air guns and air bows. The sunset clause was originally for 2025 and has been extended to 2030.
The bill passed committee.
HB 351
This bill amends the powers of the Board of Natural Resources. The board may adopt, promulgate, modify, amend, and repeal rules and regulations to implement and enforce provisions deemed necessary to control and manage solid waste to protect the environment and the health of humans. These rules can vary by area based on the characteristics of the solid waste.
The bill passed committee.
State and Local Governmental Operations
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. The bill was amended in committee to ensure that at least 50% of the members of the boards are present in person.
The bill passed committee.
HB 309
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), would allow a city to abolish a county police department by way of a vote by its citizens.
The bill passed committee.
HB 513
This bill relates to counties’ service delivery strategy; every 10 years, the counties must come to an agreement with the municipalities within the counties.
The bill passed committee.
HB 647
This bill annexes 45 parcels of land into the City of Mulberry. The change would allow the city to have local control over a set of mixed use residential dwellings, commercial properties, and undeveloped land.
The bill passed committee.
Transportation
HB 575
This bill ensures transportation development plans requiring Department of Transportation authorizations will have a public hearing. These hearings must be announced electronically.
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 205
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), requires the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to work with the Department of Administrative Services to compile and maintain a list of drones that are determined to be secure against this hacking threat. The list will also include devices cleared by the Department of Defense.
The bill also requires state and local agencies to purchase drones only from this list and to remove all other drones by 2028.
The bill will return to committee at a later date.
HB 114
This bill updates the motor care compliance division on hazardous materials guidelines to meet federal requirements. The update solely pertains to changing the year currently written in the code to reflect the current year.
The bill passed committee.
HB 116
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), proposes a change in the name of the Motor Care Compliance Division (MCCD) to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and will establish that officers working in this division will be trained, sworn, and certified as law enforcement officers.
The bill passed committee.
Public Safety
HB 208
This bill, previously discussed (see HERE), creates specialty license plates to benefit the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; to support the state parks and historic sites division of the Department of Natural Resources; to promote conservation and enhancement of black bass populations; and to honor the Shepherd Center, Southern University Alumni, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and alumni of Alabama State University.
The bill passed committee.
HB 77
This bill pertains to funeral processions: on rural roads, oncoming traffic must pull over until the funeral procession passes. Additionally, there must be flashing lights at the beginning and the end of the procession; the goal is to ensure the safety of the deputies leading the procession.
The bill will return to committee at a later date.
HB 61
This bill began as a way to authorize separate license plates for, as evidenced by the associated link and the “past version” PDF on that page. It has now been replaced entirely by HB 183, which does not seem to have passed committee according to the “status history” provided on that page.
Testimony in the committee meeting opposed this legislation. This is a zombie bill designed to allow property owners to abuse the process to remove individuals lodging on the property, including families residing in extended-stay hotels. Families can be taken advantage of via Craigslist ads in which someone advertised a place for rent and had the families sign a fake lease; the property owner could immediately evict the families without notice, allowing these families to then be prosecuted for criminal trespass as squatters. This new HB 61 states that the property owner and the police will not be liable for any damage or loss to these families’ belongings. The lawful property owner may detain the alleged squatters.
HB 183 was tabled unanimously. The sponsor has substituted HB 61 for HB 183 in an effort to get this bill onto the floor despite the House committee’s disapproval.
This bill will return to committee at a later date.
Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security
HB 53
This legislation makes all members of the Reserve forces and National Guard eligible to be buried in the state cemetery. The state does not pay for the burial; the servicemember’s family will cover the cost, which is the same rate that the VA reimburses.
The bill passed committee.
HB 108
This bill, previously discussed (see HERE), regulates for-profit companies that charge veterans a predatory fee to help them assemble their packets to receive their benefits. This practice is already outlawed under federal law, but that law has no teeth to penalize so adds new guard rails to the industry.
The bill passed committee.
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
HB 413
This bill seeks to amend the definition of a portable sawmill to agricultural rather than industrial. 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 will return to committee at a later date.
HB 529
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), is a consumer protection bill designed to stop predatory subscription services that raise prices significantly and make cancelling almost impossible.
The bill will return to committee at a later date.
Finance
HB 652
This bill proposes to apply the motor fuel tax to electricity delivered by certain electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This means that electricity used to charge electric vehicles at these specific charging stations would be subject to the same taxes as motor fuel.
The bill passed committee.
HB 445
This bill revises the appeal process for ad valorem taxation of property. Under this bill, citizens with property value in excess of $200,000 could choose to go straight to a hearing with the superior court instead of the county Board of Equalization.
The bill passed committee.
HB 153
This bill ensures concrete trucks are included in the manufacturing tax credit and extends the sunset period from June 30, 2026, to 2031.
The bill passed committee.
HB 134
This bill aims to provide a 50% tax credit on manufactured homes once the owner files it as a permanent home on a property.
The bill passed committee.
HB 144
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), adds dental students to medical preceptor rotations in their third and fourth years, aligning dental students to the standards of other medical students. This allows the students to receive tax breaks for their education.
The bill passed committee.
HB 79
This bill provides a tax credit for purchasing firearms secure handling and storage. A sales tax exemption was added to the bill for a period of four days in October each year and it sunsets in 2030.
The bill will return to committee at a later date.
Health and Human Services
HB 471
This bill requires hospitals to present new mothers with a water safety video—prepared by the Department of Community Health in collaboration with Every Child Foundation—prior to being discharged. This is no cost to the state and is intended to save the lives of young children who die from drowning every year.
The bill passed committee.
HB 428
This bill codifies the right to in vitro fertilization for individuals in Georgia.
The bill passed committee.
HB 154
This bill designates EMS as an essential service. EMS workers are the only emergency public safety employees of the state who are not considered essential although they regularly work alongside firefighters and law enforcement. This bill seeks to change that and designate public and private providers of emergency pre-hospital services as essential critical support by the state of Georgia, thereby removing red tape for funding.
The bill passed committee.
HB 567
This bill would authorize and regulate the practice of teledentristry in Georgia. The goal is to create a network of dentists within Georgia that allows providers to share workforces and gives Georgians better access to oral health care. Teledentristy can be the beginning of establishing a relationship with a dentist or give initial impressions of care that is needed. Dentists do not have to adopt this practice.
The bill passed committee.
HB 291
This bill, discussed previously (see HERE), establishes a foundation and structure for community healthcare workers. It would identify who is qualified to be a community healthcare worker and what they can do. Standards and consistent training would be established to certify competency of these workers. The result of this bill would be an increase in the number of healthcare workers especially in rural and underserved areas.
The bill passed committee.
Insurance and Labor
HB 94
This bill would provide private sector insurance coverage for costs associated with the harvesting and storage for up to one year of certain biological tissues necessary for future in vitro fertilization for individuals diagnosed with cancer, lupus, or sickle cell disease. This does not cover the cost of in vitro fertilization.
The bill passed committee.
HB 196
This bill would require that drugs dispensed to a covered person for self-administration under a state health plan be reimbursed using a transparent, index-based price, plus a dispensing fee. This will save money for the state especially for specialty drugs.
The bill passed committee.
