LEGISLATIVE REPORT
February 28, 2025

In Today’s Edition:

• Senate Passes FY 2025 Amended Budget
• Federal News: Congressman Rick Allen Introduces Workforce & Literacy Reforms
• Legislation Tracker
• GLIP Intern Spotlight: Q&A with Kristen Tran
• Upcoming Events: Legislative Calendar

Senate Passes FY 2025 Amended Budget

Georgia Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, presents HB 67 to the Senate, at the Georgia State Capitol. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

This week, the Senate passed HB 67, the Amended FY 2025 budget, by a vote of 55-1 vote. The amended budget totals $40.5 billion, reflecting a $4.4 billion increase—12.2% more than the original FY 2025 budget adopted last year. A key focus of the amended budget is bolstering relief efforts for Hurricane Helene. The Senate’s version enhances funding by an additional $50 million beyond the House’s earlier proposal, allocating $100 million each for low-interest loans to farmers and timber cleanup on private lands. With these additions, Georgia’s total expected expenditure on hurricane relief now surpasses $850 million.

Of particular interest to Georgia State University and the University System of Georgia (USG), the amended budget designates $10 million in one-time funds for major repairs and rehabilitation of USG properties across the state. Additionally, the Senate’s proposal includes $1 billion for Governor Kemp’s income tax refund initiative. Under this plan, individuals and married couples filing separately would receive a one-time refund of up to $250, heads of household up to $375, and married couples filing jointly up to $500.

With both chambers now having weighed in, the House and Senate will convene a conference committee to reconcile any differences before finalizing the budget.

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Federal News: Congressman Rick Allen Introduces Workforce & Literacy Reforms

Congressman Rick W. Allen introduced the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act to promote skills-based hiring. The bill updates workforce policies to recognize prior learning from work, military service, and education. It aims to help job seekers gain industry-recognized certifications and reduce reliance on college degrees. Allen emphasizes modern hiring should focus on skills, ensuring more opportunities for qualified candidates.

Congressman Rick W. Allen also introduced a resolution to designate March 2025 as “National March into Literacy Month.” He emphasized the importance of early childhood reading proficiency for long-term academic success. The initiative aims to raise awareness and promote literacy efforts nationwide.

Legislation Tracker

Riley Gaines Act
HB 267, sponsored by Rep. Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), would establish requirements for public schools and postsecondary institutions in Georgia to designate restrooms, changing areas, sleeping arrangements on school trips, and athletic teams based on biological sex, defined by reproductive anatomy. Prohibits males from participating in female-designated sports and mandates sex designation on vital records. The bill passed the House by a vote of 102-54 and has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

State Government Procurement Restrictions
HB 113, sponsored by Rep. Lauren McDonald III (R-Cumming), would prohibit state agencies from purchasing goods from designated foreign entities deemed security risks, mandates the Georgia Technology Authority to maintain a restricted goods list, enforces penalties for violations, and repeals prior provisions related to contracting with China. The bill passed the House by a vote of 148-17 and has been assigned to the Senate  Government Oversight Committee.

Nurse Practitioners & PAs Performing Artificial Insemination
HB 329, sponsored by Rep. Scott Hilton 
(R-Peachtree Corners), would authorize certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants, under physician supervision, to perform artificial insemination in Georgia. The bill passed the House by a vote of 167-0 and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.

Film & Gaming Tax Credit Update
HB 475, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), would revise tax credit definitions for film, gaming, and digital production, updates regulations, authorizes certification fees, and requires companies to pay court costs if certification denial is upheld on appeal. The bill passed the House by a vote of 161-2 and now crosses over to the Senate.

Distraction-Free Education Act
HB 340, sponsored by Rep. Scott Hilton
(R-Peachtree Corners), would require K-8 schools to implement policies restricting personal electronic device use during school hours to minimize distractions, improve learning, and establish clear storage and communication protocols. The bill passed the House Education Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

Opioid Antagonists in Higher Education
HB 419, sponsored by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), would require University System of Georgia and Technical College System institutions to stock and maintain opioid antagonists, train personnel for emergency administration, and ensure legal immunity for responders, contingent on community funding sources. The bill was heard before the House Higher Education Committee, but no votes were taken.

Healthcare Professional Rehabilitation Program
HB 219, sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), would authorize the establishment of a professional health program to monitor and rehabilitate impaired healthcare professionals, ensuring patient safety while allowing funding through public and private sources. The bill passed the House Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

Nurses & PAs Can Order Home Care
HB 54, sponsored by Rep. David Clark
(R-Buford), would authorize advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to order home healthcare services, expands their role in patient care, and includes provisions for continuing education on death certificates. The bill passed the House Health Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

Hospital Nurse Staffing Requirements
HB 298, sponsored by Rep. Trey Kelley
(R-Cedartown), would mandate hospitals to establish written nurse staffing plans, form nurse staffing committees, report staffing data annually, and allow anonymous reporting of unsafe conditions to improve patient care and workforce conditions. The bill passed the House Health Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

Education Grants for Spouses of Fallen or Disabled First Responders
HB 56, sponsored by Rep. Jesse Petrea
(R-Savannah), would provide tuition grants of up to $18,000 per year for spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and prison guards who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, expanding eligibility and increasing maximum award amounts. The bill passed the House Higher Education Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

Ban on DEI Programs in Education
SB 120, sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), would prohibit public schools, local education agencies, and public postsecondary institutions from promoting, supporting, or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, with penalties including the withholding of state and federally administered funds. The bill was heard before the Senate Higher Education Committee, but no votes were taken.

Sports Betting & Casino Regulation
SR 131, sponsored by Sen. Carden Summers  (R-Cordele), would propose a constitutional amendment allowing the Georgia General Assembly to regulate and tax sports betting and casino gambling, with revenues allocated to counties and addiction prevention programs. The resolution failed the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee.

Georgia Sports Betting Regulation and Taxation Act
SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), would legalize and regulate online sports betting in Georgia under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. It establishes licensing requirements, consumer protections, tax provisions, and responsible gambling measures. Assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee.

Expansion of Student Vision and Hearing Screenings
HR 145, sponsored by Rep. Chris Erwin
(R-Homer), would  urge the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health to collaborate on expanding vision and hearing screenings at key grade levels to identify and address issues that may hinder literacy development. The resolution passed the House Education Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

Revisions to Georgia’s Compulsory School Attendance Laws
SB 123, sponsored by Sen. John F. Kennedy (R-Macon), would update Georgia’s compulsory school attendance laws by prohibiting expulsion solely due to absenteeism, requiring school attendance committees to meet and adopt protocols for chronic absenteeism, mandating intervention plans, expanding excused absences for military-related activities, and implementing reporting requirements for compliance and absentee rates. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 54-0 and has been assigned to the House Education Committee.

Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act
HB 108, sponsored by Rep. Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), would establish protections for veterans applying for benefits by regulating compensation for assistance, prohibiting misleading claims, requiring disclosures, banning certain business practices, mandating background checks for employees handling veterans’ data, and classifying violations as deceptive trade practices. The bill passed the House by a vote of 158-10 and has been assigned to the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

Support for At-Risk and Dyslexic Students
HB 307, sponsored by Rep. Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), would enhance the Quality Basic Education Act by implementing support plans for students at risk of reading deficiencies or with characteristics of dyslexia, prohibiting certain instructional methods, and requiring annual reporting on literacy progress. The bill passed the House by a vote of 166-0 and now crosses over to the Senate.

Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation
HB 495, sponsored by Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), would repeals the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation under the University System of Georgia and transfers its operations to the Department of Agriculture, establishing oversight by the Georgia Rural Development Council. The bill passed the House by a vote of 167-10 and has crossed over to the Senate.

Military Retirement Tax Exemption
SB 31, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal 
(R-Cumming), would exempt all military retirement income from state income tax in Georgia, providing financial relief for veterans and reservists starting in the 2026 tax year. The bill passed the Senate Finance Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee. 

Georgia Music Office Act
SB 182, sponsored by Sen. Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta), would establish the Georgia Music Office to promote the state’s music industry, support economic development, and certify “Music Friendly” communities through marketing and strategic initiatives. The bill passed the Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee. 

Georgia Promise Scholarship for Foster Families
SB 152, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), would expand eligibility for Georgia Promise Scholarships to the biological or adopted children of foster parents who meet specific conditions, allowing them to qualify for education savings accounts. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 32-22 and now crosses over to the House.

Physical Therapists Certify Disability for Decals
HB 563, sponsored by Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain),  would  allow licensed physical therapists to certify individuals as disabled for the purpose of obtaining special vehicle decals. The bill passed the House Motor Vehicles Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.    

Adult Workforce High School Diploma Program
SB 193, sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan), would authorize the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to establish an adult workforce high school diploma program with third-party providers. The bill passed the Senate Higher Education Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee. 

Expanded HOPE Scholarship Eligibility for Graduate Students
HB 385, sponsored by Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta), would allow academically successful students pursuing both a baccalaureate and first professional degree concurrently, or those entering a graduate program within 18 months of earning a bachelor’s degree, to use the full number of HOPE scholarship hours, with reductions for prior dual enrollment credits. The bill passed the House Higher Education Committee, and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee. 

AI Accountability Act
SB 37, sponsored by Sen. John Albers
(R-Roswell), would require all governmental entities to develop AI system usage plans and establishes the Georgia Board for Artificial Intelligence to provide oversight and guidance. The bill was heard before the Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee, but no votes were taken.

AI Fairness in Commerce Act
SB 167, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Merritt (D-Grayson), would require private entities using AI systems in consequential decisions to prevent discrimination, mandates transparency and consumer disclosures, and authorizes enforcement by the Attorney General. The bill was heard before the Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee, but no votes were taken.

CRNAs Administer Anesthesia Independently
HB 251, sponsored by Rep. Lauren McDonald III (R-Cumming), would allow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to order and administer anesthesia under physician coordination while limiting physician liability. The bill failed the House Regulated Industries Committee.

Denial of State Education Funds for Disruptive Conduct
HB 602, sponsored by Rep. Tim Fleming (R-Covington), would deny state-funded loans, grants, and scholarships for two academic years to students convicted of a crime or found guilty of materially disruptive conduct on campus. The bill was heard before the House Higher Education Committee, but no vote was taken.

Georgia Nicotine Vapor Products Directory
HB 577, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines  (R-Athens), would establish a directory of authorized nicotine vapor products, prohibiting the sale of any unlisted products and enforcing compliance through penalties and product seizures. Assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee.

GLIP Intern Spotlight: Q&A with Kristen Tran

Q: Where is your hometown? 
A: I was born and raised in Duluth, GA.

Q: What is your major? 
A: I am currently in my third year at Georgia State University majoring in Political Science with a Concentration in Pre-Law.

Q: Who inspires you most in the world, and why do they inspire you?
A: My mom and dad are my true inspiration and motivation to work hard. They both immigrated here from Vietnam not speaking an ounce of English and yet they worked tirelessly day and night to be able to provide a good, comfortable life for my siblings and me. I remember days I would hardly see either of them because they were going in early or working late at night. Their sacrifices are what drive me to work hard and make something out of myself and to let them know their sacrifices were not in vain. My ultimate goal is to let them retire and live out the rest of their lives happily and provide them with everything they have ever wanted. 

Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to? 
A: I am assigned to the Judiciary Committee with Representative/Chairman Stan Gunter of the 8th district.

Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern? 
A: Every day is not the same, some days are busier and hectic than others. My duties include answering constituent calls, dropping off/ picking up paperwork, filling out documents, sending emails, setting up committee folders, and restocking the fridge and snack bar.

Q: What do you hope to gain from the Georgia Legislative Intern Program?
A: I hope to gain a better understanding of the legislative process away from a classroom environment. This is also a great opportunity for me to develop and improve my skills in research, writing techniques, and constituent engagement. I also hope to network and build relationships with constituents and peers that could potentially open doors to opportunities for my future career. Lastly, I hope to grow as a person to better understand my strengths and weaknesses and set a goal for my future career path.

Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans? 
A: This experience will just solidify my plans for attending law school, becoming an attorney, and ultimately holding public office. I knew from a young age I wanted to help others who did not feel seen or heard. My plan allows me to start from the very bottom and work my way to the top, so I can gain a better understanding of every step and appreciate the roles and perspectives of everyone involved. This opportunity will allow me to experience working alongside elected officials and seeing the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a government.

Q: If you could use one word to describe your experience at the Georgia Legislative Internship Program thus far, what would that word be, and why?
A: If I could use one word to describe this internship, I would say “unreal.” I am growing as a person and learning new skills. Every day I meet someone new and learn more about the legislative process through a different lens. I have the opportunity to meet and get to know legislators and form my own opinions rather than hear about them through articles or news broadcasts. I can’t wait to see what is in store for this session.

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Upcoming Events 

 Monday, March 3, 2025

• Legislative Day 26

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

• Legislative Day 27

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

• Committee Work Day

Thursday, March 6, 2025

• Legislative Day 28 (Crossover Day)

Helpful Links
Information on legislative activities including bills and resolutions as well as webcasts of daily sessions in both chambers and committee meetings are available via the General Assembly website at www.legis.ga.gov.

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