LEGISLATIVE REPORT
May 16, 2025

 

In Today’s Edition:

• Education, Safety Prioritized in FY26 Budget
• New Education Laws Signed in Georgia
• Governor Kemp Signs Bills to Boost Georgia Talent
• Governor Kemp Signs Bills to Streamline Government and Enhance State Security
• Workforce Development Bills Become Law
• Other Signed Bills
• Veto Messages
• Federal News: SEVIS Reversal Brings Relief
• Federal News: Hope Amid the Headlines
• A Family Graduation to Remember at Georgia State University
• Upcoming Study Committees

 

Education, Safety Prioritized in FY26 Budget

Governor Brian Kemp Bill Signing at the Georgia State Capitol on May 9th: Photo – Georgia General Assembly.

 

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget alongside First Lady Marty Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and various state leaders, celebrating a bipartisan effort in creating a balanced and forward-looking financial plan. Kemp emphasized that the new budget addresses Georgia’s needs without expanding government or increasing long-term liabilities.

The FY26 budget includes significant investments across essential sectors such as education, healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure. Key allocations include over $300 million for K-12 enrollment and expense growth, nearly $50 million for student mental health support, $13 million to boost elementary literacy, and $267 million for higher education system growth. Additionally, the state will invest $20 million to replace aging school buses and more than $141 million to expand the Promise Scholarship Program, ensuring families have access to suitable educational opportunities. These commitments demonstrate Georgia’s focus on fostering a strong workforce, enhancing student outcomes, and promoting public well-being.

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New Education Laws Signed in Georgia

Governor Brian Kemp Bill Signing on April 28th: Photo – Georgia General Assembly.

 

Governor Brian Kemp signed seven new bills into law aimed at strengthening education quality, safeguarding school environments, and ensuring fairness in school sports across Georgia. Among the key legislations, SB 1 — a top priority for leadership — prohibits biological males and females from competing on sports teams designated for the opposite gender and requires that restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters be separated by biological sex, while HB 268 enhances school safety by mandating mobile panic alert systems, rapid transfer of student records, anonymous reporting systems, and creating new crimes for school-related terroristic threats or acts.

In addition to those measures, the following bills were also signed:
HB 81 establishes an interstate compact for school psychologists to address shortages, while 
HB 307 streamlines dyslexia screening requirements to ensure earlier intervention for students.
HB 235 provides public and postsecondary school employees the right to a leave of absence for donating bone marrow or organs, supporting employees who engage in life-saving medical contributions.
SB 82 encourages local boards of education to fairly approve charter school petitions and protects charter schools from being closed unfairly.

Further addressing student well-being, SB 123 requires school systems with high chronic absenteeism rates (10% or higher) to create attendance review teams to investigate and address the causes.

These new laws build upon previous initiatives such as school safety grants and annualized funding, demonstrating Georgia’s continued commitment to protecting students, supporting educators, and maintaining fairness in school sports and activities. Governor Kemp, alongside state leaders, emphasized that these efforts prioritize the safety, rights, and future success of Georgia’s children over political agendas.

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Governor Kemp Signs Bills to Boost Georgia Talent

Governor Brian Kemp Bill Signing at the Georgia State Capitol on May 12th: Photo – Georgia General Assembly.

 

Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by legislative leaders, signed four key bills into law to strengthen Georgia’s workforce and education pipeline, aiming to make Georgia not just the top state for business but also the “Top State for Talent.” The central measure, HB 192 (Top State for Talent Act), codifies the Georgia MATCH program and institutionalizes efforts by the Governor’s Workforce Strategy Team to better align education with workforce demands. HB 38, another major bill, extends the College Completion Grant through 2029 and lowers the degree completion threshold, making more students in the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia eligible for support to finish their degrees and enter the workforce job-ready.

Additional legislation includes HB 172 which enhances the Rural Veterinary Loan Program by increasing financial support to veterinarians working in rural areas from $80,000 over four years to $90,000 over three years.
SB 85 creates the Georgia Foster Care Scholarship Program, offering up to $30,000 annually to eligible foster and former foster youth for postsecondary education, after other aid is applied. Governor Kemp praised the bipartisan effort behind these initiatives, emphasizing their role in expanding opportunity and investing in the success of Georgia’s students and families.

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Governor Kemp Signs Bills to Streamline Government and Enhance State Security

Governor Brian Kemp Bill Signing at the Georgia State Capitol on May 9th: Photo – Georgia General Assembly.

 

Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp and members of the Georgia General Assembly, signed a series of bills into law designed to reduce government inefficiency and protect state operations from foreign influence. Among them, SB 96, sponsored by Senator Drew Echols, cuts down on government bureaucracy by eliminating inactive or duplicative state boards. Another priority bill, HB 113, sponsored by Representative Lauren McDonald, requires the Georgia Technology Authority to maintain an updated list of companies tied to foreign adversaries, ensuring state agencies avoid these entities in procurement decisions.

Governor Kemp emphasized that these laws reflect the state’s responsibility to better serve Georgians by simplifying government processes, expanding opportunity, and enhancing security. He credited the legislature for working collaboratively to pass these measures that remove barriers to services and career development while safeguarding the state’s infrastructure from outside threats.

Additional legislation signed includes HB 148, which provides two new licensure pathways for CPAs while maintaining existing standards, and clarifies practice rules for out-of-state accountants. HB 322, sponsored by Representative Lee Hawkins, simplifies regulations to further reduce government red tape. HB 579, sponsored by Representative Lauren Daniel and carried in the Senate by Senator Marty Harbin, amends outdated code sections and eliminates unnecessary reporting requirements for certain agencies and departments—another step in Kemp’s broader effort to cut waste and improve operational efficiency across Georgia’s government.

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Workforce Development Bills Become Law

Governor Brian Kemp Bill Signing at the TCSG Leadership Summit.

 

Governor Brian Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) leadership, and members of the General Assembly, signed three key bills aimed at strengthening Georgia’s workforce development during the TCSG Leadership Summit. Building on efforts to connect Georgians with career opportunities, these bills expand access to education, skills training, and career pathways across the state. HB 217 reforms and extends the Dual Achievement Program for five more years, allows the Georgia Student Finance Commission to use Department of Revenue data to verify Promise Scholarship applicants’ income, and adjusts enrollment count dates for school board elections. SB 180 expands the High Demand Apprenticeship Program to include apprenticeship sponsors, broadening access to funding for apprenticeship completions.

Additionally, SB 193 establishes an adult workforce high school diploma program within TCSG, creating opportunities for individuals aged 21 to 40 to earn a diploma and strengthen their job prospects. Governor Kemp emphasized that these new measures will help ensure Georgia continues to lead as the No. 1 state for business by preparing workers to meet the needs of a growing economy. He thanked legislative leaders and agency partners for their work in supporting Georgia’s workforce pipeline and building a strong foundation for future success.

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Other Signed Bills 

HB 94, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), would require health insurance policies in Georgia to cover standard fertility preservation services for patients undergoing medically necessary treatments for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus that may impair fertility.

HB 89, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), would require healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to share psychiatric and clinical records with Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee and establishes oversight for regional perinatal centers to improve maternal care.

HB 233, sponsored by Rep. Rick Townsend (R-Brunswick), would designate Brunswick stew as Georgia’s official state stew, cornbread as the official state bread, establishes “National Sugarcane Syrup Day,” and prohibits companies owned by foreign adversaries from bidding on state contracts.

SB 55, sponsored by Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), the “Dignity and Pay Act,” would phase out subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities in Georgia by 2027 and prohibits employers from using federal certificates to pay them less than the minimum wage.

SB 185, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), would prohibit the use of state funds for sex reassignment surgery, hormone replacement therapies, or cosmetic procedures for inmates.

 

Veto Messages

HB 380, sponsored by Rep. Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert), would dissolve the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Airport Authority. At the request of the sponsor, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed House Bill 380. 

HB 433, sponsored by Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton), would allow the Department of Human Services (“DHS”) to access the full criminal history file maintained by the Georgia Criminal Information Center (“GCIC”)—including cases resulting in acquittals, sealed files, dismissed charges, and arrests that never resulted in charges—of any prospective or existing employee or contractor of DHS, any prospective or existing foster parent, or any adult in the home of such foster parent. Separate statutes limit the information on which DHS can base any adverse employment or application decision to criminal convictions, nolo contendere pleas, and pending charges. See, e.g., Code Section 49-2-14.1. These limitations protect such individuals from being adversely treated based on charges that were dropped or never brought. There may be some circumstances in which DHS’s interest in protecting the vulnerable populations it cares for outweighs the privacy interest of the individuals on whom DHS conducts records checks. Because DHS could not take any action based on this restricted information, however, this bill would only create unnecessary invasions of privacy and risks of litigation. For the foregoing reasons, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed House Bill 433. 

HB 532, sponsored by Rep. Buddy DeLoach (R-Townsend), would allow counties with 20,000 acres or more of unimproved land owned by the Department of Natural Resources, with such land constituting ten percent or more of the taxable real property in the county, to draw on multiple grant programs concurrently. Current law allows counties to access only one grant program, as each program independently compensates the affected counties for lost property tax revenue. The state’s budget for fiscal year 2026 provides appropriations for the full value of lost property tax revenue for eligible counties without requiring any eligible county to draw on both programs. There is no reason, therefore, to allow duplicative grant payments to counties under both programs. For the foregoing reasons, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed House Bill 532. 

HB 308, sponsored by Rep. Rob Clifton (R-Evans), would, among other things, empower trial courts to order the installation of an “intelligent speed assistance device” when the registered owner of a vehicle used that vehicle to commit the offense of reckless stunt driving. While this provision is well-intentioned, as such devices could be a valuable tool for preventing street racers from becoming repeat offenders, the bill does not provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure this punishment would be consistently and effectively applied. For the foregoing reasons, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed House Bill 308. 

HB 846, sponsored by Rep. Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), would create a homestead exemption from Cherokee County ad valorem taxes in an amount dependent on revenue collected from a retail homestead option sales and use tax, contingent on the passage of legislation authorizing such a tax. Such legislation did not pass the General Assembly. As per the request of the sponsor, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed House Bill 846. 

SB 46, sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), would, among other things, require every state “department, agency, division, board, bureau, commission, authority, entity, or instrumentality” outside the University System of Georgia to designate a “lead agency service delivery official” who would report to a new “State of Georgia Government Service Delivery Lead” within the Georgia Technology Authority. The bill would also create annual reporting requirements. Such positions and requirements, even if fulfilled by existing employees, would undoubtedly create additional costs that the General Assembly failed to fund. For the foregoing reasons, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed Senate Bill 46. 

SB 238, sponsored by Sen. Tonya Anderson (D- Lithonia), changes the composition of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners from a county-wide elected chairperson and two commissioners to five commissioners elected on an at-large basis with the chairperson selected among the commission members. Rockdale County voters elected a new chairperson to serve their county commission for a four-year term on November 5, 2024. Senate Bill 238 would circumvent the will of the voters by cutting the chairperson’s four-year term short and reassigning the chair to a newly created commission seat. Such a significant overhaul of the county’s government structure deserves more thorough consideration by the Rockdale County government and the local delegation than is possible before this year’s general election. For the foregoing reasons, Governor Brian Kemp vetoed Senate Bill 238. 

 

Federal News: SEVIS Reversal Brings Relief

After weeks of disruption and confusion, the Trump administration reversed course and announced the restoration of international students’ SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records that had been wrongly terminated nationwide. The reversal comes after numerous lawsuits argued that the mass terminations—done without warning or explanation—were unconstitutional. While the decision offers relief to thousands of affected students, legal experts caution that deeper concerns remain, as the government has not guaranteed it won’t happen again. Lawsuits, including one from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, are continuing in hopes of securing lasting protections for international students.

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Federal News: Hope Amid the Headlines

Despite the turbulence in education — from funding cuts to political battles over curriculum — there’s still meaningful progress happening, especially in creating career pathways for students. Stanley Litow highlights how bipartisan efforts are helping students transition successfully from high school to college and into the workforce, even as challenges like post-pandemic recovery and policy uncertainty loom.

Programs like P-TECH schools in New York show how partnerships between education and industry are paying off, giving students real-world skills and a clear route to higher education. Amid all the noise, these initiatives offer a bright spot — a reminder that good work is still being done to support the next generation.

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A Family Graduation to Remember at Georgia State University 

Four members of the Lee family, of Austell, Ga., Rakiya, from left, Kamiya, Quila and Kalaya, graduated May 7 from Georgia State: Photography by Meg Buscema

 

This spring, Quila Lee, a seventh-grade teacher from Austell, Ga., graduated from Georgia State with a Master of Arts in Teaching — and she didn’t cross the stage alone. On May 7, she proudly joined her three daughters, Rakiya, Kamiya, and Kalaya, all earning degrees from Georgia State. The moment marks a full-circle celebration for the Lee family, 22 years after Quila earned her first master’s with her then-newborn twins by her side. Now, they’ve walked together as members of the Class of 2025.

Rakiya completed her Master of Public Administration, following up her GSU bachelor’s in criminal justice, while twins Kamiya and Kalaya earned biology degrees. Kamiya plans to pursue OB-GYN medicine, and Kalaya is on track to become a veterinarian. The milestone reflects a family legacy of perseverance, education, and shared dreams — and a powerful example of what it means to grow and achieve together.

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Upcoming Study Committees

Several House and Senate Resolutions that successfully passed during the legislative session will be the focus of continued discussion and action in the months ahead. Although the session has adjourned, these resolutions remain active topics and will be explored further outside of the session.

HR 368, sponsored by Rep. Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), would evaluate and recommend regulations on potentially intoxicating cannabinoids in consumable hemp products, consider public safety impacts, industry concerns, and assess whether excise taxes should apply to these products.

HR 659, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), would examine rising insurance premiums, limited coverage, industry profit margins, and regulatory practices, with the goal of recommending reforms to ensure fairness, transparency, and consumer protection in Georgia’s insurance market.

HR 885, sponsored by Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia), would review and recommend updates to Georgia’s election procedures and laws, with a final report due before December 1, 2025.

HR 69, sponsored by Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker), would recognize every third Thursday in April as Biomedical Research Day to honor the role of animal studies in medical advancements, acknowledge biomedical professionals, and promote education and advocacy for compassionate animal care and scientific research careers.

HR 145, sponsored by Rep. Chris Rewin (R-Homer), would urge the Departments of Education and Public Health to collaborate on expanding vision and hearing screenings at multiple grade levels to detect issues that could hinder literacy development.

HR 711, sponsored by Rep. Chris Rewin (R-Homer), would examine causes of chronic absenteeism in PreK–12, assess best practices, and recommend legislative solutions to improve attendance and engagement.

HR 887, sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), would evaluate and recommend ways to reduce or reprioritize state mandates on public school administrators to better focus efforts on improving student learning.

HR 429, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), would review Georgia’s current 9-1-1 funding system and recommend reforms to support the transition to modern, technologically advanced Next Generation 9-1-1 centers.

HR 590, sponsored by Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), would evaluate the effectiveness and future of telecommunications programs for Georgians with hearing and visual impairments and determine if legislative updates are needed to reflect modern technology and community needs.

HR 512, sponsored by Rep. Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons), would create a 13-member House Study Committee to examine the addiction crisis in Georgia and propose strategies for prevention, treatment, recovery support, and collaboration among stakeholders.

HR 592, sponsored by Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta), would examine how noncompete clauses affect physician mobility, patient care access, and healthcare outcomes in Georgia, and to consider potential legislative reforms.

HR 450, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville), would propose a constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to legalize and regulate sports betting in Georgia, directing revenue toward education (including HOPE scholarships and pre-K) and gambling addiction prevention programs.

HR 593, sponsored by Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta), would evaluate access, funding, and barriers to maternal, prenatal, and pediatric healthcare in Georgia, especially in rural areas, and to recommend legislative solutions.

HR 816, sponsored by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), would explore establishing a registry for individuals substantiated to have abused or exploited at-risk populations, such as the elderly or disabled, including a review of similar systems in other states.

HR 611, sponsored by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), would assess gaps in services for minors discharged from psychiatric or emergency hospital care, explore prevention programs for family disengagement, and recommend improvements to care coordination, state responsibilities, and funding strategies.

HR 847, sponsored by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), would assess Georgia’s public health funding, examine the structure and services of the current system, identify funding gaps, and recommend potential legislative actions to strengthen the state’s public health infrastructure.

HR 304, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Au (R-Johns Creek), would evaluate the health and economic impacts of smoking and secondhand smoke, including associated healthcare costs, Medicaid and Medicare burdens, and productivity losses.

HR 817, sponsored by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), would assess the risks and privacy concerns associated with government use of drones manufactured by foreign adversaries and to recommend appropriate regulations and intergovernmental coordination.

 

SR 427, sponsored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), would examine and recommend regulations on intoxicating cannabinoids in hemp products to protect public health while considering industry impact.

SR 216, sponsored by Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta), would examine rising pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in Georgia and assess laws, enforcement, and infrastructure investments to improve safety and accountability.

SR 217, sponsored by Sen. John F. Kennedy (R-Macon), would examine causes and solutions to chronic absenteeism in Georgia schools, aiming to reduce its impact on student achievement and long-term success.

SR 255, sponsored by Sen. Carden Summers (R-Cordele), would examine and make recommendations on reducing harmful companion animal breeding practices, such as puppy mills and illegal backyard operations, to improve animal welfare, public safety, and enforcement consistency.

SR 301, sponsored by Sen. Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro), would examine the historical significance and lasting impact of Rosenwald schools in Georgia, which educated African American children during segregation, and to explore actions to preserve their legacy.

SR 310, sponsored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), would assess and recommend additional services and resources for youth aging out of foster care to improve outcomes in education, employment, housing, and overall adult success.

SR 311, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), would evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and oversight of recovery residences in Georgia, with the goal of recommending improvements to ensure quality support for individuals recovering from addiction.

SR 323, sponsored by Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), would explore strategies for expanding and enhancing tourism across Georgia to position it as the nation’s top travel destination.

SR 386, sponsored by Sen. Colton Moore (R-Trenton), would assess the feasibility and appropriateness of implementing the FairTax model in Georgia’s state taxation system.

SR 391, sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), would examine the implications, safeguards, and opportunities related to artificial intelligence and digital currency use in Georgia.

SR 393, sponsored by Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta), would evaluate current support systems and recommend policies to enhance services for Georgia’s 1 million+ family caregivers.

SR 424, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), would evaluate franchise fee policies, particularly their impact on unincorporated areas and large electricity customers.

SR 429, sponsored by Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania), would explore reforms to Georgia’s felony disenfranchisement laws and consider restoring voting rights for individuals reintegrating into society.

SR 431, sponsored by Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Atlanta), would evaluate how social media and AI affect children’s health, safety, and privacy, and to recommend improvements to online protection laws.

SR 444, sponsored by Sen. Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta), would review Georgia’s civil rights laws, identify gaps in anti-discrimination protections, and recommend legislation to ensure equal access to employment, housing, public accommodations, and services.

SR 474, sponsored by Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), would explore solutions to rising student debt and low postsecondary completion rates, including the feasibility of a means-tested scholarship program to improve access to affordable higher education in Georgia.

SR 476, sponsored by Sen. Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta), would assess the impact of waivers granted to local school systems on educational outcomes, teacher retention, and equity, following a five-year extension of these waivers by the State Board of Education.

 

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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