Lawmakers were back at the Gold Dome this week for four more days of the legislative session, while pausing on Tuesday for a committee work day. We now have just three legislative days until Crossover Day, when bills must pass out of their respective chambers to survive.
Here is a recap of what happened this week:
- The Senate adopted a record $40.5 billion mid-year state budget that prioritizes disaster relief, infrastructure needs and improving Georgia’s prisons. More details can be found here. After the Senate’s changes, it will now go back to the House.
- The Senate approved the Red Tape Roll Back Act of 2025. Senate Bill 28, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, would require state agencies to perform top-to-bottom reviews of their rules and regulations every four years, direct state agencies to reduce compliance and paperwork burdens on small businesses and require agencies to provide an economic impact analysis to the General Assembly for proposed rules that are estimated to cost over $1 million over five years.
- The Senate advanced their second bill to curb lawsuit abuse this week. SB 69, sponsored by Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, would regulate third party litigation financing with the hope of limiting outside influence on trials, which includes that from foreign governments, and predatory lending practices. The Foundation released a new video on third party financing this week.
- On the issue of tort reform, the House created a Subcommittee of Rules on Lawsuit Reform. It will be chaired by Rep. Rob Leverett, R-Elberton. “The House is committed to working alongside Governor Brian Kemp to pass meaningful, substantive legal reform this session,” Speaker Jon Burns said.
- The Foundation’s Chris Denson testified in support of SB 142, sponsored by Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain, which would establish a pathway for international medical school graduates to obtain medical licensure in Georgia. The bill advanced out of committee and heads to the full Senate for consideration.
- The Foundation also testified in support of House Bill 328, sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, which would increase the annual tax credits available for the state’s tax credit scholarship program from $120 million per year to $200 million. Carpenter noted the program is regularly oversubscribed on day one each year. No action was taken at that time.
- The Senate advanced legislation that would allow children of foster parents to qualify for the Georgia Promise Scholarship program. SB 152 is sponsored by Sen. Dolezal.
- The Senate adopted legislation designed to combat absenteeism in schools. SB 123, sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, would establish a localized approach, working with families, administrators and those identified as chronically absent when reviewing individual cases. Additionally, the bill would require local boards of education to implement policies for identifying and intervening with chronically absent students, ensuring a focus on the root causes of their absences.
- Legislation to prohibit the use of cell phones by students through eighth grade cleared the House Education Committee. HB 340, known as the Distraction-Free Education Act, is sponsored by Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners.
- And for those who are hungry right now, we turn your attention to a couple of lighthearted bills that we can get behind. This week the House adopted HB 14, sponsored by Rep. Carpenter, that would designate cornbread as the official bread of Georgia, and HB 233, sponsored by Rep. Rick Townsend, R-Brunswick, which would designate Brunswick stew as the official stew of Georgia.
Lawmakers will return for Legislative Day 26 on Monday.
