Citizen Whip Report Legislative Day 34
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In addition to these bills, the Senate is likely to take up the Governor’s tort reform legislation.
Senate Bills
HB 58: Aviation; Restriction on Drone Flights at Entertainment Events
- Primary Sponsor: Richardson-125th
- Committee Assignment: Transportation (TRANS-6th)
- Summary: Prohibits unmanned aircraft systems (drones) from operating within 400 feet of or above ticketed entertainment events to enhance public safety.
- Definitions & Key Terms:
- Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS): Powered aerial vehicles operated without direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft; excludes satellites.
- Ticketed Entertainment Event: Music, sports, or performing arts events in locations with controlled access requiring a paid ticket.
- New Requirements or Changes:
- Illegal to operate drones within specified proximity of ticketed entertainment events unless operator meets specific exceptions (obtained consent, authorized federally, or employed by event venue or utility provider conducting official business).
- Who is Affected & How:
- Drone operators must observe new restrictions, event venues gain protections against unauthorized drone operations, enhancing attendee safety.
- Penalties & Enforcement:
- Violation constitutes a misdemeanor, enforced by law enforcement authorities.
- Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective immediately upon Governor’s approval or upon becoming law without signature
HB 159: Georgia Housing and Finance Authority; Bond Limit Increase
- Primary Sponsor: Crowe-118th
- Committee Assignment: Economic Development and Tourism (ED&T-49th)
- Summary: Increases the authorized bond limit for Georgia Housing and Finance Authority’s single-family residential housing program from $3 billion to $6 billion.
- Definitions & Key Terms:
- Outstanding Bonds: Unpaid principal amount of bonds issued for financing projects.
- New Requirements or Changes:
- Doubles current outstanding bond limit from $3 billion to $6 billion for residential housing programs, allowing more projects to receive funding.
- Who is Affected & How:
- Georgia Housing and Finance Authority, potential homeowners, developers; increased availability of affordable housing project financing.
- Penalties & Enforcement:
- Not applicable; financial administrative measure.
- Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective immediately upon Governor’s approval or becoming law without signature
HB 266: Income Tax; Exemption for Military Retirement Benefits
- Primary Sponsor: Sainz-180th
- Committee Assignment: Finance (FIN-27th)
- Summary: Exempts from Georgia state income tax all retirement benefits from service in the U.S. armed forces or reserve components.
- Definitions & Key Terms:
- Retirement Benefits: Income derived from military service retirement.
- New Requirements or Changes:
- Removes existing caps ($17,500 exemption limit) to provide a full exemption on military retirement income.
- Who is Affected & How:
- Military retirees residing in Georgia will benefit from reduced state income taxes on retirement benefits.
- Penalties & Enforcement:
- Standard tax compliance and enforcement procedures apply.
- Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective July 1, 2025, applicable to taxable years starting January 1
HB 331: Animals; Prohibition on Animal Transfer at Certain Locations
- Primary Sponsor: Camp-135th
- Committee Assignment: Agriculture and Consumer Affairs (AG&CA-24th)
- Summary: Prohibits the transfer (sale, barter, adoption) of dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits in public outdoor locations like roadsides, parking lots, parks, and flea markets to promote animal welfare and regulate pet transactions.
- Definitions & Key Terms:
- Transfer: Exchange of specified animals for anything of value.
- New Requirements or Changes:
- Transfers must occur at approved locations like shelters, private residences, veterinarian offices, sanctioned events, or law enforcement facilities during daylight.
- Who is Affected & How:
- Pet sellers and adopters must use compliant locations; animal welfare improves; informal sales restricted.
- Penalties & Enforcement:
- 1st offense: up to $100 fine; 2nd offense: up to $250 fine; 3rd+ offense: up to $500 fine. Enforced by animal control or peace officers.
- Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective immediately upon Governor’s approval or becoming law without signature
HB 426: Courts; Nonpartisan Election of Magistrate Judges
- Primary Sponsor: New-40th
- Committee Assignment: Ethics (ETHICS-25th)
- Summary: Establishes nonpartisan elections for magistrate judges, removing party affiliation from ballots to ensure judicial impartiality.
- Definitions & Key Terms:
- Nonpartisan Election: Elections where candidate names appear without party designations.
- New Requirements or Changes:
- Chief magistrates elected in nonpartisan elections; local partisan election laws for magistrates become unenforceable post-July 1, 2025.
- Who is Affected & How:
- Magistrate judge candidates run without party labels; voters choose based on candidate qualifications rather than partisan affiliations.
- Penalties & Enforcement:
- Not applicable; pertains to election methods.
- Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective July 1, 2025, with some provisions contingent upon ratification of related constitutional amendment regarding probate court judges20252026-232293
House Bills
Senate Bill 58 – Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act
Primary Sponsor: Albers (56)
Committee Assignment: Public Health
Summary:
This bill establishes a new class of licensed ambulance service specifically for emergency organ transport vehicles, enabling time-sensitive transport of organs, tissue, medical supplies, and transplant personnel.
Definitions & Key Terms:
- Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle: A vehicle transporting organs, tissue, or transplant-related personnel or supplies.
- Ambulance Service (revised): Expanded to include organ transport alongside traditional emergency medical transport.
New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
- Licenses emergency organ transport vehicles as ambulance services.
- Requires insurance and compliance with Department of Public Health regulations.
- Exempts such vehicles from Emergency Medical Systems Communications (EMSC) Program and medical adviser rules.
- Authorizes emergency driving privileges under OCGA 40-6-6.
- Adds vehicle registration and licensing guidelines similar to traditional ambulances.
Who is Affected & How:
- Organ transplant facilities & hospitals: Gains faster, dedicated transport services.
- Ambulance providers: Can expand services to include organ transport.
Penalties & Enforcement:
- No new penalties; enforcement mirrors existing ambulance service regulations.
Implementation & Effective Date:
- Upon approval by the Governor.
Senate Bill 98 – County Conservators and Guardians
Primary Sponsor: Cowsert (46)
Committee Assignment: Juvenile Justice
Summary:
This bill changes statutory references and responsibilities for county guardians, redesignating them as county conservators, and formalizing their duties and bonds under updated terminology.
Definitions & Key Terms:
- County Guardian → County Conservator: New terminology that reflects modern conservatorship roles.
- County Administrator: Serves ex officio as county conservator under this bill.
New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
- Replaces “county guardian” with “county conservator” throughout Title 29.
- Clarifies duties of administrators who act as conservators.
- Requires updated bond procedures for new designations.
- Makes conforming changes to related sections in Title 53.
Who is Affected & How:
- Probate courts and county officials: Must adjust terminology and processes.
- Wards and estates: Updated oversight terminology, no change in service level.
Penalties & Enforcement:
- Existing penalties and responsibilities for mismanagement of conservatorship apply.
Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective upon signature by the Governor.
Senate Bill 84 – Specialty License Plate: Organ Donors Save Lives
Primary Sponsor: Albers (56)
Committee Assignment: Motor Vehicles
Summary:
Establishes a new specialty license plate to promote awareness of organ donation with the inscription: “Organ Donors Save Lives.”
Definitions & Key Terms:
- Specialty License Plate: Optional plate with a custom design supporting a cause.
New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
- Adds a new design to OCGA § 40-2-86.1.
- Proceeds from plate sales go to the state’s general fund.
Who is Affected & How:
- Vehicle owners: Can opt for the plate to promote organ donation.
- General public: Increased visibility and awareness of organ donation.
Penalties & Enforcement:
- Standard tag and specialty plate rules apply.
Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective January 1, 2026, contingent on two-thirds vote of both chambers per Georgia Constitution.
Senate Bill 96 – State Government Council & Board Cleanup Act
Primary Sponsor: Echols (49)
Committee Assignment: Code Revision
Summary:
This comprehensive code revision bill repeals, updates, or consolidates dozens of outdated boards, councils, commissions, and task forces across state government. It reflects an ongoing effort to eliminate duplicative or inactive advisory bodies.
Definitions & Key Terms:
- Code Revision Bill: A non-substantive cleanup measure to modernize state statutes.
- Repealed Bodies Include: Environmental Advisory Council, Governor’s Office for Children and Families, Stakeholder Advisory Board, and others.
New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
- Repeals and updates provisions across Titles 8, 12, 15, 25, 29, 43, 49, and 50.
- Transfers some responsibilities to active agencies (e.g., Department of Human Services).
- Adjusts appointments, definitions, and duties for remaining active boards.
Who is Affected & How:
- State agencies: Streamlined advisory structure and fewer inactive groups to report to.
- Public records: Clarifies which councils are active and current in state law.
Penalties & Enforcement:
- None. This is a structural and organizational update.
Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective July 1, 2025, with some transfers occurring as of June 30, 2025.
Senate Bill 13 – Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Expansion
Primary Sponsor: Summers (13)
Committee Assignment: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
Summary:
Expands GEFA’s authority to include financing for natural gas infrastructure outside certified areas and for undergrounding electrical lines, alongside existing water, sewer, and solid waste projects.
Definitions & Key Terms:
- GEFA: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
- Natural Gas Facility: Newly defined to include pipelines, tanks, and distribution outside certified areas.
- Environmental Facilities (expanded): Now includes natural gas and electric line burial.
New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
- Updates definitions in OCGA § 50-23-4.
- Adds new types of eligible projects for GEFA financing.
- Allows GEFA to promulgate rules on these new areas.
- Maintains limited liability protections for GEFA board members and staff.
Who is Affected & How:
- Rural areas without gas service: May now receive GEFA-backed infrastructure financing.
- Utility companies: May partner with GEFA for underground conversion projects.
- GEFA: Broader mission and project authority.
Penalties & Enforcement:
- None. Administrative and financing authority only.
Implementation & Effective Date:
- Effective upon approval by the Governor.
Senate Bill 154 – Federal Reference Cleanup in Education & Licensing
Primary Sponsor: Hatchett (50)
Committee Assignment: Education
Summary:
Removes or modernizes references to the U.S. Department of Education and related federal programs across Georgia’s education and professional licensing codes.
Definitions & Key Terms:
- FAFSA Submission Summary: Replaces outdated term “Student Aid Report.”
- U.S. Department of Education (or its successor): Phrase now used throughout the code.
New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
- Changes language in Titles 20, 35, and 43 to reflect current federal terminology.
- Updates tuition waiver rules for foster and adopted students to match new FAFSA process.
- Makes future repeal of federal education references contingent on Congressional action.
Who is Affected & How:
- Education institutions and licensing boards: Must use updated terminology and processes.
- Students receiving waivers: Now evaluated using updated FAFSA summaries.
Penalties & Enforcement:
- No new penalties; conforms existing law to current federal administrative language.
Implementation & Effective Date:
- Most sections effective upon Governor’s signature.
- Sections 1 & 2 only take effect if Congress repeals or abolishes the U.S. Department of Education.
