Labor & Employment

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 47 of the O.C.G.A., relating to retirement, retirement allowances, disability benefits, and death benefits relative to the Georgia Firefighter's Pension Fund, so as to provide for certain members to retire at age 50; to amend Article 7 of Chapter 20 of Title 47 of the O.C.G.A., the "Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law," so as to provide for an exception for the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund to invest in assets rated below investment grade; to provide for related matters; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

SB 191 amends Georgia's unemployment benefits law to clarify notice requirements for claimants and the Department of Labor. It defines "issue date" as the date a benefit determination is mailed, delivered, or sent electronically with consent, requiring this date to be printed on all notices. The bill standardizes appeal deadlines to 15 days from the issue date for initial determinations, hearings, and board decisions, while allowing the Commissioner to adjust time limits through administrative rules (with due process). These changes apply to all unemployment benefit claims and appeals under Georgia law, effective January 1, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to employees' insurance and benefits plans, so as to require the state employees' health insurance plan include high deductible health plans; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.