Rep. Sandy Donatucci

Maddy summaryHB 579 revises Georgia's licensing laws for professions and businesses, directly affecting licensed professionals (like doctors, therapists, and tradespeople) and the state agencies that oversee their licenses. It updates procedures for license applications, renewals, and board meetings, requires licensing rules to protect public health and safety, and repeals outdated committees for certain counseling boards. The bill also clarifies that licensing board members receive standard state expense allowances and mandates public access to meeting schedules. Signed into law as Act 89, it takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2026 as World OKTA Global Startup Month to honor the contributions of Korean-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The resolution recognizes the organization's role in fostering innovation, providing mentorship, and strengthening international business networks. It directs the House Clerk to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press. The measure is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a law that changes regulations or mandates new actions.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Gwinnett County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Gwinnett County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions, so as to prohibit courts and administrative officers from deferring to agency interpretations of laws and regulations; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Georgia veterans cemeteries, so as to revise the terms of eligibility for persons to be buried in Georgia veterans cemeteries; to provide for a definition; to require an affidavit in certain circumstances; to provide for applicability; to provide for fees; to provide for the Veterans Service Board to have certain discretion; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local boards of education, so as to provide for the awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; to provide for waivers; to provide for posthumous awarding of such diplomas; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to require certain schools that offer after-school programs to make such programs available to pre-kindergarten students on the same basis as the school's other students; to provide for limited waivers of such requirement; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 20 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to personnel administration, so as to provide 80 hours of maternal birth leave; to provide for definitions; to provide rules; to provide for penalties; to provide notice; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to require local school systems and public schools to enact policies and procedures for use of personal electronic devices at school and school sponsored events by students in grades nine through twelve; to revise provisions relative to permissible student use of personal electronic devices; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to enact the "Math Matters Act"; to require the State Board of Education to adopt content standards for middle and high school advanced math courses; to require local education agencies to establish advance math courses in middle school and high school; to require the Professional Standards Commission to ensure students completing teacher certification programs have the knowledge and skills to teach math including the four strands of mathematical proficiency; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.