Rep. Mark Newton

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 4, 2026, as "Physician's Day" at the Georgia state capitol to honor physicians across the state. It recognizes physicians' roles in patient care, ethical practice, and community health, citing Georgia's 27,750 licensed physicians and referencing medical associations. The bill has no binding policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, with no new requirements or funding. It was formally adopted by the Georgia House of Representatives on February 2, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-7-40.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax credits for business enterprises in less developed areas, so as to provide for certain military zones that qualify for designation as less developed areas during a limited period of time; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 197 requires health care providers to make a specific effort to discuss a patient's care with insurance review agents (like private or utility review entities) when medical necessity is questioned. This includes contacting providers directly, using callback systems, or offering website scheduling for later communication during normal business hours. The bill also mandates that insurers implement performance-based programs to reduce prior authorization requirements for high-performing providers who follow evidence-based medicine, with annual reporting to the state department by 2026. It applies to all Georgia health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to income taxes, so as to expand the tax credit for contributions to foster child support organizations to allow such organizations to include as qualified expenditures wraparound and mentorship services for justice involved youth; to expand the wraparound services that are qualified expenditures; to provide for such tax credits to be used by certain insurance companies against insurance premium tax liability; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for reporting and public website requirements; to provide for certifying and decertifying qualified organizations; to provide for information sharing and limitations thereof; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to education, so as to require employers of school employees to provide leaves of absence for the donation of bone marrow and organs; to provide for standards and conditions for granting such leaves of absence; to provide for a penalty for noncompliance; to provide for definitions; 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 Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to revise a tax credit for certain medical preceptor rotations; to add dentistry; to increase the value of the tax credit; to revise definitions; to provide for an aggregate annual cap; to extend the sunset provision for such tax credit; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Columbia County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of $8,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that 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; 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 provide a homestead exemption from Columbia County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $8,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district; 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; 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 authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Richmond County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.