Rep. Shaw Blackmon

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property tax exemptions, so as to increase the amount of a state-wide homestead exemption from certain ad valorem taxes; to provide for related matters; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-44.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to base year homestead exemption, so as to postpone the date by which local governing authorities are authorized to opt out of such homestead exemption; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution honoring Clarence "Ed" Barker, a former Georgia state senator who served the 18th District from 1973-1991. It commemorates his public service, community leadership, and family legacy without creating any new laws or policy changes. The resolution expresses the House's condolences to his family following his passing and directs the Clerk to share a copy with them. As a commemorative measure, it has no substantive legislative impact.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HR 870) symbolically honors Jade Thomas, a fourth-grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Lake Joy Elementary School, as one of 10 finalists for Georgia's 2026 Teacher of the Year. It recognizes her teaching excellence, military service as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and founding of the school's Military Kids Club, but contains no new policies, funding, or binding requirements. As a ceremonial resolution, it serves only to commend her work without altering any laws or affecting any regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 655 is a resolution creating the House Study Committee on Gaming to examine the potential economic, social, and fiscal impacts of legalizing land-based casinos, pari-mutuel horse racing, and sports betting in Georgia. The committee, composed of seven House members appointed by the Speaker, will hold public hearings across the state and analyze factors like revenue generation, job creation, impacts on Georgia's horse breeding industry, and comparisons to out-of-state gaming spending. It must submit findings and recommendations by December 1, 2025, to guide future legislative decisions on gaming legislation. This procedural resolution does not enact new laws but sets up a formal study process for the General Assembly.

A RESOLUTION ratifying Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order Nos. 10.01.24.02, 10.08.24.01, and 10.15.24.01 suspending the collection of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 10 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles, so as to exempt from ad valorem taxation motor vehicles owned by a natural person for which a title was issued in this state before March 1, 2013; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Richard L. Jackson, recipient of the 2025 Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Ann Cramer Lifetime Achievement Award; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 473) is a ceremonial commendation by the Georgia House of Representatives. It formally recognizes the Miss Georgia Peach Scholarship Pageant and congratulates the five 2024 Georgia Peach Queens (including Charleigh Harper as Miss Georgia Peach). The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it solely expresses legislative support for the pageant's role in promoting Georgia's peach industry and community engagement. It does not affect any laws or individuals beyond this symbolic recognition.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to retirement allowances, disability benefits, and spouses' benefits, so as to extend the program to permit public school systems to employ certain beneficiaries of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia as classroom teachers in a full-time capacity to June 30, 2030; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.