Rep. Bethany Ballard

A BILL To be entitled an Act to amend Part 5 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pawnbrokers, so as to provide certain protections for current military members and related persons; to prohibit pawnbrokers from making title pawns with covered borrowers; to provide a penalty for violations; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution designating January 29, 2026, as "Strolling Thunder Day" at the Georgia state capitol. It recognizes the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) and their annual event where families share experiences about raising young children with lawmakers. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or obligations - it simply formally acknowledges this event to highlight early childhood development priorities. It directly affects Georgia lawmakers and the public by designating a specific day for this symbolic recognition.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state employees' health insurance plan and post-employment health benefit fund, so as to require the state health benefit plan to cover hormone replacement therapy for biological women experiencing perimenopause and menopause when such therapy is ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician; to provide for definitions; to allow for deductibles, coinsurance and copayment provisions, and utilization review; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

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 summaryThis resolution honors the life and memory of Claire Ann Bartlett. It is a symbolic gesture by the House to express condolences following her passing. The bill has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it is a non-binding commemorative resolution. It was formally adopted by the House on January 12, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Sexual Offender Risk Review Board, so as to provide for venue for certain petitions regarding the state sexual offender registry; 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 provide for the State Board of Education to establish a three-year pilot immersive writing program for eligible public elementary schools; to provide for eligibility; to provide for grant funds for eligible public elementary schools to develop and implement immersive writing programs for students in grades two through five; to provide for applications and selection to participate in the pilot program; to provide for assessment and reporting on the impacts of the pilot program; to authorize the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the pilot program; to provide for automatic repeal; 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 9 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grants for educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for up to $500,000.00 in matching grants by the State Board of Education to local units of administration for the purpose of providing home reading programs for students in kindergarten through fourth grade; to authorize the State Board of Education to receive and administer federal funds for such grants; to provide for eligibility; to require the State Board of Education to develop rules and regulations; 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 allow certain persons to be buried in Georgia veterans cemeteries; to provide for definitions; to provide for fees; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2 of Part 6 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conditions of employment in elementary and secondary education, so as to require local school systems to provide notice to employees regarding social security withholdings and eligibility for inclusion in certain benefits, pension, or retirement plans; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.