Rep. Rick Townsend

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate Brunswick stew as the official state stew; 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 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 authorize the governing authority of Glynn 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 for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from City of Brunswick ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in a designated percentage off such assessed value based upon length of ownership of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; 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 amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance for students in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide that student performers shall not be counted absent from school due to performing in certain productions, subject to certain conditions, for no more than all or part of 25 school days; to authorize the Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Education, to develop such certification forms and promulgate rules and regulations; to provide for authorizations by parents or guardians relating to the education records of student performers; 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 Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to remove authorization for the Secretary of State to become a member of a nongovernmental entity whose purpose is to share and exchange information in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of voter registration systems; to provide for definitions; to maintain an exemption to the disclosure of certain documents; to prohibit the Secretary of State, other state level actors, and local boards of registrars and election superintendents from participating in certain multistate voter list maintenance organizations; to require the termination of participation in any prohibited multistate voter list maintenance organizations; to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 368 creates a Joint Study Committee to examine unregulated intoxicating cannabinoids in consumable hemp products, such as delta-8-THC and HHC, which current Georgia laws do not restrict despite their potential dangers. The committee, appointed by the House Speaker, will study regulatory gaps, health impacts, and whether an excise tax should apply to hemp beverages, with a deadline of December 2025. This procedural resolution does not impose new laws but will gather input from industry, law enforcement, and the public to inform future policy. It directly affects Georgia's hemp industry, consumers, and government agencies by addressing a gap in existing hemp product regulations.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 916), not a policy bill. It formally commends John "JT" Marshburn, a Georgia College student, on his election as Secretary of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC), the official youth arm of the Republican National Committee. The resolution highlights his leadership and dedication to the CRNC's mission of engaging conservative college students. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the House's recognition of his appointment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 915) formally recognizes and commends Celia Young, a 12-year-old Georgia resident, for founding HPIN (Helping People in Need) and her community service. It highlights her youth-led initiative, which has raised $25,000-$30,000 in cash and in-kind donations since 2021, distributing essentials like sleeping bags, food, and school supplies through local organizations. The bill has no policy or funding impact - it is purely a symbolic honor to acknowledge her civic leadership and charitable work. As a commemorative resolution, it does not affect laws, budgets, or regulations.

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 allow for the Department of Education to employ beneficiaries of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; to provide for such employees to continue to receive their retirement benefit; to prohibit such employees from accruing creditable service for such employment; to provide for exceptions; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.