Rep. Karen Mathiak

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to revise provisions for the protection of government statues, monuments, plaques, banners, and other commemorative symbols; to provide for construction; to provide for severability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 5, 2026, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the Georgia State Capitol to honor the work of mental health professionals. The resolution recognizes the contributions of over 13,000 licensed professional counselors in Georgia who provide mental health services to diverse communities. It acknowledges their training, independent practice capabilities, and role in supporting mental health care access and crisis response. The measure is a symbolic gesture that encourages public appreciation for these counselors without creating new laws or funding.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 17-5-71 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preservation of evidence, so as to extend the retention period of evidence of sexual assault when the victim elects not to immediately report the assault; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 86 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government efficiency, so as to provide for a comprehensive efficiency review of local taxing bodies; to provide for a report; to provide for a penalty; to permit use of certain grant funds; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a definition; 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 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Health, so as to require certain hospitals to give a preference to American manufactured pharmaceuticals; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions and waivers; to provide for documentation; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for construction; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Dr. Bob Eichhammer's life and memory through a formal House of Representatives expression of condolences to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws, programs, or constituents - it is purely ceremonial. The resolution states the House "join[s] in honoring" his legacy, citing his professional dedication, character, and community impact. It directs the House Clerk to provide a copy to his family. As a commemorative resolution, it does not enact any new requirements or changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for its volunteer service to Georgia citizens. It honors their roles in emergency response, disaster relief (including hurricane support for Helene and Milton), aerospace education, and cadet programs, noting their 2024 volunteer value exceeded $7.6 million. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative appreciation for CAP volunteers' contributions. It was formally adopted by the Georgia House of Representatives in 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to revise standards of justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to provide for a rebuttable presumption; to provide for timing for claims of immunity from prosecution based upon justification; to provide for standards of proof; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state purchasing, so as to provide for a small business set-aside program administered by the Department of Administrative Services under which state agencies would be required to make reasonable efforts to dedicate 20 percent of their annual procurement contracts to projects and contracts involving small businesses; to provide for certification of small businesses; to provide for a small business directory; to provide for an annual reporting requirement; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution, not a substantive bill. It honors the late Dr. Guy F. Riekeman, a respected chiropractor, former Life University president (2004-2017), and community leader who dedicated over 50 years to advancing chiropractic education and serving others. The resolution expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' condolences for his passing and directs the Clerk to provide a copy to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on citizens, as it is purely a symbolic tribute.