Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) passed by the Georgia House of Representatives to recognize journalist Brian Goldstone. It commends him for his work documenting homelessness and housing insecurity in Atlanta, particularly through his book *There Is No Place for Us*, which highlights the "working homeless" crisis and systemic issues like gentrification and lack of tenant rights. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply honors his journalism and reporting on housing issues affecting DeKalb County residents. It was adopted unanimously on February 11, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conveyances, so as to prohibit certain entities from acquiring an interest in a single-family residence in certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to provide that any business enterprise, including, but not limited to, private equity, having an interest in 1,000 or more single-family residential properties within this state used primarily for purposes of generating rental income shall be subject to an ad valorem tax assessment of 100 percent; to provide for related matters; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide for the assessment of real property purchased or acquired by certain business enterprises at 100 percent of its fair market value; to require that proceeds from taxation of such property be used to reduce the ad valorem tax bill on homesteads in the same tax jurisdiction as such property; to provide for penalties; to provide for certification of ownership; to provide for forms and applications; to provide for definitions; to provide for contingent effectiveness and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to encourage transparency and fairness with respect to rent pricing for residential properties; to prohibit landlords from failing to disclose the total rental price of any residential property and charging hidden fees for any residential property; to provide for definitions; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates 2026 as the "Year of the Georgia Birding Trail" to commemorate Birds Georgia's 100th anniversary and highlight the economic and ecological value of birding. It urges Georgia citizens to protect bird habitats, learn about local bird species, and support conservation efforts. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic recognition of birding's role in tourism and environmental health. It directly affects residents, conservation groups, and tourism stakeholders by promoting engagement with bird conservation.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding landlord and tenant, so as to establish minimum habitability standards consistent with recognized housing standards; to prohibit waivers of such standards; to provide for enforcement and clarification of existing landlord duties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding labor and industrial relations, so as to provide retraining and other support for displaced federal employees; to provide for a definition; to provide for coordination between the Georgia Department of Labor and the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia; to amend Chapter 2 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility and qualifications for office, so as to provide for the modification of certain hiring procedures for certain displaced federal employees; to provide for reporting; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits, so as to provide a tax credit for newly constructed residences built by a residential contractor or builder that are sold to taxpayers earning no more than 80 percent of the area median income; to provide for application and approval; to provide for rules, regulations, and forms; 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 Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax exemptions, so as to provide for a state-wide homestead exemption for certain public service employees from ad valorem taxes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year value 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 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.