Sen. Ben Watson

A RESOLUTION urging the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to create a study committee for the purpose of making recommendations to the Senate with regard to how the State of Georgia can use advanced nuclear reactors to increase power generation and economic development in this state; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 11 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 and Article 10 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public school property and facilities and state-wide first responder building mapping information system, respectively, so as to enact "Ricky and Alyssa's Law"; to require local school systems to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting disparate emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple state and local first responder agencies in the event of a school security; to authorize the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to adopt rules and regulations for the requirements for school mapping data; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to provide for the establishment of the Georgia Health Care Professionals Data System; to provide for definitions; to provide for collaboration with state licensing boards; to provide for a publicly accessible website; to provide for collection of data from state licensing boards; to provide for specified data; to provide for seeking of funding sources; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 4-10, 2026, as Small Business Week to honor small business owners and their contributions to Georgia's economy. The measure recognizes the role small businesses play in job creation, innovation, and community development, particularly in Chatham County. It authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and media for awareness purposes. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic importance of small enterprises.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that recognizes April 1, 2026, as America 250 Day at the state capitol to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of Georgia's historical role in American history, including its contributions to the founding of the United States and its cultural significance. The Senate is authorized to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press, making it a commemorative measure rather than a legislative change.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes and commends Lee Vaughn for his public service and leadership in Georgia. It directly affects Lee Vaughn, a retired Commissioner of District Two who served as Chairman of Commissioners until his retirement. The resolution highlights his contributions to his community, his current roles in banking and various organizations, and expresses congratulations on his retirement. The Senate also authorizes the Secretary to provide a copy of the resolution to Vaughn for distribution.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of specialized land transactions, so as to prohibit business enterprises or business enterprises controlled by natural born persons from owning an interest in more than 500 single-family residential properties; to prohibit foreign investment vehicles from owning any interest in a single-family residential property to be used as rental property; to provide a private cause of action against a business enterprise that owns an interest in more than 500 single-family residential properties and foreign investment vehicles; to provide for the disclosure of information by brokers; to provide an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; 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 make the state-wide base year homestead exemption mandatory for all political subdivisions; to repeal a related tax bill requirement; to make conforming changes; to amend Article 2B of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to special district option sales and use tax, so as to remove a condition precedent to the call for a referendum for such tax; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to Department of Economic Development, so as to create the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority; to confer powers and impose duties on the authority; to provide for membership and appointment of members of the authority; to provide for terms of the members; to prohibit employees and members from having certain interests; to provide for revenue bonds; to provide for venue and jurisdiction; to provide for the authority's purpose; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for tax exemptions; to provide for supplemental powers; to provide for liberal construction; to provide for successor interests; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION commending the East Laurens Lady Falcons basketball team for their victory in the GHSA Class A/Division I Girls State Championship; and for other purposes.