Sen. Ben Watson

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes and commends Pastor Dr. Brad Whitt for his 30 years of pastoral service and leadership. The bill honors his work leading congregations in Tennessee, Ohio, and South Carolina, including his current role at Abilene Baptist Church, where he has helped grow the church and establish community programs. It also acknowledges his service as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention's Pastors' Conference and his authorship of three books on faith. The resolution directs the Senate Secretary to provide a copy of the document to Pastor Whitt.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to government transparency and campaign finance, so as to provide for transparency in foreign funded political activities within the state; to require agents of hostile foreign principals and foreign supported political organizations to register with the State Ethics Commission; to provide for registration requirements; to provide for definitions; to provide legislative findings; to provide for civil penalties; to authorize the Attorney General to bring civil actions or criminal investigations for violations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a Georgia Senate study committee to examine adoption affordability and permanency systems. The committee will study cost drivers (like home studies and fees), regulatory barriers, financial incentives (such as tax credits), and access challenges - especially for middle-income families and children with special needs. It does not make new laws but will evaluate Georgia's current adoption framework across state laws and agency practices. The committee, composed of five Senate members, will report findings by December 2026 to inform potential future policy changes. This affects prospective adoptive families, child welfare agencies, and children in foster care seeking permanent placements.

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 relative to income taxes, so as to disqualify business enterprises that hire illegal aliens for large-scale projects from claiming certain tax credits associated with such projects; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-6-47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from certificate of need requirements, so as to provide an exemption for health care facilities, services, and equipment dedicated exclusively to the treatment of cancer; to provide for conditions; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION congratulating the Greenbrier High School girls flag football team for winning the 2025 GHSA Division 2 State Flag Football Championship; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill dedicates an intersection in Chatham County as the Kevin "Catfish" Jackson Memorial Intersection to honor the life of Mr. Jackson, a former University of Georgia football player and community leader. The resolution directs the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs marking the intersection at State Route 26/US-80 and Johnny Mercer Boulevard. Copies of the resolution will be distributed to Mr. Jackson's family and relevant state agencies. This is a commemorative measure that does not alter existing laws or policies.

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to clarify that only citizens of the United States shall have a right to vote in elections in this state; to require electors to present photographic identification prior to casting a ballot; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary school students, so as to require written notification to a parent when a student receives certain noninstructional services from certain school employees; to provide for exceptions; to provide for education records of such noninstructional services; to revise the "Parents' Bill of Rights" to provide for such written notification; to require local education agencies to adopt policies, rules, or regulations; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for an effective date; 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 require that the list of eligible voters is posted and made public prior to each primary or election; to provide for civil fines in the event that registrars fail to remove a person from the list of registered voters following a successful challenge; to provide conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.