Sen. Rick Williams

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 568) is a symbolic recognition of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Canines For Kids Program by the Georgia Senate. It acknowledges the program's establishment in 2009 as the first of its kind in the U.S., its 18-month dog training process, and how 16 facility dogs provide comfort to young patients at four Atlanta hospitals. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Senate's support for the program's role in helping children cope during medical care. The Senate passed it unanimously on January 14, 2026.

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Cartrelia Denese Sampson on her outstanding service as a legislative assistant, serving many senators over the years with the Georgia Senate, and now, as the Director of Constituent Services with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding public officers and employees, so as to provide a misdemeanor offense for violations regarding complaints by public employees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 14 of Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to use of speed detection devices and red light cameras, so as to provide for standards for signs warning of a reduced speed limit in a school zone and signs warning of the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; to amend Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts, so as to authorize district attorneys, solicitors-general, and prosecuting attorneys to enforce civil monetary penalties relative to the enforcement of laws regarding speeding in a school zone using recorded images; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a Joint Study Committee to examine Georgia's outdated 9-1-1 funding system, which dates to 1977 and was designed for landline phones. The committee, composed of legislative members from public safety and utilities committees plus state agency directors, will study how modern mobile/VoIP technology impacts 9-1-1 funding needs and recommend potential reforms. It will report findings by December 2025 but does not enact new funding or laws itself. The study directly affects Georgia's 9-1-1 centers and public safety infrastructure, as the current $1.50 per landline fee model no longer aligns with today's communication technology.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 36 and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government and state government, respectively, so as to prohibit certain transactions between government entities and certain foreign persons; to prohibit government entities from purchasing or acquiring foreign unmanned aircraft systems; to prohibit the use of state funds in connection with such unmanned aircraft systems; to prohibit government entities from operating such unmanned aircraft systems; to prohibit foreign adversaries from submitting a proposal for a contract with a state agency for goods or services; to revise and 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 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 provide that public schools, local education agencies, and public postsecondary institutions shall not promote, support, or maintain any programs or activities that advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion; to provide for sanctions; to provide for definitions; 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 Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide for an extension of preferential assessment periods for certain historic properties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summarySB 291 creates a new "America First" specialty license plate in Georgia, featuring an American flag and the phrase "America First" to promote patriotism. Georgia drivers who choose this plate will pay an additional fee, with all proceeds deposited into the state's general fund. The bill requires 1,000 prepaid applications to continue manufacturing the plate after 2027; if this threshold isn't met by January 1, 2028, production stops. The plate becomes available starting January 1, 2026, and replaces conflicting laws. This is a standard specialty plate with no direct funding for specific organizations.

Maddy summarySB 112 (Georgia) requires manufacturers to automatically transfer HVAC system warranties to new homeowners when residential property is sold, without charging fees for the transfer. It prohibits conditioning warranties on product registration, mandating that warranty forms clearly state registration is not required to maintain warranty coverage. The law applies to HVAC systems installed by licensed contractors, with all new warranties issued on or after January 1, 2026, required to comply. This directly affects homeowners purchasing homes with HVAC systems and HVAC manufacturers/distributors selling such systems in Georgia.