Sen. Ed Setzler

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 570), not a policy bill. It honors the late Claire Ann Bartlett, a Fulton County Republican community leader and volunteer who passed away in December 2025. The resolution commemorates her life, family, service with the Fulton County Republican Party, Georgia Life Alliance, and Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, and her community impact. Adopted by the Georgia Senate on January 14, 2026, it has no legislative effect beyond expressing condolences.

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 Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the State School Superintendent, so as to require the Department of Education to publish relevant and applicable federal guidance documents and related information; to provide for definitions; to require annual notice from the State School Superintendent to designated committees and offices of the General Assembly and the Office and Planning and Budget; to authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

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.

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 69, the "Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act," prohibits courts from considering a driver’s failure to wear a seat belt as evidence of negligence or fault in car accident lawsuits. It also prevents insurance companies from canceling coverage or raising rates due to not wearing a seat belt. The law amends Georgia’s seat belt statute (Code Section 40-8-76.1) to explicitly block such evidence and insurance penalties, effective January 1, 2026. This directly affects drivers involved in civil cases related to vehicle accidents and insurers handling those claims. The bill repeals conflicting laws but does not apply to cases already pending before its effective date.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding the assessment and payment of costs of criminal proceedings, so as to provide for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in a criminal case to the defendant upon such defendant making a successful motion to disqualify the prosecuting attorney for misconduct in connection with the case; to provide for procedures for assessing and paying such fees and costs; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 15 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professional engineers and land surveyors, so as to decouple the sequential order of experience and examination requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 10-1-393 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions unlawful and examples, so as to provide increased consumer protection for homeowners entering into contracts with contractors following natural disasters; to provide for certain contractual requirements; to provide for notice language; to amend Code Section 33-6-5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, so as to prohibit the assignment of benefits in certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 15 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to miscellaneous provisions under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to require that local school systems offer certain exams to home study students; to provide for notice requirements; to prohibit additional qualifications; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.