Sen. Billy Hickman

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 authorize certain local governing authorities to provide temporary tax relief from the taxes levied for the harvest or sale of standing timber in certain disaster areas;to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title and legislative findings and intent; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Senate study committee to investigate pharmacy benefits managers and their impact on prescription drug costs and consumer access. The committee will examine practices such as steering patients to affiliated pharmacies, drug price markups, and reimbursement manipulation that critics say harm patients and independent pharmacies. The committee consists of Senate committee chairs and appointed experts, and it will hold meetings, receive funding for its work, and submit a report with findings and potential legislative recommendations before being abolished on December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Funding to examine how Georgia's universities and technical colleges are currently funded. The committee will study the existing funding formulas, which are based on student enrollment rather than student outcomes, and explore whether these formulas need updating to account for changes like virtual instruction and declining enrollment. The six-member committee will meet to investigate these issues and can recommend new legislation to the General Assembly. The committee will operate until December 1, 2026, and must submit a final report before that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes and commends Austin Trott for completing a 10-year work anniversary with the Georgia State Senate. The document highlights his career progression from a senate aide in 2015 to his current role as deputy director of the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office, noting his academic background and contributions to legislative operations. The resolution authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the document to Trott as an official acknowledgment of his service and leadership.

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Jennifer Boger for her distinguished career in public service and her time in the Georgia State Senate Budget and Evaluation Office; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes and commends Mrs. Angela W. Touhy for her long and distinguished service to the Georgia State Senate. It directly affects Mrs. Touhy by officially honoring her career, which includes over 35 years of public service in state administration and legislative support roles. The resolution highlights her contributions to the Senate Appropriations Committee and her continued work assisting the committee after retirement in 2022. The Senate authorized the Secretary to provide a copy of this resolution to Mrs. Touhy as a formal acknowledgment of her service.

A RESOLUTION urging the Department of Community Affairs to refrain from adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code in order to protect housing affordability and maintain the current energy code framework of this state; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 9 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grants for educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to revise and streamline provisions relative to the teacher recruitment and retention tax credit program; to provide for definitions; to amend Code Section 48-7-29.23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax credits for teachers in the teacher recruitment and retention program, so as to provide for tax credit amounts; 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 2A of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student scholarship organizations, so as to provide for the State of Georgia to participate in the federal tax credit program for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for rules and guidelines; to provide for definitions; to make conforming changes; to amend Code Section 48-7-29.16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax credits for contributions to student scholarship organizations, so as to make a conforming change; 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 Chapter 41 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to residential and commercial general contractors, so as to provide for licensure of home inspectors; to provide for reciprocity of licensure; to provide for licensure of companies performing home inspections; to provide for minimum requirements to apply for licensure; to provide for continuing education requirements; to require home inspectors to maintain insurance; to provide for standards of practice and unfair trade practices; to provide for exceptions; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for a legislative purpose; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.