Sen. Drew Echols

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the assessment of property taxes on property used primarily for the manufacturing, assembly, processing, or storage of products or the housing of electronic equipment primarily used to process, store, or transmit digital information and data; 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 Chapters 5 and 6 of Title 16 and Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes against the person, sexual offenses, and sentence and punishment, respectively, so as to provide for increased punishments for certain offenses; to provide for certain punishment for offenders who have been convicted of the offense of rape, sexual battery, or aggravated sexual battery of a person under 12 years of age; to designate certain offenses as serious violent felonies; to remove probation eligibility for certain offenses committed while serving a sentence; to prohibit probation for certain offenses; to prohibit early termination of probation for certain offenses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to require submission of proof of completion of certified DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs by certain applicants to obtain limited driving permits; to require completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program for acceptance of a reduced plea for a charge of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; 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 Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to retirement and pensions, so as to permit certain persons who would otherwise be required to be members of the Public School Employees Retirement System to make an irrevocable election to become members of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; to provide for conditions; to prohibit transfers of creditable service; to provide for related matters; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to revise provisions for the protection of government statues, monuments, plaques, banners, and other commemorative symbols; to provide for construction; to provide for severability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the Georgia Wildlife Federation for its 90-year history of advancing wildlife conservation and natural resource protection in the state. The resolution formally recognizes the organization's contributions to restoring wildlife populations, supporting conservation funding, and promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education and partnerships. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Wildlife Federation as an official acknowledgment of their work.

A RESOLUTION commending and congratulating the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animal protection generally, so as to strengthen protections for dogs possessed for breeding purposes; to provide a definition; to expand minimum standards of care applicable to dog breeders; to limit the total number of dogs that may be possessed for breeding purposes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 9-11-23 and Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to class actions and miscellaneous local administrative provisions relative to ad valorem taxation of property, respectively, so as to prohibit class action suits by taxpayers for refunds; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 851) encourages Georgia Senate members to form a bipartisan life sciences caucus. It does not create new laws or funding but proposes a forum for senators to learn about the life sciences sector - including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural innovation - to better inform future policy decisions. The resolution specifically highlights the sector's role in economic growth, job creation, healthcare, and food security across Georgia communities. As a symbolic measure, it has no binding effect and serves only to promote dialogue among legislators.