A RESOLUTION recognizing and honoring the life, service, and legacy of Representative Mandi L. Ballinger, devoted public servant, faithful advocate, and cherished resident of Cherokee County; and for other purposes.
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Georgia Independent College Association for its leadership in private higher education and its enduring commitment to making Georgia the top state for talent and economic development; and for other purposes.
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 Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits for state income tax, so as to exclude tips from taxation; to provide for reporting by employers; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; 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Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a Joint Study Committee to examine Georgia's outdated 9-1-1 funding system, which dates to 1977 and was designed for landline phones.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.
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 Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts, so as to provide for duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts relative to accessibility of certain personal information of state and federal judges, justices, and spouses thereof; to amend Code Section 36-32-40 of the O.C.GA., relating to creation of Council of Municipal Court Judges, membership and organization, purpose, expenses, contracts, assistance to council, and members not ineligible to hold office of judge, so as to require submission of certain information to the Council of Magistrate Court Judges; to provide for and revise definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
