Sen. Steve Gooch

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.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to authorize electors to cast physical absentee on-request ballots as an alternative to using other authorized means of casting in-person votes; to provide procedures for form, collection, and tabulation of such ballots; to revise reporting provisions to reference such ballots; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 18 of Title 45, Chapter 4 of Title 49, and Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the employees' insurance and benefits plans, public assistance, and general provisions relative to state government, respectively, so as to prohibit coverage of expenses for gender-affirming care under the state health benefit plan or with any state funds; to provide for definitions; to provide for limited exceptions; to prohibit state healthcare facilities and healthcare providers employed by the state from providing gender-affirming care; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

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 Coach Wesley Willis for his outstanding leadership, dedication to student-athletes, and historic accomplishments as Head Coach of the North Paulding High School girls basketball team; and for other purposes.

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 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 Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to prohibit unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; to require certain institutions to participate in the Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund and to provide how such institutions may participate; to provide for indemnification; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.