Sen. Chuck Hufstetler

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide for an extension of preferential assessment periods for certain historic properties; 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 191 amends Georgia's unemployment benefits law to clarify notice requirements for claimants and the Department of Labor. It defines "issue date" as the date a benefit determination is mailed, delivered, or sent electronically with consent, requiring this date to be printed on all notices. The bill standardizes appeal deadlines to 15 days from the issue date for initial determinations, hearings, and board decisions, while allowing the Commissioner to adjust time limits through administrative rules (with due process). These changes apply to all unemployment benefit claims and appeals under Georgia law, effective January 1, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conditions of detention generally relative to correctional institutions of state and counties, so as to provide consent for the release of certain criminal history, vocational, and educational information for inmates upon release; to provide for issuance of an identification card and a Program and Treatment Completion Certificate; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, so as to provide generally for competitively fair and safe student participation in middle school, high school, and college sports; to promote fair and safe competition; to provide for equal athletic opportunities and safety; to provide for specific designations of teams operated or sponsored by local school systems, public schools, participating private schools, and postsecondary educational institutions in this state; to prohibit males from participating in interscholastic and intercollegiate competitions on teams designated as female; to prohibit females from participating in competition on intercollegiate teams designated as male, subject to exceptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-10-14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance of a new birth certificate following adoption and legitimation or paternity determination, so as to provide for the issuance of a copy of the original birth certificate to certain adult persons who were adopted; to provide for a fee; to provide for the form of such copy; to standardize terminology relating to birth certificates; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 46 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certification of private review agents, so as to provide for health insurers to implement and maintain a program that allows for the selective application of reductions in prior authorization requirements under certain circumstances; to provide for an annual filing; to provide for the promulgation of rules and regulations; 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 various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to modernize and update provisions creating certain boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 52 of Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to terminally ill patient's right to try investigational drugs, biological products, and devices, so as to expand access to individualized investigational treatments to patients who have severely debilitating or life-threatening illnesses; to provide for definitions; to provide for eligibility criteria; to provide for written informed consent; to allow certain manufacturers or eligible facilities to make available individualized investigational treatments; to provide that coverage is not mandatory; to prohibit the sanctions against a physician's license; to provide exemption to liability for certain charges; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses, so as to revise threshold amounts of fentanyl and related substances necessary to constitute the offenses of possessing, selling, distributing, and manufacturing of such substances; to revise mandatory minimum departure provisions for defendants convicted of trafficking of substances in violation of Code Section 16-13-31, relating to trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, or methamphetamine and penalties; to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to provide for conforming changes; to provide for an effective date; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.