Sen. Nikki Merritt

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to require the Department of Insurance to implement a certain insurance affordability program in response to the pending expiration of certain Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act tax credits; to provide for definitions; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; 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 increase the amount of tax credits available for qualified caregiving expenses; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION to commemorate the Equal Rights Amendment as the law of the land; to ratify a proposed Amendment to the United States Constitution; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2A of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Public Health, so as to repeal and reserve Article 2, relating to positive alternatives for pregnancy and parenting grant program; 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 Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to speed detection devices, so as to repeal all laws relative to enforcement of speeding violations in school zones through the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; to provide for conforming changes; to prohibit a local governing body or law enforcement agency from entering into or renewing a contract that provides for enforcement of laws relative to speeding violations in school zones through the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 191) recognizes Georgia's stark racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, specifically highlighting that Black women in Georgia are almost three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Hispanic white women. It cites Georgia's high maternal mortality rate - nearly double the national average - and notes that 34.6% of Georgia counties are "maternity care deserts," limiting access to essential services. The resolution acknowledges systemic racism in healthcare as a key factor in these disparities and emphasizes that preventable deaths and complications are prevalent. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new policies or funding but formally calls attention to these statistics to support future health equity efforts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 193) formally commends Troy Taylor, founder of ZuCot Gallery in Atlanta, for his contributions to the arts. It recognizes his work transforming the gallery into the largest African American fine arts gallery in the southeastern U.S., focusing on living African American artists and fostering community engagement. The resolution has no policy impact - it is a ceremonial tribute with no legislative effect.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 194) honoring Carleen Cumberbatch as the 2025 Distinguished Older Georgian. It recognizes her decades of volunteer work and advocacy for seniors in DeKalb County, including founding the South DeKalb Senior Line Dancers and serving on multiple aging-related boards. The resolution formally commends her contributions but does not create new laws or policies. It was adopted by the Georgia Senate on February 18, 2025, and directs the Senate Secretary to provide a copy to Ms. Cumberbatch.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade, so as to provide broadly for private entities that employ certain AI systems to guard against discrimination caused by such systems; to provide for a description of consequential decisions for which use of automated decision systems shall be regulated; to provide for exemptions; to provide for trade secret protections; to provide for rule making; to provide for certain disclosed records by developers and deployers to be exempt from open records requirements; to provide for enforcement by the Attorney General; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 177) symbolically commends Anne-Marie Trent, a first-grade teacher at Sycamore Elementary School in Gwinnett County, as the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. It recognizes her 25 years of teaching experience, innovative lesson plans with real-world applications, and her focus on empowering students to think critically. The resolution formally honors her contributions to education within Gwinnett County Public Schools but does not create any new laws or alter policies. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect and solely serves to publicly acknowledge her achievements.