Sen. Nikki Merritt

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 180) commending Carmen Smith, a second-through-fourth-grade math teacher at Sugar Hill Elementary School in Gwinnett County, for being named the school's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. The resolution recognizes her 29 years of teaching experience, her innovative lesson design, and her impact on students' critical thinking skills. It has no policy effect or direct impact on constituents, as it is purely symbolic and honors her contributions to education. The Senate formally adopted the resolution on February 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 185), not a policy bill. It formally honors the life and memory of Nellie Dunaway Duke, a Georgia advocate for women's rights and longtime chair of the Georgia Commission on Women, following her death on January 28, 2025. The resolution expresses the Georgia Senate's condolences to her family and community, recognizing her decades of service including her work on the Equal Rights Amendment and her roles with the Georgia Commission on Women and local organizations. It has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or laws.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to prohibit surveillance based price discrimination and surveillance based wage discrimination; to provide for definitions; to provide for civil penalties and enforcement; to provide for exceptions; to provide for certain rule making; to provide for the promulgation of rules and regulations; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 178) formally recognizes Catherine Duncan as Lanier Middle School's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year in Gwinnett County. It commends her seven years of teaching eighth-grade math, her innovative lesson design, and her role in empowering students to think critically. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, with no new requirements or funding, and directly affects only Catherine Duncan through this official Senate acknowledgment. The Senate adopted it on February 13, 2025, directing the Secretary to provide her with a copy.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Commission for Blind and Visually Disabled Persons; to transfer the direction and supervision of the Georgia Industries for the Blind from the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to the commission; to provide for a short title; to amend Chapter 9 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, so as to establish the role of the commission in facilitating the operation by blind persons and other persons with disabilities of vending facilities on state property; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 176) formally honors Laura Wood, a Gwinnett County teacher recognized as Lanier High School's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. It acknowledges her 21 years of teaching experience, innovative classroom methods, and dedication to empowering students through critical thinking. The Senate resolution is purely ceremonial - it does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect any policies or individuals beyond this symbolic recognition. It was adopted by the Georgia Senate in February 2025.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-9-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to standards applicable to making and use of rates, so as to add census tract to the categories upon which insurers may not consider when promulgating standards or rating plans; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general insurance provisions, so as to broadly address insurer premium rate increases; to require certain disclosures; to establish a new state-run database; to require the submission of certain data in certain situations; to increase penalties; 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 Code Section 33-9-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to standards applicable to making and use of rates, so as to add census tract to the categories upon which insurers may not consider when promulgating standards or rating plans; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general insurance provisions, so as to broadly address insurer premium rate increases; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution formally commending Emily Heck, a White Oak Elementary School teacher recognized as Gwinnett County's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. It expresses the Senate's recognition of her 16 years of teaching health (K-5) and her innovative, student-centered approach to education. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it simply honors her contributions through a formal Senate commendation.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 39 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to minors, so as to provide for social media and internet safety for minors; to provide for account termination upon the request of minors or their parents or guardians; to provide for the deletion of personal information, subject to exceptions; to increase the amount of the fine for which providers of a social media platform may be liable; to create a civil remedy for minors to recover damages against providers of a social media platform; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.