HR712: HR712 House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families; create

This resolution does not change any law itself. Instead, it creates the House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families to look at how possible federal budget cuts to Medicaid and food assistance (SNAP) could affect Georgians, especially low-income workers, veterans, first responders, small businesses, and rural communities. The resolution lists ideas the committee could study, such as a state emergency Medicaid fund, a state food security fund, small business tax credits for health coverage, a subsidized insurance pool, a state food purchase program, a Medicaid buy-in option, maternity care grants, and matching grants for food pantries. The Speaker of the House would appoint 11 House members to the committee and name a chairperson. The committee can meet as needed, members get standard legislative allowances, and it must file a report or disband by December 1, 2025.

• Creates an 11 member House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families, with members and a chairperson appointed by the Speaker of the House.
• Directs the committee to study the effects of potential federal Medicaid and SNAP funding cuts on Georgians and recommend legislation.
• Lists eight possible state-level protections for the committee to consider, including emergency Medicaid and food funds, tax credits, and maternity care grants.
• Sets legislative allowances for committee members under O.C.G.A. Section 28-1-8, paid from House of Representatives funds, capped at five days unless extended.
• Requires the committee to file a report with the Clerk of the House if it approves findings, or file meeting minutes if it does not.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

The resolution directly affects House members appointed to the new study committee, but its subject matter concerns Georgians on Medicaid or SNAP, low-income working families, veterans, first responders, small businesses, rural communities, pregnant women, and food assistance organizations like church pantries.

The committee's work could shape future legislation on Medicaid, food assistance, and small business health coverage if federal funding is cut. For now, no benefits, funds, or tax credits are created; the resolution only sets up a study and report process.

• Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families.
• Paragraph 2 sets committee membership at 11 House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 directs the committee to study conditions and problems described in the resolution and recommend legislation.
• Paragraph 5 ties member allowances to O.C.G.A. Section 28-1-8 and limits paid days to five unless more are authorized, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 sets rules for filing a report or, absent one, meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-03-28House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-25House Hopper (House)

• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)Primary sponsor
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)

• Medicaid
• SNAP benefits
• food insecurity
• working families
• maternal health