HR 304: House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking; create

This resolution sets up the House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking, made up of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson. The committee is directed to study the health and financial toll of smoking, including short-term and long-term health care costs, the impact on Medicaid and Medicare, childhood health costs tied to secondhand smoke, and lost worker productivity. The committee can hold meetings wherever and whenever needed and its members receive standard legislative allowances (paid for through existing House funds) for up to three days unless more are approved. If the committee approves findings or recommendations, including possible legislation, the chairperson must file a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking, made up of five House members appointed by the Speaker.
• Directs the committee to study smoking-related health care costs, effects on Medicaid and Medicare, secondhand smoke costs to children, and lost worker productivity.
• Allows the committee to recommend legislation based on its findings.
• Sets member pay and travel allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at three days unless more are approved, funded through existing House appropriations.
• Requires a report or meeting minutes to be filed with the Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

The resolution directly affects members of the Georgia House of Representatives who will serve on and fund the committee. Its eventual findings could affect smokers, nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke, health care providers, and state programs like Medicaid and Medicare if legislation follows.

The committee itself does not change any law, but its study and potential recommendations could shape future Georgia legislation on smoking-related health costs, insurance programs, or public health policy, giving lawmakers a formal venue to examine the issue before drafting bills.

• Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking.
• Paragraph 2 sets the committee at five House members, all appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying smoking's costs and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph 4 lets the chairperson call meetings at any time or place needed.
• Paragraph 5 sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to three paid days unless extended, funded by House appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 requires the chairperson to file an approved report or, absent one, meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-04House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Third Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
4. 2025-02-21House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-20House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Michelle Au (D, HD-50)Primary sponsor
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-45)
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-27)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)

1. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

   166 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 9 excused)

   Uncontested House Resolutions: House Vote #444

• smoking and tobacco
• public health
• secondhand smoke
• Medicaid and Medicare
• legislative study committees