HR 72: House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access; create

This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access, made up of 12 members: five state representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, plus seven additional appointees including representatives from medical schools, a primary care physician, a rural community oncologist, a federally qualified health center representative, and others such as cancer survivors or caregivers. The committee is directed to study problems with cancer care access in Georgia, particularly for rural and minority residents, and to look at cancer screening incentives, the economic impact of cancer care facilities, medical education programs, and workforce development for cancer care workers. It must hold four meetings, can recommend legislation, and will be abolished on December 1, 2025, after filing a report or meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access, composed of 12 members appointed mainly by the Speaker of the House.
• Directs the committee to study cancer care access problems, focusing on rural and minority Georgians, and to recommend legislation or other action.
• Requires the committee to hold four meetings and sets daily expense allowances for legislative and non-legislative members under existing state law (O.C.G.A. §§ 28-1-8 and 45-7-21).
• Requires the chairperson to file a report or meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished.
• Sets an abolishment date of December 1, 2025, ending the committee's existence after that point.

State representatives appointed to the committee, medical and public health school representatives, primary care physicians, rural oncologists, federally qualified health center staff, cancer survivors, hospitals, caregivers, and navigators who may serve on or provide input to the committee, and Georgians who rely on cancer care services.

The resolution does not change any law itself, but it sets up a formal process for lawmakers and health experts to study gaps in cancer care, particularly in rural and minority communities, which could lead to future legislation on screening, workforce, or funding for cancer care.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at 12: five legislators appointed by the Speaker, plus seven others with specific backgrounds in medicine, rural oncology, and patient advocacy.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying cancer care access issues and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (4) requires the chairperson to call four meetings.
• Paragraph (5) sets member expense allowances tied to existing state law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 and § 45-7-21) and caps allowances at three days unless additional days are authorized.
• Paragraph (6) requires the chairperson to file an approved report or, absent one, meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
• 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. 2025-02-28House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
4. 2025-01-30House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-01-29House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-27)Primary sponsor
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-82)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-53)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-13)

1. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

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

   Uncontested House Resolutions: House Vote #444

• cancer care
• rural health care
• health care access
• study committee
• health workforce