SR851: SR851 Georgia Senate; creation of a life sciences caucus; encourage

This resolution does not create a law but expresses the Georgia Senate's support for forming a life sciences caucus, an informal group of senators who would meet to learn about and discuss the life sciences sector. That sector includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and agricultural biotechnology. The resolution lays out reasons the Senate considers this sector important, including its role in the state's economy, workforce, research universities, and public health. It resolves that Senate members encourage the caucus's creation and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. It does not fund the caucus, set membership rules, or require any state agency to act.

• Formally encourages Georgia Senate members to create a life sciences caucus, an informal group for education and discussion.
• States the Senate's view that the life sciences sector matters to the state's economy, workforce, and public health.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create any new law, funding, regulation, or requirement; it is a statement of encouragement only.

Georgia state senators, who would potentially join the proposed caucus, and by extension life sciences companies, research universities, academic medical centers, technical colleges, and workforce partners the caucus would engage with through briefings and site visits.

If senators form the caucus, it could give lawmakers more direct exposure to life sciences industry leaders and issues, potentially shaping future legislation on research funding, workforce training, or industry regulation, though the resolution itself makes no binding changes.

• The whereas clauses describe the life sciences sector's scope, covering biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and agricultural biotechnology.
• The resolved clause has the Senate encourage creation of a life sciences caucus as a bipartisan forum for legislator education and dialogue.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2026-02-25Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-24Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)Primary sponsor
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)

• life sciences industry
• Georgia Senate caucus
• biotechnology
• economic development