HR1657: HR1657 House Study Committee on Medicaid Waiver Populations and Long-Term Financial and Administrative Sustainability; create

Medicaid waiver programs let Georgia use federal Medicaid funds with extra flexibility to serve specific groups, such as older adults, children with complex medical needs, and people with disabilities who need long-term services and supports. This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Medicaid Waiver Populations and Long-Term Financial and Administrative Sustainability to look closely at how these programs are financed and run. The Speaker of the House would appoint five House members to the committee, one of whom would serve as chairperson. The committee could hold meetings wherever and whenever needed, and members would receive standard legislative allowances under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to three days unless more are approved. If the committee approves findings or recommendations, the chairperson must file a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Medicaid Waiver Populations and Long-Term Financial and Administrative Sustainability.
• Directs the Speaker of the House to appoint five House members to the committee and designate one as chairperson.
• Authorizes the committee to study Medicaid waiver populations and services and recommend legislation it finds necessary.
• Sets legislative pay and expense allowances for committee members under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at three days unless extended.
• Requires any approved report or recommendations to be filed with the Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026.

The resolution directly affects members of the Georgia House of Representatives who may be appointed to the committee, and indirectly affects Medicaid waiver beneficiaries such as older adults, children with complex medical needs, and people with disabilities, along with state agencies that administer these programs.

The study could shape future legislation on how Georgia funds and administers Medicaid waiver services for vulnerable populations, but the resolution itself does not change any Medicaid rules, funding levels, or eligibility standards; it only sets up a temporary committee to study the issue and report findings.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Medicaid Waiver Populations and Long-Term Financial and Administrative Sustainability.
• Paragraph (2) sets the committee at five House members appointed by the Speaker, with one designated chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) gives the committee authority to study Medicaid waiver issues and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) covers funding, stating legislative members get standard allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at three paid days absent further authorization, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-16House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-12House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-10House Hopper (House)

• Alan Powell (R, HD-033)Primary sponsor
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Demetrius Douglas (D, HD-078)

• Medicaid waivers
• long-term care
• disability services
• state government study committees