Georgia CommonsGeorgia General Assembly
Meetings on January 12, 2026
Machine-readable: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-01-12.md
Senate floor session, January 12, 2026 (legislative day 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate opened the session by seating two newly elected senators and electing a president pro tem without objection. Members approved resolutions notifying the House and governor that the legislature had convened and arranging a joint session to hear the governor’s message. The Senate adopted the session schedule in HR 998 by a 51–0 vote, after questions about changing dates and accommodating religious holidays. Members also returned calendar measures to committees and removed measures from the table by unanimous consent. A senator gave notice of intended action on SB 204 for the next legislative day, but no vote on that bill occurred. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. on January 13.
House floor session, January 12, 2026 (legislative day 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The House opened the 2026 session, welcomed three new members and recognized visitors and the team that renovated the chamber. Members approved notices that the legislature had convened and scheduled the governor’s State of the State address for January 15 at 11 a.m. The House adopted HR 998, setting the full 40-day session calendar, by 150 to 27 after questions about religious observances and minority-party input. Members also ordered its immediate transmission to the Senate. The House withdrew HR 949, heard first and second readings of legislation, and adopted five recognition and memorial resolutions without objection. Members observed a moment of silence for a deceased colleague before adjourning until January 13 at 10 a.m.
House Health Committee, January 12, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard testimony only and took no votes. A Northside Hospital cardiologist requested more funding for the Office of Cardiac Care, particularly for rural hospital grants and staffing. Two independent pharmacists said insurance payments below their costs threaten pharmacy access and called for changes to pharmacy benefit manager practices. A Ninth District Opportunity Head Start director described barriers to children’s medical, dental and vision care and urged higher Medicaid payments and easier enrollment. A Children’s Care Network representative sought faster sharing of patient information, fewer payment and credentialing delays, and clearer planning for changes in Medicaid managed-care companies. A Georgia CORE representative reviewed cancer-care study recommendations, including expanded screening, rural workforce support and access to clinical trials. The chair said work was underway to simplify dental sedation permits and noted that many cancer-care recommendations would require funding.