Georgia CommonsGeorgia General Assembly
Meetings on January 29, 2026
Machine-readable: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-01-29.md
Senate Rules Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard brief presentations on cemetery protections in SB 146 and funeral director licensing in SB 239. It also revisited HB 117, which the chair described as a shrimp bill heard previously, and added SR 563 for consideration. The committee unanimously approved placing SB 239, HB 117 and SR 563 on Monday’s floor calendar. No vote or calendar decision on SB 146 was recorded.
House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee held an educational meeting on forestry, with no bills taken up or votes recorded. The Georgia Forestry Commission director described hurricane recovery, mill closures, wildfire readiness and efforts to develop new markets for timber. The director warned that fallen timber from Hurricane Helene, dry conditions and fewer markets for damaged wood were increasing fire risks. The director also reported on new firefighting equipment, landowner cleanup assistance, camera-based fire detection and coordination with other agencies. Members asked about helicopter training, firefighting methods, prescribed burning, timber markets and Forestry Task Force membership. The director estimated that new markets could take two to five years to improve conditions and offered to follow up on acreage cleared after Helene. The chair said subcommittee meeting notices would be posted later.
House Small Business Development Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved HB 704, which the sponsor described as replacing monthly reports on state architectural and engineering contracts with annual reporting on Open Georgia. Members debated whether less frequent reporting would reduce transparency and whether the bill should explicitly require a searchable dashboard. An amendment requiring reporting twice a year failed, 10 to 14. The bill passed, 15 to 10. The committee also heard business presentations arranged by the Georgia Chamber Foundation. A witness for Goud Management Group discussed state contracts, legal costs, tax credits and support for small-business participation. A witness for Compact Industries described assistance from state and business organizations, requested training for online marketplace work and better ways to introduce products to state buyers, and discussed tariffs. The chair deferred questions for the business presenters until after adjournment.
Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved two bills: HB 455, which would expand operating options and raise prize and worker-payment limits for charitable bingo, and SB 420, which would require a fishing endorsement intended to improve saltwater catch estimates and incorporate recent natural resources rules into law. Members discussed bingo restrictions, fishing-fee revenue and the date used to incorporate agency rules. Both bills received favorable votes, with no vote counts stated.
House floor session, January 29, 2026 (legislative day 9)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The House adopted HR 1008, changing the membership and terms of regional water planning councils, by a vote of 168 to 0. The sponsor said smaller councils and longer terms would help address attendance problems and improve planning. The House also heard first and second readings, received committee recommendations, and adopted a group of honorary resolutions without objection. During member remarks, speakers offered differing views on the federal seizure of Fulton County election materials, with some raising concerns about voter privacy and election interference and another defending the search as a lawful court process. The chair asked both parties’ leaders to meet about rules governing floor remarks. The House adjourned until February 2 at 10 a.m.
Senate floor session, January 29, 2026 (legislative day 9)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate read new bills, received committee recommendations and gave several bills second readings. Notices were submitted announcing minority reports on SB 395 and SB 116. The Senate adopted SR 591, recognizing Spelman Day, and heard from college representatives. During personal remarks, senators debated the federal search of Fulton County election records, discussed law enforcement and advocated for shared parenting under SB 404. No vote was taken on that custody proposal. The Senate also adopted an unnamed consent calendar of recognition resolutions and approved SR 645 after correcting a reference to a legislative officer. The chamber voted by voice to adjourn until 10 a.m. Monday, February 2.
House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved HB 980, which would create a Georgia-Ireland Trade Commission, and sent it to the Rules Committee. Members also held a hearing on HB 490, which would require human trafficking awareness training for hotel owners and employees. That discussion focused on enforcement, training records, proposed coverage of short-term rentals, and possible burdens on small rental operators. The chair said revised language would return the following week. No vote was taken on HB 490.
House Education Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard presentations on education priorities and student financial aid, then announced four bills for Monday’s subcommittee meetings. Representatives of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education discussed literacy coaching, attendance, career pathways, healthcare access and changes to the state’s school funding formula. Members questioned funding priorities, reading proficiency and the use of technology. The Georgia Student Finance Commission’s president reviewed college aid, Georgia Match and the Promise Scholarship, answering questions about eligibility, spending and oversight. The chair emphasized safety, literacy and learning as committee priorities. The chair scheduled HB 383 and HB 907 for the Policy and Innovation Subcommittee, and HB 971 and HB 1009 for the Curriculum and Academic Achievement Subcommittee. No bill votes were taken.
Senate Urban Affairs Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard SB 166, which the sponsor said would let local governments increase fines for repeated property-code violations by larger landlords. The chair said the bill would return the following week with a substitute, and no vote was taken. The committee also heard an update and public comments on homeowners’ association issues, including election transparency, fines, foreclosures and unpaid condominium utility bills. Witnesses disagreed about limiting condominium foreclosures, with some warning that unpaid assessments could threaten services for all residents. A witness requested a date change in SB 108, and the sponsor of SB 393 described proposed training requirements for association boards. No action was taken on those bills.
Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved HB 244 with a substitute and amendment after discussing simpler financial reporting options for smaller local governments, audit delays and accountability. The committee also approved a substitute for HB 521, with one opposing vote, after discussing boundary-change reporting, a deadline for cities to answer county deannexation requests and county approval of annexations in Paulding County. The chair called HB 309 but moved on when the sponsor was not present. The chair announced that SB 301 had been removed from the agenda at the author's request.
Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved HB 219, which the sponsor described as a voluntary treatment and monitoring program for nurses facing substance use, mental health or physical health problems. The committee also heard testimony on SR 482, a proposal urging the Public Service Commission to study nuclear power options. Members suggested expanding the study, and the chair requested materials and proposed changes for a future meeting. No vote was taken. On HB 232, witnesses disagreed over proposed changes to an interstate massage therapy licensing agreement. Members also questioned an increase in required training hours. At the sponsor’s request, the committee took no action, and the chair asked interested groups to continue negotiations.