Georgia CommonsGeorgia General Assembly
Meetings on February 2, 2026
Machine-readable: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-02.md
Senate Rules Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee returned SB 116 to a standing committee so the sponsor could make changes. It reviewed SB 146, concerning access to family cemeteries, but did not select it for the next day's floor calendar. Members also discussed homeowner property-tax provisions in SB 382 and coastal fisheries management under SB 420. The committee unanimously approved a calendar placing SB 382 and SB 420 before the Senate the next day.
House Banks & Banking Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered a substitute for HB 945, presented as the Department of Banking and Finance’s annual housekeeping bill. Discussion focused on allowing banks and credit unions to pause suspected fraudulent transactions involving older or disabled adults, regulating cryptocurrency kiosks, and strengthening oversight of litigation financing. Members asked about banks’ liability, employee training, kiosk transaction limits and refunds, and whether financial institutions would use the optional holds. The committee approved a do-pass motion by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and adjourned.
House Rules Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard presentations on bills covering health care, local government, courts, workers, veterans and other issues. Members questioned limits on using COVID-19 vaccination status in transplant decisions and a proposal allowing property owners to seek relief over local governments’ failure to enforce laws. The committee placed HB 557, HB 659 and HB 960 on Monday’s floor calendar without objection. It also placed HB 350, HB 946 and HB 999 on Tuesday’s calendar without objection. No calendar action was shown for the other proposals presented.
House floor session, February 2, 2026 (legislative day 10)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The House passed HB 1029, two bills adding superior court judges, HB 557 and HB 960, and HB 659, which would expand rural healthcare financial assistance to optometrists. Members adopted SR 645 to hold a joint session for the State of the Judiciary address on February 4. After an objection and a recorded vote, the House moved HB 1063 to the Special Committee on Resource Management. The clerk also read numerous bills and resolutions, and members adopted a group of honorary resolutions. Members held moments of silence for deceased law enforcement officers and a former House member, recognized community service and Black History Month, and adjourned until February 3 at 10 a.m.
Senate floor session, February 2, 2026 (legislative day 10)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate passed HB 117, requiring restaurants to identify foreign imported shrimp, by a vote of 43 to 8. After extended debate over legal requirements, voter privacy and federal involvement in elections, the Senate adopted SR 563, urging the Secretary of State to provide voter registration information to the U.S. Department of Justice, by 31 to 22. The Senate returned SB 239, concerning funeral director licensing, to the Rules Committee without objection. Senators also adopted SR 639, recognizing Clark Atlanta University Day, heard bill readings and committee reports, and approved a consent calendar of resolutions whose individual measures were not identified in the transcript. During personal remarks, senators discussed insurance costs, honored a fallen Gwinnett County police officer and raised concerns about political violence and federal election investigations. The Senate adjourned until February 3 at 10 a.m.
House Regulated Industries Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee recommended passage of HB 632, which the sponsor said would clarify disabled veterans’ eligibility for exemptions from local business taxes and fees and make the process consistent statewide. The committee also considered a substitute for HB 504 concerning optional vehicle value protection agreements. Members questioned consumer protections, especially requirements to return to the selling dealer to receive benefits. The committee approved an amendment requiring separate signed consent to that condition, but the chair suspended further action so members could work on unresolved concerns. No final passage vote occurred on that bill.
House Health Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered three bills. Members unanimously approved a substitute for HB 629 concerning school automated external defibrillator (AED) programs and bleeding-control training. The committee heard testimony on HB 326, which the sponsor said would give qualifying nonopioid pain medicines coverage no less favorable than opioids under the State Health Benefit Plan. No vote was taken, with wording, implementation details and a fiscal note still being worked on. The committee also held a hearing on HB 1002, which the sponsor said would move Medicaid coverage for foster children from managed care to direct fee-for-service payment. Members discussed access to treatment, provider availability and possible costs. The chair requested a fiscal note before further discussion, and no vote was taken.
Senate Public Safety Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved SB 384, offering optional five-year vehicle registration, HB 77, addressing drivers approaching funeral processions, and HB 549, extending the period for reimbursement of officer training costs. The committee also approved HB 61 by an 8-2 vote after discussing removal of unauthorized property occupants and hotel guests. Members raised concerns about families living in hotels who fall behind on payments, while the sponsor emphasized property owners’ rights. The chair announced that consideration of SB 399, concerning automated external defibrillators, was postponed until February 18 so interested witnesses could attend.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered SB 411, which addresses who may perform dry needling, training requirements and advertising restrictions. The sponsor presented a substitute and answered questions about the difference between dry needling and acupuncture and whether patients could still bring malpractice claims. No witnesses signed up to speak. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote, which the chair described as unanimous.
Senate Finance Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved SB 403, which the sponsor said would simplify returning unclaimed property, after adding language requested by credit unions. It unanimously approved HB 79, covering a firearm training and safe-storage tax credit and a four-day state sales-tax holiday for firearms and related purchases. The committee also discussed SB 408, which would end a data-center equipment sales-tax exemption earlier. No action was taken on that bill. The chair said the committee needed more information about another exemption that could limit the revenue gained from the change.
Senate Ethics Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved a substitute for HB 414, which would let the State Ethics Commission seek information from out-of-state groups involved in Georgia elections. Two members were recorded as opposed. Members also heard testimony on SB 422, which would move most municipal elections to even-numbered years and extend affected officials’ terms by one year. Supporters emphasized turnout and possible savings, while opponents raised concerns about local control, longer terms, election administration and reduced attention to local issues. After members split 5-5 twice, the chair broke the tie in favor of advancing SB 422.