Georgia CommonsGeorgia General Assembly
Meetings on February 4, 2026
Machine-readable: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-04.md
Senate Rules Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard brief presentations on six bills covering cemetery protection, licensing, vehicle registration, unclaimed property, dry needling and election oversight. Members unanimously approved sending SB 239, SB 403 and HB 414 to the Senate floor. The transcript shows no calendar action on the other three bills.
House Appropriations Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: Appropriations subcommittees reviewed and approved recommendations covering education, transportation, health care, human services, public safety and other state programs. The full committee then approved HB 973 by committee substitute on a voice vote, with no opposition heard. The presenter described a $42.3 billion amended budget, including $850 million for homeowner property tax relief, one-time employee pay supplements, transportation projects, scholarships and expanded health and correctional services. A committee member asked whether the Department of Human Services deficit would be fully funded, and the presenter confirmed that it would.
Senate floor session, February 4, 2026 (legislative day 12)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate read and referred new bills, received committee recommendations and gave four bills second readings. A senator disputed how remarks during committee discussion of SB 171 had been characterized. The Senate then agreed to attend a joint session for the Chief Justice's State of the Judiciary address and to adjourn afterward until February 5 at 10 a.m. The Chief Justice urged support for judicial independence, nonpartisan probate judge elections, access to legal help and judicial security. The joint session was dissolved by voice vote. No vote on passage of a bill appears in the transcript.
House floor session, February 4, 2026 (legislative day 12)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The House held first and second readings of bills and resolutions and received committee recommendations, including a recommendation to pass HB 973 by substitute. During a joint session, the chief justice discussed judicial independence, court workloads, access to legal help, artificial intelligence and judicial security, and urged passage of HR 251 to make probate judge elections nonpartisan. The House also adopted a group of honorary resolutions without objection. Members recognized visiting groups and commemorated victims of the 1971 Thiokol plant explosion. No floor vote on passage of a substantive bill appears in the transcript. The House adjourned until February 5 at 10 a.m.
House Higher Education Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard an update from the Georgia Student Finance Commission and held a hearing on HB 1064, which would add the Classic Learning Test (CLT) to state education and scholarship provisions. The commission’s president reviewed financial aid, direct admissions, college completion grants and the Promise Scholarship. The chair deferred questions on that presentation because of limited time. The bill’s sponsor and supporting witnesses emphasized testing choice and alignment with classical education. Committee members and witnesses raised questions about score comparisons, scholarship eligibility, research and test security. No vote was taken. The chair said the committee would resume discussion the following Wednesday and reopen testimony.
House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard two bills and took no votes. Members questioned why HB 434 would move provisions on selling children into the criminal code, how it would affect adoptions, and whether recent prosecutions showed a need for the change. The chair tabled it pending more information. The committee also heard HB 943, which the presenter described as a five-year autism screening and evaluation pilot for children in foster care. Members discussed earlier progress reports and support for families before children enter foster care. The chair requested work on reporting language and said the bill would return at a later meeting.
Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved SB 435, which the sponsor said would restore “Agricultural” to the Georgia Development Authority’s name to reduce confusion about its lending role. The vote was unanimous. The committee also approved HB 163 after changing its proposed restaurant disclosures. Members voted 5–3 to remove plant-based meat alternatives from the bill, then approved language covering printed menus, electronic menus and placard displays. The discussion focused on consumer information, restaurant compliance burdens, inspections and enforcement. The chair announced unanimous passage of the amended bill and said it would go to the Rules Committee, although a voice expressed opposition during the final vote.
House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered two bills. HB 949 would restrict unauthorized drone launches and landings on agricultural land. Members questioned how it would interact with existing trespass law and federal control of airspace. The chair held it until the following Wednesday so those questions could be addressed. HB 986 would raise the permitted speed of personal delivery devices from 4 to 7 miles per hour and require sound throughout movement rather than only when approaching. Members asked about injuries, insurance and noise. The committee approved a do-pass motion by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
House Industry and Labor Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard testimony on HB 574, which would remove state workers’ compensation coverage for workers covered by the federal maritime program. Supporters said requiring only one system would reduce employers’ insurance costs and support port growth. Opponents said losing access to Georgia’s system would leave injured workers waiting much longer for disputed benefits and asked for more study. Members questioned witnesses about delays, insurance savings, attorney fees and employers’ protection from lawsuits. A motion to table the bill failed, with four members voting in favor of tabling. The committee then approved a do-pass motion by a show of hands. The final vote count was not announced.
House Governmental Affairs Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved two bills. HB 1066 would protect established racing facilities from certain nuisance claims within five miles. Members debated the size of that area, residents’ access to courts and whether protection should cover nuisances other than noise. Amendments to reduce the radius and limit protection to noise claims failed, and the bill passed by voice vote. HB 1027 would allow participating local governments to make retail electricity contracts lasting up to 20 years rather than 10. The sponsor said longer contracts would help recover infrastructure costs from large customers. It passed with no opposition voiced. The chair initially announced HB 166, but the presentation that followed concerned HB 1066; no substantive discussion of HB 166 followed.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously recommended passage of two measures, both with substitutes. SR 684 recognizes American Heart Month and was revised to refer to the State Capitol rather than the State of Georgia. SB 427 would create a supervised licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians. Members discussed qualifications, immigration concerns, physician shortages, oversight and eligible workplaces. Medical board representatives answered questions, and two witnesses supported the physician licensing proposal.