Georgia CommonsGeorgia General Assembly
Meetings on February 18, 2026
Machine-readable: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-18.md
Senate Rules Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved substitutes for SB 437 and HB 521. Discussion of SB 437 focused on correcting language about virtual building inspections and whether the changes would affect small counties that use outside inspectors. The presenter of HB 521 described consistent annexation and deannexation reporting requirements and a provision expanding one Cherokee County city's council from four members to six. No members of the public spoke on either bill. The chair said there would be no Rules calendar for the following day and that the vice chair would lead the next committee meeting.
Senate Appropriations Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved SB 392, which the sponsor described as restoring requirements for agencies to rebuild their budgets from the ground up at least once every 10 years. Members questioned how detailed those reviews would be and how lawmakers would enforce them. The committee also unanimously approved HB 973, the amended state budget. The chair highlighted funding for a new mental health hospital, prison capacity, roads and tax relief. Members asked about a Department of Human Services funding shortfall and reduced funding for a proposed higher-education financial aid program.
House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved a substitute for HB 947, which the sponsor described as an effort to reduce SNAP payment errors, strengthen fraud investigations and protect the state from federal cost increases. Members questioned documentation requirements, possible interruptions in food benefits, staffing and technology needs. Retail representatives supported the changes, while advocacy witnesses raised concerns about asset checks and documentation burdens. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote with no opposition heard and sent it to Rules. The chair announced that HB 1195 and SB 33 would be delayed while work on those bills continued.
House Human Relations & Aging Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered HB 1238, which would require a federal Medicaid waiver request to help provide respite care and related support for young people with complex behavioral health needs. Members asked about costs, federal approval, provider capacity, family training and services after age 21. A Carter Center witness supported the proposal. The committee voted unanimously to recommend passage without amendments.
Senate Transportation Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee held a hearing on SB 511, which the sponsor described as protecting boat passage through streams, including those classified as non-navigable. Supporters said it would clarify existing passage rights and protect outdoor recreation businesses. Opponents said it would take away private property rights and could interfere with farming and privately managed trout streams. The chair requested a legal opinion on the competing interpretations of Georgia law. No amendment or vote was recorded, and the hearing ended without a decision on the bill.
House Ways & Means Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee took up eight measures and voted to advance each by voice vote, with no vote counts announced. Members considered transferable forestry tax credits in HB 1085, education savings changes in HB 962, historic rehabilitation credits in HB 376, taxpayer phone-number protections in HB 874, and a deduction for farm assistance payments in HB 1159. The committee also advanced HR 1178 and HB 1156, a proposed constitutional change and related legislation for local homeowner tax relief. Members amended SB 59 to set application and award deadlines for reforestation tax credits before approving it.
House Creative Arts & Entertainment Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard HB 566, which the sponsor described as protecting people against unauthorized digital copies of their voices and likenesses. Members asked about enforcement, existing contracts, liability for individuals and platforms, and removal of unauthorized content. A witness representing music industry organizations supported the proposal. The sponsor and witness said revisions were still being prepared, and members did not all have the same draft. The chair called for further work and another discussion. No vote was taken.
House Rules Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard presentations on HB 1113, HR 1113 and HB 320, then handled committee referrals and set the day's floor calendar. It returned HB 18 to Health, HB 949 to Technology and Infrastructure, and HB 1191 to Motor Vehicles without stated opposition. The chair corrected a mistaken reference to HB 966. The committee placed eight listed bills on the floor calendar without stated opposition: HB 419, HB 541, HB 943, HB 964, HB 970, HB 1096, HB 1182 and HB 1202. A reference to HB 97 did not lead to a clear decision in the transcript. No vote was shown on the three bills presented at the start.
Senate floor session, February 18, 2026 (legislative day 20)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate passed three measures: SB 432, extending public colleges’ authority to carry unused revenue into later years, by 47-0; SB 446, putting Georgia’s participation in a federal scholarship donation tax-credit program into state law, by 31-21; and SB 462, addressing unexpected out-of-network ambulance bills, by 51-1. Debate on SB 446 focused on parental choice, school accountability, accreditation, eligibility and whether public school students would be excluded. The Senate also read new legislation and committee reports, adopted recognition resolutions, and welcomed a newly elected senator. Members gave personal remarks on community events, education, cold-case investigations and election administration. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. on February 19.
House floor session, February 18, 2026 (legislative day 20)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The House passed eight bills covering a legal cross-reference correction, soil amendments, public health employees’ leave, fire department tax exemptions, student-athlete physicals, autism screening for foster children, nursing tuition grants and opioid overdose medication on college campuses. Members adopted committee substitutes for seven of those bills. The House also read new legislation and committee reports, transferred HB 1296 to the Defense and Veteran Affairs Committee, and adopted a group of honorary resolutions. A committee-transfer motion for HB 800 was approved, but the chair’s announcement differed from the transfer requested. Members recognized visiting groups and held moments of silence. The House adjourned until February 19 at 10 a.m.
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved two bills: HB 1265, which the sponsor described as requiring jail time based on miles traveled while fleeing specified state law enforcement agencies, and a substitute for HB 1080, which would establish a public safety grant fund. Discussion of HB 1265 included concerns about overlapping criminal laws, unequal treatment and how pursuit mileage would be counted. It passed by voice vote with opposition and was sent to Rules. The substitute for HB 1080 passed by voice vote with no opposition heard. The committee then adjourned, with plans to reconvene for a joint meeting with the Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee.
House Higher Education Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee held first hearings on two bills and took no votes. HB 1293 would make the Dual Achievement Program permanent, expand it statewide for ages 18 to 22, add a funding formula for support services, and phase out new enrollment of 16- and 17-year-olds. Members asked about disability accommodations, access to completion schools, and whether younger students would lose options. SB 400 would strengthen oversight of private postsecondary schools, restrict unaccredited degree offerings, and change protections for students when schools close. Members asked about accreditation, exemptions, financial guarantees, and appeals. The chair held both bills for another hearing and said the committee might meet again before the following Wednesday.
House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard HB 1283, which would create a voluntary framework for family justice centers bringing victim services together in one location. The sponsor and supporting witnesses said the centers could reduce barriers to help, improve prosecutions and prevent violence. Members asked about costs, rural access, partnerships, records and insurance. A criminal defense organization raised concerns about defendants’ access to evidence. The committee approved amendments concerning state funding and insurance protections, but questions remained about nonprofit requirements and evidence-sharing language. With time running out, the chair tabled the bill and asked for a revised version for a future meeting. No final vote to advance the bill occurred.
Senate Public Safety Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved SB 433, concerning voluntary autism identification plates and police training; SB 482, adding requirements for requests for booking photographs and law enforcement videos; and SB 399, coordinating automated external defibrillator (AED) information with 911 dispatchers. The committee also approved SB 468 after adopting changes requested by the Department of Community Supervision, with one member opposed. That discussion focused on reporting and monitoring requirements for homeless registered sex offenders and changes to risk classifications. The chair postponed hearings on SB 454 and SB 473 until Monday at 1 p.m.
House Judiciary Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved six bills: HB 1208 on certified court reporters at depositions, HB 1185 on business court and shareholder claims, HB 664 on older homeowners associations joining state law, HB 792 on magistrate court claim limits, HB 1160 on wrongful death filing deadlines, and HB 1024 on bankruptcy homestead exemptions. Members amended the magistrate court bill to set a $25,000 limit and clarified a legal reference in the wrongful death bill. Two proposed changes to the shareholder bill failed. The committee held HB 1243, which would expand researchers’ access to criminal justice data, after witnesses raised privacy concerns and possible conflicts with state and federal law.
House Special Rules Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard three measures. HB 1013 would designate lemon pepper as Georgia’s state chicken wing flavor. The sponsor described it as a way to recognize Georgia culture and promote restaurants and tourism; no vote was taken. The committee approved HR 1204, a resolution recognizing lung cancer awareness, by voice vote. The committee also held a hearing on HB 1082, which would establish Victims of Communism Day and require instruction in certain high school courses. Two witnesses supported that bill, with one urging more guidance for teachers. No vote was taken on HB 1082.
House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee, joined by members of the Public Safety Committee, discussed HB 1230 and proposals to strengthen restrictions on drones around prisons and jails. The chair held the bill for further drafting without a vote. The committee approved a substitute for HB 949 removing a restriction on drone photography and video over agricultural land while retaining other restrictions, including livestock harassment. The bill returns to Rules. The sponsor introduced a substitute for HB 478, but members did not have copies. The chair postponed that discussion to a later meeting and said the substitute would be emailed to members.
Senate Finance Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee discussed three bills. Members reviewed a substitute for SB 410 that would end data center tax exemptions earlier and restrict access to a separate computer equipment exemption. Members disagreed about changing incentives for businesses already in Georgia, and the committee held the bill for more work without a vote. The committee approved a substitute for SB 430 clarifying that military museums can qualify for tourism funding from hotel and motel taxes. The committee also heard SB 26, concerning cost-of-living adjustments to the military retirement income tax exemption, but took no vote. The chair said further discussions with the Department of Revenue were needed.
House Health Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved seven measures: HB 1192 on health and human services funding oversight, HB 810 on pharmacy reimbursements, HB 951 on orthotic and prosthetic coverage, HB 1002 on Medicaid coverage for foster children, HB 1211 on colorectal cancer screening coverage, and two study committees. The longest discussion concerned HB 1002, with supporters describing treatment delays and state health officials explaining that provider enrollment, prior approvals and medical necessity requirements would remain under fee-for-service Medicaid. That bill passed with opposition, but no clear vote count was announced. The committee also approved HR 592 to study physician noncompete agreements and HR 948 to study pharmacy benefit managers, amending both resolutions to change their end dates from 2025 to 2026.
House Governmental Affairs Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved all five bills it considered: SB 51, HB 502, HB 1129, HB 1247 and HB 963. Members amended SB 51 to delay its effective date to July 1, 2027. Discussion covered local government contracting, voting access for people with young children, limits on enterprise zones, courts’ treatment of agency interpretations of law, and foreign money in referendum campaigns. The longest debate concerned HB 1247, including questions about judicial independence, agency expertise and possible appeals. A motion to table that bill failed before the committee approved it. Opposition was heard on the voice votes for SB 51, HB 1247 and HB 963, but no vote counts were stated.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard SB 428, which would authorize the Department of Community Health to seek a federal Medicaid waiver for community services for adults with serious mental health or substance use needs. Members questioned eligibility, costs, oversight and connections to jails. The committee unanimously adopted an amendment clarifying that eligibility factors could apply in combination, then unanimously approved the amended bill and sent it to Rules.
Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered a revised version of SB 447, which the chair said would speed up permit decisions, improve transparency and protect applicants. Members discussed review deadlines, exceptions for state-agency review, and replacing automatic permit approval with refunds and possible legal liability when local governments miss deadlines. One member raised concern about having little time to review the substitute. The committee approved the substitute 5-2.