---
title: Georgia House and Senate meetings on February 23, 2026
collection: meetings
id: meetings:day:2026-02-23
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23.md
date: 2026-10-23
status: active
corpus_version: meetings-2026-10-23-8c15ead0f18d
license: Machine transcript and summaries by Georgia Commons from the General Assembly's public video; the video stays on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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date: 2026-02-23
count: 19
---

# Georgia House and Senate meetings on February 23, 2026

## House Judiciary Committee, February 23, 2026

5 h 02 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166509674. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-judiciary.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved HB 1365, HB 1364 and HB 688, along with amended versions of HB 1221 and HB 1348. These measures concerned an additional superior court judge, timeshare foreclosures, delivery of court documents, homeowners’ association collection practices and court-appointed receivers’ pay. Much of the meeting focused on HB 1223, which would restrict public access to recordings depicting death. Members heard arguments about family privacy, commercial use of footage, news reporting and public oversight. The committee adopted several amendments but rejected a proposed news-media exception. With another amendment still unresolved, the chair postponed further work until Wednesday at 1 p.m. No final vote on that bill occurred.

## Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 02 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166778278. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-veterans-military-and-homeland-security.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard SB 190, concerning state park fee relief for military members, veterans and families. The sponsor and veteran witnesses emphasized affordability and mental health benefits from outdoor access. Members discussed eligibility, existing discounts and possible lost revenue for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Although a motion and second were made, the committee did not vote. The chair held the bill pending a fiscal analysis and said it would lead the next meeting’s agenda. The chair announced that HB 108 and HB 985 would not be heard because their authors were still working on language.

## Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee, February 23, 2026

46 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166499796. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-natural-resources-and-the-environment.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved all three measures on its agenda. It unanimously approved HB 983, which the sponsor said would clarify rules for prescribed forestry burns, and SR 480, a resolution recognizing the southern pine beetle threat and encouraging forest management practices to limit its spread. The committee also approved HB 115, which the chair described as helping address abandoned vessels along the coast, without a stated vote count. Separately, a Georgia Forestry Commission representative reported that crews had held a wildfire near Folkston to about 600 acres overnight and were continuing to work on it. The representative also described how the commission’s newer helicopter supported firefighting and could transport personnel and equipment.

## House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 23, 2026

40 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166675787. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-judiciary-juvenile.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved a substitute for HB 1283 after reviewing changes to Family Justice Center board requirements, nonprofit arrangements, discovery obligations and insurance language. The committee also approved SB 383, which the sponsor described as an update to local child fatality reviews, with a stronger focus on preventing future deaths. Members asked about school representation, longer reporting deadlines and day care participation. Both bills passed by voice vote, with no opposition heard.

## Senate Education and Youth Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 13 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166485547. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-education-and-youth.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved SB 425, requiring cursive handwriting instruction, and SB 497, requiring parental notification and school records for certain noninstructional student services. Members questioned the timing and learning needs involved in cursive instruction. On parental notification, witnesses raised concerns about student privacy and whether reporting requirements could discourage children from seeking help. Seven members voted in favor of SB 497, and opposing votes were acknowledged without a count. The committee postponed SB 475, concerning charter school funding and a proposed change to school district consolidation petitions, until the next day's meeting so members could clarify amendments.

## House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 33 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166681210. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-rules.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard requests to advance bills on education, insurance, courts, public safety, taxes and other subjects. Members questioned proposed SNAP eligibility checks, mandatory jail time for fleeing state officers, environmental review thresholds and scholarship rules for students with disabilities. The committee placed eight bills on the next day's House calendar: HB 310, HB 372, HB 385, HB 971, HB 1009, HB 1023, HB 1123 and HB 1193. No opposition was heard to those calendar decisions. The committee also sent HB 376 back to Ways and Means and HB 1112 back to Banks and Banking without opposition. The other requests did not receive calendar votes in this meeting. The chair announced another Rules meeting for the following morning at 9:00.

## Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, February 23, 2026

14 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167421872. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-agriculture-and-consumer-affairs.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered SR 800, which would create a joint House and Senate study committee on keeping family farms economically viable across generations. Members discussed farm bankruptcies, farm visits and holding study committee meetings at farms. The committee approved the resolution unanimously by voice vote, with no opposition voiced, then adjourned.

## Senate Public Safety Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 16 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167379095. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-public-safety.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered four bills. It approved SB 454, allowing temporary emergency door-locking devices under safety requirements, with one opposing vote. It heard extended testimony on SB 473, covering DUI education, fees, assessments and driving-permit requirements, but postponed further testimony and action until Wednesday. Members and witnesses raised questions about online classes, assessment costs and education requirements when DUI charges are reduced. The committee unanimously approved SB 501, updating Safety Fire Commissioner powers and procedures, after a grammatical amendment. It also unanimously approved SB 527, requiring sheriff candidates to be certified peace officers when qualifying to run.

## House Higher Education Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 26 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167390669. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-higher-education.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard six bills and voted to recommend passage of a substitute for HB 1293, which concerns high school completion opportunities through technical colleges and completion schools. The committee also heard proposals on veterinary technician loan forgiveness, scholarship eligibility after a marijuana conviction, University of North Georgia military scholarships, short-term workforce training grants, and school discrimination complaints. Those five bills received no vote. The chair planned further consideration Wednesday, including additional testimony on HB 1363 after participants discovered they were working from different drafts.

## House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 23, 2026

3 h 07 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167457012. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-judiciary-non-civil.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved nine bills covering vehicle obstruction of law enforcement, firearm suppressors, sexual exploitation of vulnerable adults, interstate travel for child molestation, reckless stunt-driving vehicle forfeiture, sexual-assault evidence retention, zoo animal protections, controlled-substance scheduling and drug possession around children. Members debated whether existing laws already covered vehicle obstruction and whether removing state suppressor restrictions would hinder police responses to gunfire. The committee amended the stunt-driving proposal to require conviction before forfeiture and amended the child-endangerment proposal to address lawful medications and medical cannabis. Four other bills were postponed until Wednesday. All nine approved bills were sent to Rules, with no numerical vote totals announced.

## House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, February 23, 2026

25 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1166096956. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-technology-and-infrastructure-innovation.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved substitutes for two bills. For SB 177, the presenter outlined changes to definitions, reporting deadlines and an exemption tied to federal law. Members split 4–4, and the chair broke the tie in favor, sending the bill to the Rules Committee. For HB 1230, the chair described a substitute combining two sections and incorporating previously discussed recommendations. The committee approved that substitute by voice vote. Members asked no substantive questions about either bill.

## House Health Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 45 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167366750. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-health.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved nine bills covering healthcare licensing, treatments, insurance coverage and payments. Members approved HB 1295, HB 1275, HB 326 and HB 1138 with amendments, and approved a substitute for HB 1122. They also approved HB 1292, HB 1278, HB 1374 and HB 1236. Discussion focused on protecting existing stem cell research, access to contraception, liability protections, and whether requiring Georgia-licensed professionals to review insurance denials could affect costs and delays. Members initially tabled HB 1138 over liability concerns, then brought it back and approved it after removing civil liability protections. Two opposing votes were reported on HB 1275.

## Senate Health and Human Services Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 00 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167462775. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-health-and-human-services.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved a substitute for SB 535 to change oversight and operations of community service boards, and approved SB 500 to expand health care workforce data collection. Members heard testimony from people affected by Prader-Willi syndrome about care needs and barriers to services, then unanimously approved SR 567 after changing the proposed awareness designation to a day at the Capitol. The committee also approved a substitute for SB 439, regulating referrals to assisted living communities and personal care homes, by an 8-1 vote. Discussion focused on referral fees, disclosure to families, contract deadlines and whether referral agencies should have to check facilities’ inspection information.

## House Regulated Industries Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 48 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167466368. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-regulated-industries.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee advanced nine measures covering coin-operated amusement games, funeral services, professional licensing, massage business hours and study committees. It approved HB 1197 on amusement games and tournaments, HB 1305 on home inspector licensing, and HB 1254 on reorganizing professional oversight. Members amended HB 1392 to require one casket at funeral establishments, rather than the proposed four, and approved HB 892 restricting overnight massage business hours after updating its date. The committee also approved revised study committees under HR 752 and HR 952. It rejected a proposed landowner liability amendment to SB 146 before approving the cemetery protection measure, then approved SB 239 to separate funeral director and embalmer licensing.

## Senate Finance Committee, February 23, 2026

1 h 09 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167392487. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-finance.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate Finance Committee held hearings on SB 522 and SB 515 without voting on either. SB 522 would add a daily rental-car fee, with some revenue intended for tourism marketing. Supporters argued for more tourism promotion, while rental-car representatives raised concerns about costs to Georgia residents, businesses and state agencies. The chair said the committee would recheck the financial estimate. SB 515 would extend and revise a teacher tax credit. The committee requested a financial estimate, participation figures and further review of the program’s expiration date. The chair also briefly took up SB 306, but the meeting adjourned without a vote.

## House Ways & Means Committee, February 23, 2026

3 h 14 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167430828. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-ways-and-means.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: Ways and Means subcommittees advanced bills on conservation credits, one-time income tax refunds, education donations, small-business health benefits, construction sales tax refunds, property assessment notices and taxation of airport property. They also held first hearings on overtime and tip tax relief, homeowner foreclosure protections, airport funding, taxation of large rental-home owners, senior property tax protections, utility inventory exemptions and hospital sales taxes, without voting on those proposals. Discussion included concerns about condominium finances, rental housing costs, airport operations and funding for local hospitals. Two scheduled bills were held for later consideration. The full committee then approved HB 565, described by the chair as increasing available public-school tax credits.

## House Governmental Affairs Committee, February 23, 2026

2 h 33 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167467915. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-governmental-affairs.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard proposals on workforce coordination, homelessness services, public officials’ financial interests, housing and local school superintendents. It approved HB 1396, approved HB 1362 with an amendment extending restrictions to federal agencies and departments, and approved HR 1348. Members heard HB 1166 without voting and requested revisions addressing concerns about its scope. The committee amended HB 1177 to raise its income limit, then tabled it while another amendment remained unresolved. The opening portion covered HB 1302, but the transcript shows no vote on that proposal.

## Senate Judiciary Committee, February 23, 2026

3 h 04 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167426827. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/senate-judiciary.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved four bills and held one for more work. Members unanimously approved a substitute to SB 470 addressing signal jammers, an amended SB 327 adding a sixth superior court judge in the Clayton Judicial Circuit, and SB 202 establishing reciprocal evidence-sharing rules for misdemeanor cases. After extensive testimony about constitutional protections, religious freedom and effects on Muslim Georgians, the committee approved SB 486 on foreign laws and tribunal decisions, 4 to 3, with the chair breaking a tie. The committee held SB 499 after members questioned removing enhanced penalties involving firearms equipped with silencers. Funding for the additional Clayton judgeship remained an issue for the budget process.

## House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, February 23, 2026

50 min. Video: https://vimeo.com/1167501721. Twin: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-23/house-agriculture-and-consumer-affairs.md

Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved five bills for Rules: HB 158 on a statewide trade-name database, HB 1201 on smoke detectors in new homes, HB 1224 on automatic contract renewals, HB 1301 on criminal-history information in employment background checks, and HB 1195 on veterinary advice provided remotely. No opposition was heard in those voice votes. The committee added two amendments to HB 1301 addressing cleared offenses and sealed records. Members also held a hearing on HB 996, which would establish ongoing reporting on food access. Questions focused on rural grocery access, which stores would count, and the staffing and cost of preparing reports. No vote was taken on that bill.