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1. February 12, 2026 · House floor · 2 h 33 min

   House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The House marked Georgia Day and the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence with historical presentations and guest recognitions. Members adopted HR 999, encouraging anniversary observances, 162 to 0. The House passed HB 998 on rural telephone service, 161 to 2; HB 983 on prescribed burning, 162 to 0; HB 948 on foreclosure disclosures, 161 to 0; and SB 195 on pharmacists providing HIV prevention medicines, 155 to 7. Members also passed 13 uncontested local bills together, 158 to 0, heard first and second readings and committee reports, and adopted a group of honorary resolutions without objection. The House adjourned until February 17 at 10 a.m.

2. February 12, 2026 · Senate floor · 6 h 29 min

   Senate floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate passed two income-tax proposals and matching versions placed into House bills. SB 476 passed 32 to 18 after extended debate over tax deductions, business incentives, state revenue and the absence of a written fiscal analysis. SB 477, an alternative based on gradual rate reductions, passed 31 to 14. The Senate also passed HB 134 and HB 463 after replacing their original provisions with the respective income-tax proposals. Supporters said the plans would help families meet rising costs. Opponents warned of budget shortfalls, reduced services and future tax increases. The Senate approved committee reassignment of SB 282, read and referred other legislation, and adopted recognitions for the Georgia Aquarium and a retiring Feeding Georgia executive director. The chamber adjourned until February 17 at 10 a.m.

3. February 12, 2026 · House Natural Resources & Environment Committee · 49 min

   House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, February 12, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved a substitute to HB 320, which the sponsor said would require recycling solar panels at the end of their useful lives. The substitute removes a proposed recycling-facility directory maintained by the Environmental Protection Division. The committee also received a briefing from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) on water and energy financing. GEFA’s executive director described loan programs, home energy rebates and plans for natural gas infrastructure loans. Members asked about PFAS treatment costs, access to funding for metro Atlanta communities and whether GEFA could meet local demand. Agency representatives said available resources cannot cover all requests and discussed other financing options. No action was taken on the briefing.

4. February 12, 2026 · House Education Committee · 1 h 49 min

   House Education Committee, February 12, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved three measures: HB 1193, a substitute expanding early literacy instruction and support, passed unanimously; HR 145, a resolution urging expanded school vision and hearing screenings, passed by voice vote; and HB 310, a substitute creating a pilot program of grants for eligible student teachers and incentives to teach in Georgia public schools, also passed by voice vote. Members discussed literacy staffing and costs, student promotion and retention, coordination of health screenings, and whether teacher incentives should target high-need subjects or locations. No further amendments were adopted during the meeting.

5. February 12, 2026 · Senate Government Oversight Committee · 1 h 06 min

   Senate Government Oversight Committee, February 12, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved HB 485, which the sponsor described as updating state law and removing unfunded or unconstitutional provisions without changing policy. The committee also approved a Senate substitute for HB 377 requiring local governments to select certain design professionals based on qualifications before negotiating fees for projects of at least $1 million. Supporters argued the process would improve safety and prevent costly gaps in project plans. Witnesses for ACCG and Fayette County opposed making it mandatory, citing local flexibility, staffing limits and the value of comparing prices. The chair counted two opposing votes; the number in favor was not stated. The chair also announced an upcoming review of an audit concerning the State Victims’ Services Commission.

6. February 12, 2026 · Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee · 1 h 10 min

   Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, February 12, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee held hearings on SB 458, which would license home inspectors, and SB 34, which would protect electricity customers from costs associated with serving data centers and other large electricity users. Members questioned the home inspector bill’s training and education requirements while expressing interest in liability insurance and other consumer protections. The sponsor agreed to work on revisions. Discussion of the electricity bill centered on whether contract requirements alone would protect customers or whether a broader restriction on shifting costs was needed. The chair postponed a decision to review competing substitutes and obtain further input from Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission. Neither bill received a vote.

7. February 12, 2026 · Senate Rules Committee · 19 min

   Senate Rules Committee, February 12, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved a substitute for SR 744, correcting a hometown spelling and clarifying that the recognition concerns an event at the Capitol. It unanimously moved SB 437 to the standing committee for changes. After hearing presentations on several proposals, the committee unanimously selected SB 143, SB 369 and SB 452 for the Senate calendar. Other presentations covered retirement benefits, medical cannabis program communication, magistrate court claims, insurers’ use of aerial images, school mask policies and bingo rules. A member questioned support among magistrate judges for raising the court’s claim limit. A question about which state law enforcement officers would qualify for increased retirement contributions remained unanswered.

8. February 11, 2026 · House Governmental Affairs Committee · 1 h 14 min

   House Governmental Affairs Committee, February 11, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee advanced all five agenda bills: HB 913 on government software contracts, HB 1066 on racetrack nuisance claims, HB 1130 on campaign-funded security, HB 1133 on financing solar projects at closed landfills, and HB 1180 on removing a housing authority bond limit. The racetrack substitute passed 9 to 8 after debate over property owners’ access to courts, changes in racing operations and local authority. The other bills passed by voice vote, with no opposition recorded. During public comment, two witnesses opposed ending Georgia’s participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center, citing concerns about costs, voter records and data security. No action followed those comments.

9. February 11, 2026 · House Industry and Labor Committee · 1 h 02 min

   House Industry and Labor Committee, February 11, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair announced that HB 1119 would go to an advisory council and would not be considered this year. Most of the meeting was a Department of Labor briefing. The commissioner outlined plans to modernize unemployment systems, improve customer service and connect people with jobs. Members asked about veterans, career center locations, appeals, employee advancement, worker misclassification, workforce shortages and data sharing. Department staff described audits and penalties for misclassification, and the commissioner said the governor’s budget recommended 12 additional tax auditors. The commissioner also said the unemployment insurance trust fund was about $1.5 billion below the federal solvency benchmark and discussed options to strengthen it. No bill votes were recorded.

10. February 11, 2026 · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · 1 h 30 min

    Senate Health and Human Services Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved both bills it considered. SB 440 would update Department of Public Health laws by removing outdated requirements, inactive advisory groups and unused positions. The sponsor and a department representative said active services would continue. SB 462 would address surprise bills for out-of-network ground ambulance transportation. Supporters said its payment rules would protect patients and help fund ambulance services. A health insurance industry witness supported protecting patients from balance bills but questioned the proposed reimbursement rate and raised a possible state cost under newly announced federal rules. Members discussed patient costs, which insurance plans would be covered and how ambulance payments would be calculated before approving the bill.

11. February 11, 2026 · House Game, Fish & Parks Committee · 15 min

    House Game, Fish & Parks Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee took up and approved two bills by voice vote, with no vote counts stated. The sponsor of SB 420 described fishing-related fees as a way to improve fishery data and support Georgia’s effort to gain more control over coastal fishing management. The bill also included Department of Natural Resources rule updates. The sponsor of HB 1266 proposed removing a 9.9-horsepower motor limit on a section of the Ogeechee River. The chair reported community support for that change and said the department had no objections.

12. February 11, 2026 · House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee · 40 min

    House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard three bills. It held hearings without votes on HB 478, which would require disclosures on AI-generated commercial content, and HB 1230, which would restrict drone operations at prisons and jails. The chair planned to revisit both the following week and said the Public Safety Committee had been invited to join the discussion of HB 1230. Members raised questions about enforcement, penalties and protecting lawful drone use. The committee also considered a revised version of HB 949 targeting specified drone activities over agricultural land. After questions about emergency landings, penalties and landowners’ own drone use, the committee approved that bill by voice vote and sent it to Rules.

13. February 11, 2026 · House Rural Development Committee · 59 min

    House Rural Development Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee held a hearing on HR 656, which would create a House study committee on expanding homeownership opportunities. The sponsor, committee members and witnesses discussed large investors buying single-family homes, competition for starter homes, construction costs and rural housing shortages. Witnesses supported further study while offering different approaches, including increasing housing supply, changing regulations and using tax policies rather than ownership limits. The discussion also covered HB 555 and objections to its proposed ownership caps. The chair designated the meeting as hearing only, and no vote was taken.

14. February 11, 2026 · House Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee · 25 min

    House Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved two bills. HB 1087 would waive local permit fees for disabled veterans making home renovations to accommodate a disability. Members asked about eligibility, local government input and whether the proposal covered developments for veterans. A Georgia Realtors witness supported the bill. HB 1184 would end honorary promotions for retiring Georgia National Guard officers. A Georgia Department of Defense representative said some retirees were improperly wearing honorary ranks on federal uniforms, creating confusion and enforcement work. Members asked about the program’s purpose, benefits and penalties. The committee passed the second bill unanimously.

15. February 11, 2026 · Senate Finance Committee · 1 h 25 min

    Senate Finance Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate Finance Committee advanced three measures: SB 432, extending colleges’ authority to carry certain funds into future years, unanimously; SR 668, allowing separate property-tax rates for manufacturing property and data centers, by an 8-4 vote; and SB 446, putting Georgia’s participation in a federal scholarship tax-credit program into state law, with no vote count announced. The committee rejected an amendment to the scholarship measure that would have excluded schools still seeking accreditation. Members also heard SB 436, concerning public access to data-center water and electricity information and a proposed one-year pause on large data centers. That measure received a hearing only, with no vote.

16. February 11, 2026 · House Higher Education Committee · 1 h 52 min

    House Higher Education Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee voted to recommend passage of HB 419, concerning campus access to opioid overdose medication; HB 385, allowing unused HOPE eligibility to support graduate or professional study; and HB 541, extending tuition equalization grants to students at a nursing school. All three moved to the Rules Committee by voice vote, with no opposition heard. The committee held first hearings without votes on HR 6, concerning multiple state investment funds, and HB 203, requiring public historically Black university graduates on the Board of Regents. Members also continued reviewing HB 1064, concerning recognition of the Classic Learning Test. Speakers disagreed about score comparisons, test safeguards and financial effects. The chair requested more information and took no action on that bill.

17. February 11, 2026 · House Judiciary Juvenile Committee · 1 h 10 min

    House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved both bills after making changes. HB 943 would establish an autism screening, evaluation and treatment pilot for children in foster care. Members added the committee chair to those receiving progress reports. HB 1061 would create a planning committee to examine how Georgia could move 17-year-olds into juvenile court jurisdiction, without changing the age rules now. Witnesses discussed rehabilitation, public safety, costs and detention capacity. Members approved earlier deadlines for that planning work, then passed the bill. No opposing votes were voiced on either bill’s final passage.

18. February 11, 2026 · House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee · 1 h 28 min

    House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, February 11, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered four measures and recommended passage of each: HR 1243, proposing a dedicated statewide 911 fund; HB 967, creating grants for bullet-resistant protection in law enforcement vehicles; HB 1128, improving benefit notices for incapacitated workers and injured officers; and HB 1161, requiring drivers being pulled over to move right when safe. Members discussed how 911 funding would be distributed, whether smaller police departments would receive vehicle-protection grants, and how traffic-stop rules would address unsafe stopping locations and driver confusion. The chair announced unanimous approval of HB 1128.

19. February 11, 2026 · Senate floor · 2 h 14 min

    Senate floor session, February 11, 2026 (legislative day 17)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate passed SB 400, concerning oversight of private postsecondary schools, by a 48-1 vote, and SB 444, requiring human clinical review before certain insurance coverage denials, by a 49-0 vote. The chamber moved SB 398 to the bottom of the calendar after the chair said its sponsor had left for an emergency. Senators also received bill readings and committee reports, adopted recognition resolutions concerning congenital heart defects, family and consumer sciences, and the Georgia National Guard, and approved an unnamed consent calendar of resolutions. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. on February 12.

20. February 11, 2026 · House floor · 3 h 15 min

    House floor session, February 11, 2026 (legislative day 17)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The House passed bills on delivery robots, completion schools, incest law, high school athlete compensation and oversight of executive agencies. Members also agreed to Senate changes to HB 117, concerning seafood labeling, and HB 414, concerning campaign finance rules. The House adopted HR 251, proposing a statewide vote on nonpartisan elections for probate judges. All recorded floor measures passed, with vote totals reported below. The session also included first and second readings, committee reports, recognition of the Georgia National Guard and other visitors, and adoption of honorary resolutions. The House adjourned until February 12 at 10 a.m.

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