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1. January 28, 2026 · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · 1 h 45 min

   Senate Health and Human Services Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard testimony and approved SB 395, which addresses physician reporting and oversight of Georgia’s low-THC oil program. Discussion focused on information sharing between state agencies, reporting requirements, and whether requiring certifying physicians to treat patients could limit access, particularly for veterans and rural residents. The committee rejected a motion to table the bill, adopted two amendments retaining twice-yearly reporting and most detailed reporting requirements, and approved the amended bill 9 to 6.

2. January 28, 2026 · House Industry and Labor Committee · 48 min

   House Industry and Labor Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved three bills for consideration by the Rules Committee. It approved HB 1015 after brief closing remarks. Members discussed whether HB 987, a voluntary portable-benefits proposal, would help independent contractors save for benefits or encourage companies to replace employees with contractors. The committee approved it after hearing supporting testimony. For HB 991, the sponsor proposed changes following discussions about workers’ compensation concerns. The committee adopted three amendments and approved the amended bill. All votes were by voice, with no numerical totals announced.

3. January 28, 2026 · House Governmental Affairs Committee · 1 h 22 min

   House Governmental Affairs Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved HB 903, which the sponsor described as expanding oversight of state agency rules, and HB 140, which would limit cities’ reliance on fines and forfeitures. For HB 140, members adopted an amendment phasing in the limits through 2030 before sending the amended bill to Rules. Both bills passed by voice vote, with no vote counts stated. The chair announced that HB 613 had been withdrawn from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee also heard from DeKalb County’s chief executive about housing affordability, rental registries and rent increases, and from a citizen urging protection of voting access and opposition to federal executive involvement in elections.

4. January 28, 2026 · Senate Finance Committee · 1 h 11 min

   Senate Finance Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee reviewed a study of Georgia’s data center tax exemption and heard proposals to end or shorten it, SB 410 and SB 408. University of Georgia researchers estimated that the incentive accounted for 30% of the state’s data center activity and generated nine cents in additional state revenue per dollar of forgone tax revenue. Labor and industry witnesses opposed changing the exemption, while another witness questioned claims about local property tax benefits. Neither data center bill received a vote. The committee approved a substitute for SB 382, which the sponsor said would make homeowner tax protections mandatory statewide and deliver sales-tax-funded property tax relief sooner. Three members voted against it; the number voting in favor was not stated.

5. January 28, 2026 · House Health Committee · 42 min

   House Health Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved an amended substitute for SB 195, which would allow trained pharmacists to provide HIV prevention medicines under physician agreements. It also approved HB 522, prohibiting denial of an organ transplant solely because of COVID-19 vaccination status, by an 11-6 vote after debate and public testimony. The committee heard HB 951, which would extend expanded prosthetic and orthotic coverage to the State Health Benefit Plan, but took no vote because an updated cost estimate was pending. The chair announced that HB 629 and HB 878 would not be heard.

6. January 28, 2026 · Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee · 1 h 43 min

   Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard updates from the agriculture commissioner, Georgia Tech and the Georgia Forestry Commission. The commissioner reported three recent bird flu outbreaks and described response costs, poultry monitoring and federal compensation. The commissioner also discussed pending USDA approval for Hurricane Helene recovery grants, hemp enforcement, farmers market repairs and budget requests for staffing, equipment and a new laboratory. Members asked about disaster aid eligibility and disease controls. A Georgia Tech representative described research on new wood products, farm robotics, rapid testing and rural computer science education. The Forestry Commission director discussed mill closures and proposals to expand wood markets through research, wood-based construction and promotion. The director estimated the closures' economic impact at 6,000 jobs and $2.9 billion. No bills were taken up or votes recorded. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

7. January 28, 2026 · House Rural Development Committee · 42 min

   House Rural Development Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously recommended passage of HB 659, which the sponsor said would extend loan repayment and financial assistance eligibility to optometrists to help address rural eye-care shortages. A Georgia Optometric Association witness clarified that the bill would not create an optometry school, although the sponsor discussed that related effort. The committee also heard from a regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about rural healthcare funding, telehealth, workforce training, nutrition and prescription drug costs. Members asked about measles, food assistance rules, microplastics and financial pressures on rural pharmacies. The director offered to provide measles information afterward. A later question about allowable grant spending under the bill was deferred for an answer outside the meeting.

8. January 28, 2026 · House Game, Fish & Parks Committee · 58 min

   House Game, Fish & Parks Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved HB 946, which the sponsor said would allow drones to locate feral hogs on private property. No opposition was heard in the voice vote. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner also gave an agency update covering storm response, park fees, outdoor access for people with disabilities, oyster farming, deer disease monitoring and game warden staffing. The commissioner urged support for HB 443 and SB 420, describing harvest reporting as part of an effort to seek a longer red snapper season. Neither received a vote. Members asked about duck season dates, deer populations, shooting range supervision and access to federally managed recreation areas. The commissioner agreed to review whether duck season could run through the end of January.

9. January 28, 2026 · Senate Public Safety Committee · 56 min

   Senate Public Safety Committee, January 28, 2026

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered SB 116, which the sponsor said would expand DNA collection to people charged with a misdemeanor or felony who are subject to an immigration detainer. Members and witnesses discussed privacy rights, county costs, duplication of federal DNA collection, and whether the wording clearly requires an existing detainer. An amendment to clarify that requirement failed, 3–4. The committee approved the substitute, 5–3, and sent it to the Senate Rules Committee.

10. January 28, 2026 · House Judiciary Juvenile Committee · 49 min

    House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, January 28, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered HB 256, which would update rights and complaint procedures for foster caregivers. Members discussed support during investigations, protections against retaliation, confidentiality and whether expanding the definition of foster parent could affect state liability. The committee adopted an amendment replacing licensing references with foster-home approval language, with no opposition recorded. Members did not vote to advance the bill. After legislative counsel requested time to draft additional language, a motion to table received a second, but no vote on that motion was recorded. The chair said the committee would revisit the measure at its next meeting if it was ready.

11. January 28, 2026 · House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee · 2 h 38 min

    House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, January 28, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee approved all three bills it considered. HB 350, allowing infant safety devices for anonymous newborn surrender, passed by voice vote after a proposed longer surrender period was withdrawn. SB 29, expanding DNA collection to arrests for certain serious violent crimes, passed by voice vote with amendments addressing judicial review, removal of DNA records and who may collect samples. Members and witnesses debated privacy, constitutional protections and collection procedures. HB 295, allowing property-owner claims against local governments over failures to enforce certain laws, passed 8-5 with two amendments. Supporters emphasized property protection and enforcement, while opponents warned of increased incarceration, costs to taxpayers and interference with housing and mental health services.

12. January 28, 2026 · Senate floor · 2 h 30 min

    Senate floor session, January 28, 2026 (legislative day 8)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate agreed to the House version of SB 148, covering outdoor learning, hunting safety instruction, school defibrillators and teacher leave, by a 50-0 vote. A motion to agree to the House version of SB 170, which replaced a homelessness council proposal with rural hospital generator grants, failed after a 27-22 vote. The Senate rejected the House version of SB 9 without objection and moved HB 377 to Government Oversight. Senators also debated constitutional rights and federal immigration enforcement while urging action on SR 605, but no vote on that resolution occurred. The Senate adopted SR 596 recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters, adopted an unnamed consent calendar of resolutions, and received bill readings and committee reports. The session adjourned until January 29 at 10 a.m.

13. January 28, 2026 · House floor · 1 h 41 min

    House floor session, January 28, 2026 (legislative day 8)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The House agreed to the Senate version of HB 443 after adopting a House amendment removing language about raw milk. The vote was 165 to 2. The sponsor said the fishing endorsement fees would support Georgia-specific fishery surveys and efforts to obtain management authority over fishing in federal waters. The House also read numerous bills and resolutions, referred new measures to committees, received committee recommendations, and adopted a group of honorary and memorial resolutions without objection. Members recognized visiting organizations and discussed addiction recovery, public safety, immigration enforcement, political violence, and community service. The House adjourned until January 29 at 10 a.m.

14. January 28, 2026 · House Rules Committee · 17 min

    House Rules Committee, January 28, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered HR 1008, which the sponsor described as changing regional water planning council membership and terms to help councils meet and conduct business. Members asked about longer terms and whether the resolution would change water policy. The committee placed it on the January 29 calendar for legislative day nine, with no opposition voiced. Members also held a moment of silence for a former committee secretary, and the chair announced the next meeting for Monday at 9 a.m.

15. January 28, 2026 · House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee · 1 h 23 min

    House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, January 28, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard updates from the agriculture commissioner and a Georgia Tech researcher, with no bill hearings or votes. The commissioner discussed bird flu response, invasive pests, hemp enforcement, farmers market repairs and security, and budget requests, including funding for a new food safety laboratory. The commissioner said disaster recovery grants were awaiting USDA approval and described financial pressures facing farmers. The Georgia Tech researcher outlined work on wood-based products, poultry automation, peanut inspection, agricultural sensors and rural computer science education. A committee member urged research into alternative cotton harvesting methods. Before adjournment, the chair asked members to review HB 947 for a possible hearing the following week and said a substitute for SB 33 was being prepared for consideration in the coming weeks.

16. January 28, 2026 · Senate Rules Committee · 9 min

    Senate Rules Committee, January 28, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered SR 563, which the sponsor described as urging the Secretary of State to participate in a Department of Justice investigation related to election integrity. No questions were asked. The committee voted to place the resolution on the Senate floor for the following day. The chair reported three votes against, with the remaining votes in favor.

17. January 27, 2026 · Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee · 1 h 09 min

    Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, January 27, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee unanimously approved amended versions of three bills: HB 571, concerning radiologist assistant licensing; SB 146, concerning cemetery protections and access; and SB 239, separating funeral director and embalmer licensing requirements. Members discussed healthcare workforce needs, procedures for moving graves and maintaining family cemeteries, and funeral industry staffing and education. Amendments updated dates in all three bills and reduced a proposed minimum size for new private cemeteries. The chair said there was not enough time to hear SB 34, concerning electric utility costs associated with data centers. The chair asked sponsors to request hearings for remaining bills.

18. January 27, 2026 · Senate Education and Youth Committee · 35 min

    Senate Education and Youth Committee, January 27, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered SB 412, which the sponsor said would let teachers and other school personnel use up to five days of accumulated sick leave each school year for personal or professional reasons, rather than three. Members discussed who could approve the leave. Witnesses from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia School Boards Association and Department of Education supported the proposal. The committee approved the bill unanimously. The chair announced that there would be no Thursday meeting and that meetings would resume the following Tuesday.

19. January 27, 2026 · Senate Children and Families Committee · 45 min

    Senate Children and Families Committee, January 27, 2026

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee considered and approved two bills. SB 402 would expand an autism screening and evaluation pilot for children in foster care. Members amended it to require annual reports beginning July 1, 2027, and to clarify that the law would be repealed after the final report, rather than an earlier annual report. The committee revisited its initial approval to make those changes, then approved the amended bill. SB 383 would update child fatality review procedures, membership recommendations, terminology and reporting deadlines. The committee approved it unanimously.

20. January 27, 2026 · House Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee · 2 h 04 min

    House Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee, January 27, 2026 (part 2)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee heard testimony on HB 998, which would remove the 2030 end date for part of Georgia’s Universal Access Fund and let additional eligible telephone companies join the program. Supporters said continued funding would protect rural phone service and providers’ access to financing. AT&T and Georgia Cable Association witnesses raised concerns about rising costs and requested more information about who still needs subsidized service. Members rejected an amendment that would instead end distributions after December 31, 2038. The committee then approved the bill. Vote counts were not stated.

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