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Found 81 matching documents.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee · February 19, 2026
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, February 19, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee unanimously approved HB 945, covering suspected financial exploitation, cryptocurrency kiosks and litigation financing oversight, and SB 441, requiring state approval of certain local government investment pools. The committee also held a hearing on SB 424, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender and establish oversight for storage and electronic payments. Supporters described it as a way to protect purchasing power and make gold easier to use. Opponents questioned the need for state involvement and raised concerns about competition, taxpayer risk and consumer confusion. No vote was taken on that proposal. The chair planned further consideration and a vote on Tuesday.
Yes, it will. Under current scenario, yes. Because that is an account that's in your- Federal taxes? Federal and state taxes. Okay, so if we do this, then y- you wouldn't have to pay federal taxes? State tax. Federal tax. State. We would have to pay federal still under current scenario. It would be long-term capital gains, depending upon how long you kept...
And wouldn't it be the same thing as if we- Oh, and one more, one more. I'm sorry. Yeah. Okay. The third is- Okay ... we, why establish a new hierarchy to oversee this when you've got a perfectly good banking department right now? If we were to pass this, the banking department, you'd have to give them some money to do it, but they're already set up. Why...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 27, 2026 · Engrossed
"Transactional Gold and Silver Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would recognize gold and silver as legal tender in the state, create a Bullion Depository Commission to run a storage and electronic payment system, and exempt gold and silver transactions from state taxes.
(c) The rules and regulations established pursuant to this Code section shall ensure: (1) The bullion depository is: (A) Secure; (B) Transparent to account holders; and (C) Accessible for use by any person; (2) The electronic payment system is: (A) Reliable; and (B) Complies with applicable state and federal laws and rules and regulations promulgated...
SECTION 3. Said chapter is further amended by adding a new article to read as follows: "Article 2 50-5A-20. The General Assembly finds that: (1) Several states have introduced or enacted legislation recognizing transactional gold and silver; (2) The use of gold and silver as legal tender has a historical basis in fostering economic stability and individual...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Insurance and Labor Committee · February 24, 2026
Senate Insurance and Labor Committee, February 24, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee considered three insurance bills. Members voted to advance SB 503, concerning property-damage guarantees offered through rental-home marketplaces, although discussion after the vote left the final count unclear. The committee heard SB 528, which would extend orthotic and prosthetic coverage requirements to state-sponsored health plans, and SB 509, which would require chest imaging coverage after a mastectomy or other cancer treatment. Neither health coverage bill received a vote. The chair said both would return for consideration Thursday. Questions focused on consumer protections, insurance oversight, coverage costs and who determines whether additional imaging is medically necessary.
Thanks, Senator. We, we don't see it as weaker protections. Um, and, and you, you mentioned, uh, the understanding there. It is required in the bill that it's, uh, clearly stated that this is not insurance, so everyone understands that. That's one of the consumer protections in the bill as well. But it would work, it really works alongside your homeowner's...
... to get people to use their platform 'cause they're, it's a, it, it's a added benefit for the renter. The person renting the property through their platform, it's an added benefit. Yes, Senator. We see it as giving peace of mind to a homeowner. I know I would like to have that peace of mind. And, and, uh, you, you've touched on this as well in your...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 20, 2026
Senate floor session, March 20, 2026 (legislative day 35)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed measures on extended-stay hotel removals, nursing grants, high school completion programs, portable benefits for independent contractors, firefighter safety, mental health facility background checks, utility inventory tax exemptions and other topics. The longest debate concerned HB 61, which passed 32-18 after senators adopted a compromise on notice before removal and eviction records, but rejected proposals to give long-term hotel residents tenant rights. The Senate also adopted two state-property resolutions, approved reconsideration of two previously rejected constitutional amendments, and received committee reports and bill readings. A proposed amendment protecting patients from midyear insurance network changes was ruled unrelated to the bill under consideration. Senators honored a retiring committee chair and heard remarks from the U.S. Treasurer. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, March 23.
Families, single moms perhaps who can't afford the high security deposit. Maybe they don't have the, the money to put down two months or three months rent in a place. Um, extended stay is an option for them as a bridge to get them from point A to point B. Uh, in many cases, people need temporary lodging. They might have a lease that's ending on a certain...
As I alluded to earlier in my questioning with the senator from the 14th, the landlord-tenant relationship is a covenant. Um, tenants put down a security deposit, one month, two months, in some cases, three months, uh, and they, they sign agreements, uh, that they're gonna be there typically for a longer period of time. Typically, although there are...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee · March 26, 2026
Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee, March 26, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee took up six local measures and broader proposals on Augusta-Richmond County government, coroners and retiree health coverage, police departments and development permits, financially troubled cities, and property-owner compensation. Members approved SB 628, amended and advanced HB 646, HB 309 and HB 1166, and approved HB 295 after extensive testimony. Supporters of HB 295 sought relief for property owners harmed by local nonenforcement of laws. Opponents warned of litigation costs and harm to housing and homelessness services. An amendment barring class-action lawsuits failed, as did a motion to table that measure. The committee also approved several local measures, although the chair did not explicitly announce results for every local voice vote. The chair described this as the committee’s final meeting of the two-year legislative session.
Does the business owner, excuse me, does the business owner have taxing power? Does the business owner have taxing power? Does the business owner have the power to levy ad valorem taxes to fund a security guard? No. Does the business owner have the ability to charge sales taxes? They'll, they'll have a tax ident. The taxing power belongs to, to, to local...
I'm just asking questions about this particular point of view. I will tell you, if you're, as a business owner, I know you are one, if you had to demonstrate all the elements that are required to prove this plus this plus this plus this plus this to win one of these cases, there's a lot that's gotta be proven to do this. There, there really is. I think...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Rules Committee · March 3, 2026
Senate Rules Committee, March 3, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard brief presentations and selected a large slate of bills and resolutions for the Senate calendar, approving the slate with one dissenting vote. Topics included retirement systems, schools, insurance, property owners’ rights, public safety and taxes. The committee referred HB 1199 to its standing committee after the chair said disputed policy should be removed from the annual tax conformity measure. That referral also passed with one opposing vote. SB 540 remained on hold at its sponsor’s request. A sponsor requested consideration of SB 327, but the transcript does not show it being selected for the calendar. The chair announced that the next Rules meeting would be Thursday and that the standing committee would meet Monday after crossover.
Um, let's do Senate Bill 503, Mr. Chairman. Senate Bill 503. All right. Let me go back here. 503. All right, Senator Anavitarte.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee · February 23, 2026
Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): 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.
I'm Steven McNeel II. I'm the deputy campaign director for the Sierra Club's Military Outdoors campaign. Raquel Durden, retired US Army combat veteran and nonprofit leader for veterans. Media Barnett, US Air Force veteran, nonprofit leader of the VetSpace. Okay. And basically, we just wanted to present, uh, Senate Bill 190. Basically, this bill encompasses...
Uh, that bonding matured into an opportunity to serve others in this position in the outdoors, and to see the scientific, uh, uh, help, the tangible changes that it makes in people. And see the careers, and how it can keep people here. And what we can do in Georgia and across the nation as we create jobs. We have thousands of Georgia in places like Fort...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee · February 24, 2026
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, February 24, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee continued its hearing on SB 424, which the sponsor described as allowing gold and silver to be used as money through regulated storage and electronic payments. Members questioned fees, fraud protection, investment risks, lost tax revenue and the need for state involvement. Witnesses supported recognizing gold and silver as legal tender but differed over the proposed depository system and the state's role. The committee voted 5–3 to advance the bill to Rules.
One last concern I wanted to have- Quickly. Quickly ... around cybersecurity is that the current government standards for cybersecurity are based on NIST standards, National Institute of Science and Technology standards for cybersecurity. Uh, my master's degree is from a private military college in which that's what I was trained on. My, uh, focus was...
It's been wonderful. It's helped us balance our budgets. It's helped us, um, uh, have a, a stable economy. And so all of those portions of this bill, I'm very much in favor of, and so I'm speaking in favor of that. We would like to see, um, that recognition, uh, that the Constitution, as, um, the senator pointed out, um, says in Article 1, Section 10, that...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 10, 2026
Senate floor session, March 10, 2026 (legislative day 30)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed HB 945 unchanged, 50-0, after rejecting an amendment concerning denial of banking and other essential services based on constitutionally protected activities. Senators also passed HB 244 by substitute, 48-2, and HB 115, 51-0. The Senate adopted HR 1008 to change regional water council membership and SR 771 to study adoption affordability. It received HB 974 and assigned it to Appropriations, adopted a memorial resolution and a consent calendar of resolutions, and heard committee reports. Visiting federal officials discussed small businesses, agriculture and hurricane assistance. A senator gave notice of plans to consider House action on SB 59 on the next legislative day. The Senate adjourned until March 12 at 10 a.m.
Think for a minute about your friends in your communities that are bankers. You go to church with them. You see them at the deer stand and the quail field. You see them at the grocery store. You see them at your kids' baseball games. And I got a question for you, and you know them. You know the bankers in your community. One question: Are they woke? I don't...
Once a transaction hold has been placed, the financial institution must initiate an investigation. If the results of the investigation do not indicate financial exploitation, the institution may consummate the transaction at the conclusion of the investigation. However, if the investigation is not concluded but continues to look like financial exploitation,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee · March 17, 2026
Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, March 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved three bills: HB 979, allowing the state to accept jurisdiction over cases arising on federal installations, with an amendment limiting the measure to people under 18; HB 1087, waiving permit fees for qualifying disabled veterans’ home modifications; and HB 985, clarifying military cemetery eligibility and extending eligibility to certain Hmong veterans. Members debated the scope and need for HB 979, including how military, federal and state courts handle cases. Opposition was voiced in the vote on that bill, but no vote counts were announced. The other two bills passed by voice vote without audible opposition.
Veterans Committee, and, uh, we got three bills on the agenda today, HB 979, HB 1087, and HB 985. And they all belong to the Chairman of Veterans in the House, uh, Josh Bonner. And so, uh, before we start, uh, my friend, would you lead us in a word of prayer? Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Got a lot of friends here, you guys. That's fine. Uh, if you bow with me,...
Now we'll move on
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 4, 2026
Senate floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed measures on outdoor conservation funding, retirement benefits, rental-home guarantees, condominium insurance, student political expression, school discrimination complaints, campus police protections, specialty license plates and cursive instruction. It also passed SB 406, establishing oversight of property owners associations, after adopting two amendments. Senators rejected amendments addressing broader religious-discrimination language, excused absences for civic events and local rent regulation. A road-naming resolution was adopted, while SR 668, concerning property taxation of data-center equipment, was set aside. The Senate confirmed a group of governor’s appointments 44-7 and tabled one nomination. Numerous bills received first or second readings. The chamber adjourned until 9 a.m. Friday, March 6.
Secretary will read SB 503. Senate Bill 503 by Senators Harbison of the 16th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to kinds of insurance, limits of risk, and reinsurance so as to exempt rental home marketplace guarantees from the definition of property insurance, to require...
You do have one question, Senator. I'm sorry. Recognize the senator from the 41st. Thank you, Mr. President. B- Back here, Senator, do you yield? Yes. Thank you. Was trying to figure out where you were. Yes. Um, thank you, sir. I just wanna make sure, is it true that this is requiring the homeowner to have an additional insurance, um, product to protect...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee · March 2, 2026
Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved three bills. SB 299 would allow active-duty service members to use remote online notaries for certain documents. SB 555 would allow certain veterans’ spouses and Gold Star parents to enter a Georgia War Veterans’ Home as private-pay residents, while preserving veterans’ priority. Both were sent to Rules. The committee also heard testimony supporting SB 190 from veterans who described the benefits of outdoor recreation and removing financial barriers to park access. Members approved an amendment removing active-duty service members from that proposal, then approved the substitute as amended. No numerical vote counts were announced.
Mm-mm. Otherwise, we stand adjourned. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you, members of the committee. Thank you. Thank you for stepping up. I wasn't ready for this.
My name is Ed Harbison and I'm sitting in temporarily for the Chairman Payne, who is, uh, otherwise engaged on the second floor. So we're just glad to have you back again today. And what we're going to do, because I'm not quite, uh, uh, up to date on the actions, uh, anticipated by the chairman on the 190 bill, I just want... we'll, we'll make that, we'll...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · March 2, 2026 · Passed
City of Cochran Public Facilities Authority; create
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Senate bill would create the City of Cochran Public Facilities Authority, a state-chartered entity that can build and finance public buildings for the city using revenue bonds instead of city or state debt.
SECTION 12. Revenues, earnings, rents, and charges; use. (a) For the purpose of earning sufficient revenue to make possible the financing of the construction of the project or projects of the authority with revenue bonds, the authority is authorized and empowered to fix, revise, and collect rents, fees, and charges on each project which it shall cause to be...
(d) Such rental contract or lease may obligate the tenants or lessees to indemnify and save harmless the authority from any and all damage to persons and property occurring on or by reason of the leased property or improvements thereon and to undertake, at the expense of the tenants or lessees, the defense of any action brought against the authority by...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee · March 24, 2026
Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, March 24, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved two bills concerning veterans. Most of the meeting focused on HB 108, which the sponsor described as protections for veterans using paid benefits consultants. Members and witnesses debated fees, veterans’ access to alternatives to free services, and whether consultants must have federal accreditation. The committee added an accreditation requirement by a 6-4 vote, then approved the amended bill 8-1. The committee also approved HB 632, which the sponsor and the Department of Veterans Service commissioner said would clarify eligibility and procedures for disabled veterans’ business tax and fee exemptions. That bill passed by voice vote.
Order. A little bit late, sorry. The other meeting I was in ran a little late. So, um, we have two bills today. We- I think we've heard both of these before. Is that right, Representative Bonner? Uh, no, 632.
Yeah. Now quickly, if you could run through- Keep it left. Keep it left
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · March 12, 2026 · Passed
"Barrow County Public Facilities Authority Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 621 creates the Barrow County Public Facilities Authority, a new government body that can build public facilities, borrow money through revenue bonds, and manage them on behalf of Barrow County.
SECTION 8. Trust indenture as security. In the discretion of the Authority, any issuance of revenue bonds may be secured by a trust indenture by and between the Authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without this state. Either the resolution providing for the issuance of the...
SECTION 10. Trust indenture as security; validation. Revenue bonds and the security therefor shall be issued, confirmed, and validated in accordance with the provisions of the Revenue Bond Law. The petition for validation shall also make Barrow County party defendant to such action if the county has contracted with the Authority for services or facilities...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · February 19, 2026
Senate floor session, February 19, 2026 (legislative day 21)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate read newly introduced bills and resolutions, assigned them to committees, received committee recommendations, and gave several measures a second reading. The chair said there were no bills on the day's rules calendar, and no bills received a final passage vote. The Senate adopted SR 590, recognizing Lupus Advocacy Day, and an unidentified group of resolutions on the consent calendar. Several senators spoke in support of SB 536, a newly filed voting-rights proposal, but no vote on it occurred. Other remarks addressed prison deaths, firearm safety, community events, and memorial tributes. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on February 20.
Senate Bill 529 by Senators Merritt of the 9th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 3 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to negligent security so as to exempt a certain- Judiciary.
Senate Bill 522 by Senator Echols of the 49th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 13 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to excise taxes on rental motor vehicles. Finance.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · January 28, 2026
Senate floor session, January 28, 2026 (legislative day 8)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): 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.
Senate Bill 429 by Senators Dickerson of the 21st and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to landlord and tenant in general so as to- Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security.
Florida this year signed over, and they now have transactional gold, that their people are going to be able to own gold as a hedge against inflation and what's going on with our debt. Currently, we have $37 trillion in debt, and we are seeing this. We are seeing inflation at a way we've never seen it before. But making it practical is having the ability to...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 18, 2026 · Introduced
"Justice For Epstein Survivors Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill named for Jeffrey Epstein survivors would let victims of sexual offenses, and victims under 18 or 65 and older, sue property owners for negligent security outside the state's usual exclusive-remedy limits.
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Justice For Epstein Survivors Act."
SECTION 2. Article 5 of Chapter 3 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to negligent security, is amended by revising subsection (a) of and adding a new subsection to Code Section 51-3-53, relating to limitations on liability, to read as follows: "(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b), and (c), and (d) of this Code...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 16, 2026 · Introduced
"Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; transparency and fairness with respect to rent pricing for residential properties; encourage
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would require landlords to disclose the full rental price upfront and would ban hidden fees when renting residential property, treating violations as unfair or deceptive business practices under state consumer law.
SECTION 2. Said part is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "10-1-393.22. (a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) 'Clearly and conspicuously' means a disclosure that is easily noticeable and easily understandable by an ordinary consumer and displays any total rental price more prominently than any other pricing...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 6, 2026
Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed bills on home inspector licensing, gold and silver payments, cancer care, school funding and consolidation petitions, firearm silencers, veterans’ park fees, military retirement credit, and notices in civil lawsuits. Proposed constitutional amendments on data center property taxes and statewide grand juries failed to receive the required two-thirds support. A bill changing voting equipment and election procedures also failed. The Senate tabled a monument protection bill after two amendments were presented. A senator gave notice of plans to seek consideration of House changes to SB 179 on the next legislative day. The Senate adjourned until 1 p.m. Monday, March 9.
Thank you. Article 1, Section 10 says that g- states cannot create, uh, pr- currency, but they can have a gold and silver depositories. And that means that the state has authority to hold gold and silver in the depository that they, they regulate or can regulate. We have currently Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana who all have passed legislation...
So this bill allows individuals, if they choose, to hold value in gold or silver through a secure depository and electronic payment system backed by physical assets. That is like the gold standard that, uh, we always had in place through 1971. It does not require anyone to use it, but it does provide another tool for hardworking families who wish to hedge...
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