Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Canine Assistants Reggie and Dory inviting belly rubs under the Gold Dome on Wednesday.

It was dogs, docs, and dollars under the Georgia Gold Dome on Wednesday. At the Capitol, Legislative Day 16 marked the convergence of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day, Physicians Day, and Amended FY24 Budget Day. Each brought its own following, but the first drew the most attention — and belly rubs. Children’s Canine Assistants Reggie and Dory were in the building as ambassadors for CHD Day, and lawmakers and lobbyists all agreed that the stress of legislative work would be greatly reduced by a permanent General Assembly therapy dog program. We’ll get to work on that budget ask.

Speaking of the budget, the House signed off on its version of the Amended FY24 spending plan on Wednesday. Details on what is in (and out of) the budget and the day’s other actions in this #GoldDomeReport.

In this Report:

• House Passes Amended FY24 Budget
• Floor Notes
• Committee Reports
• New Legislation
• What’s Next

House Passes Amended FY24 Budget

The House of Representatives signed off on its version of the Amended FY24 Budget on Wednesday by a 161-2 vote. HB 915, the amended spending plan, is set with a revenue estimate of $37.5 billion and this revenue estimate includes $2 billion in surplus funding or a total infusion of $5 billion (an increase of 15.6% over the original revenue estimate). Much of the funding in the Amended Budget is an enormous investment in the state’s infrastructure — one-time funding and capital funding efforts.

• Education
  • $102.5 million included for the QBE mid-term adjustment (an increase in 825 students over last year).
  • $980,924 for an increase in utilization of the AP STEM exams due to the rollout of a new AP precalculus course.
  • $100,000 added for the Department of Early Care and Learning to allow for start-up grants of $10,000 for the Summer Food Service Program providers in unserved and underserved areas (with the Department of Education summer nutrition programs, 158 of 159 counties will be served).
  • $8.9 million in lottery funding is included to allow DECAL to continue the Summer Transition Program (using the current level of service).
  • $65,000 is added to the Governor’s Honors Program to address technology updates and get more rural participation in the program.
• Economic Development
  • $35 million is included to help renovate and improve the Atlanta Farmers Market.
  • The House agreed to Governor Brian Kemp's proposal to provide $23.9 million to continue the Rural Workforce housing program.
  • The House supported the governor’s recommendation to provide $29.2 million to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority for public safety, security, and infrastructure costs (to help with hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cut and the 2025 College Playoff National Championship).
  • The House supported the proposal to provide $250 million to the Georgia Fund for low-interest loans for water and wastewater infrastructure development in local communities.
  • The House also agreed to provide $100 million to the Regional Economic Business Assistance program for economic development projects and $100 million to the OneGeorgia Authority for rural economic and site development.
  • The House added $250,000 to the Public Service Commission for upgrades to the pipeline safety database (ensuring federal audit requirements) and another $250,0000 for upgrades to the consumer response database for utilities.
• General Government
  • $158.5 million is included for the Technology Empowerment Fund at the Georgia Technology Authority for new and ongoing projects (includes NextGen to replace the aging time management and human resources system).
  • $134 million is included for the Reinsurance program under the Department of Insurance to address claim reimbursements and an additional $16 million for Georgia’s state-based exchange, Georgia Access.
  • The House added $5 million for third-party ballot-text auditing technology (in addition to $6 million for the Secretary of State to replace Uninterruptible Power Supplies for 16,000 voting machines).
  • $145,600 is included for the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Division to hire more employees temporarily to work on the backlog of licensure applications.
  • $500 million is included for the Employees Retirement System of Georgia, addressing the overall health and funding ratio.
  • $1000 salary supplements for state employees are also funded for full-time employees.
• Health
  • In Medicaid, the budget includes a savings of $181 million due to decline in enrollment as it redetermines enrollment and provides for $120 million for increased utilization in that remaining population (also it includes $93 million in funding for moving nursing homes to reflect the 2021 cost reports).
  • The House added $200,000 for statewide healthcare specialty assessments to help look for gaps in physician specialties (neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology, and endocrinology).
  • The House version includes $250,000 for the Family Health Centers of Georgia to increase access to care for patients in Cobb County (part of this center is funded with private and local funds).
  • Within the Department of Public Health, the budget includes $323,768 to restore funding for the Clayton County district health director and $215,892 funding to upgrade the Georgia Vital Registration System.
• Higher Education
  • $178 million for a new delta school at Georgia Southern University and $50 million for the design and construction of the University of Georgia's medical school are in the House version.
  • $9.25 million is included for six new eminent scholars and six distinguished investigators at Georgia Tech and Augusta University (looking particularly at electrification and artificial intelligence as well as “inflammaging” and brain aging).
  • $66 million is restored to the original FY 2024 formula earnings within the USG’s Teaching program.
  • $12.3 million to fund growing participation in the Dual Enrollment program (a total of $88.5 million).
  • Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) receives $10.25 million to complete the Rivian training center in Newton County.
  • $4.75 million is included to fund operations within the QuickStart program.
  • $19.5 million is included for technical education within TCSG to fund renovation and start-up costs for three workforce accelerator site locations to support the electric vehicle industry.
  • $2 million is included to construct the Anne Frank Education Center.
• Human Services
  • $10.4 million in funding is included for a child and adolescent crisis stabilization unit in Savannah.
  • $2 million is included to help address sheriffs’ concerns about transporting individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Housing efforts are addressed with $475,625 to fund 246 housing lots and the House added $500,000 to expand mental health services in Warner Robins (serving individuals with housing and wraparound services).
  • $60 million of the more than $80 million needs are funded within the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ capital needs for its hospitals.
  • $3.2 million is added to the Department of Human Services to update SHINES and $1.7 million is included for the Georgia Gateway benefits eligibility system.
• Public Safety/Courts
  • $450.8 million is included to complete construction of the new prison in Washington County.
  • $65.2 million is included for the Department of Corrections for healthcare services for inmates.
  • $4.6 million is included to bring 400 transitional center beds online at the Metro Re-Entry Center.
  • $1.5 million for the Department of Juvenile Justice is included for body cameras.
• Transportation
  • $3.9 billion is added for infrastructure — The Department of Transportation remains funded following a three-month suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax and receives $1.5 billion for capital construction project pipeline (including local projects and freight infrastructure needs).
  • The House version includes $4.25 million to continue the upgrades to the state-owned shortlines to Class II.

The Amended FY24 Budget now goes to the Senate, where appropriators wasted no time digging into the details, suggesting expedient consideration of the little budget in the coming days.

Floor Notes

The House took up the following measures on Legislative Day 16:

• HB 158 - Courts; change name of Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit to DeKalb Judicial Circuit — PASSED 156-3
• HB 883 - State government; county boards of health to conduct meetings via teleconference; authorize — PASSED 162-1
• HB 916 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 — PASSED 161-2
• HB 1035 - Pharmacies; board regulates sale and supply of opioid antagonists through vending machines; authorize — PASSED 163-0

Committee Reports

House Education Committee - Curriculum Subcommittee

The Curriculum Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), met on Wednesday to consider the following measures:

• HB 914, authored by Representative Imani Barnes (D-Tucker), is the Safe Teens Act. The bill amends Title 20 to authorize local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to offer driver education as an elective course. These courses could be funded with local education funds, student fees (with waiver for financial hardship), or State appropriations if provided.

Barnes presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining it is intended to return driver's education to high schools. Even though the bill provides for several methods of funding, there were numerous questions about cost and calls for a fiscal note. There were also questions about who determines eligibility for fee waivers/scholarships for students demonstrating financial hardship. Given the unresolved questions, the subcommittee took no action on the bill.

• HB 995, authored by Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), amends Title 20 to require the administration of a nationally recognized multiple-aptitude battery assessment that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military to public school students in grades 11 and 12 who choose to participate. The bill allows parents to opt their children out of such assessments, and it prohibits the use of assessment results in any educational accountability assessment program.

Bonner presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that it would provide for the administration of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in schools. Buddy Costley of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders spoke in favor of the bill. The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee.

House Education Committee - Policy Subcommittee

The Policy Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), met on Wednesday to consider the following measures:

• HB 148, authored by Representative Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus), amends Title 20 to establish a program to support the recruitment of teachers by providing grant funds to be paid by public schools to student teachers who successfully complete their student teaching requirements. Such grants would be limited to no more than $7,500.

Hugley presented the bill to the subcommittee, explaining that it is intended to provide a stipend to assist student teachers, who are currently unpaid. She discussed a substitute that makes the grants need-based and transfers administration of the grants to colleges of education rather than the local school districts. These grants would be funded by the state. Josh Stephens of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators spoke in support of the measure. Breonna Robinson, an education student from Clark Atlanta University, and another education student also spoke in support of the bill. The subcommittee took no action on the bill.

• HB 579, authored by Representative Carter Barrett (R-Cumming), amends Title 20 to make several changes to the Special Needs Scholarship Program. The bill clarifies that a student does not need to satisfy the prior year public school attendance requirement when he or she has previously qualified for a scholarship and that a student receiving the scholarship does not need to keep their IEP or Section 504 plan up to date after establishing eligibility. It also provides for electronic payments of scholarship funds.

Barrett presented the bill to the committee, explaining that 5,788 students currently take advantage of the Special Needs Scholarship Program. He noted that the changes provided for in HB 579 include several “cleanups” to language adopted in SB 47 several years ago. Barrett said the bill is not an expansion “in any way, shape or form” of the Special Needs Scholarship Program.

Representative Rick Townsend (R-St. Simons Island) asked about the need to re-evaluate students who have IEPs and Section 504 plans. Representative Will Wade (R-Dawsonville) asked about the accountability provisions of the Special Needs Scholarship Program and the bill, and Matt Cardoza of the Department of Education indicated that the department could work with the author to provide additional clarity on what data can and needs to be tracked. Michael O’Sullivan of GeorgiaCAN walked through the changes in the bill at the request of Representative Becky Evans (D-Atlanta), explaining that nothing in the bill departs from existing law or practice of the Department of Education in administering the Special Needs Scholarship. Representative Lydia Glaize (D-Fairburn) pointed out that sometimes public school students improve and no longer need an IEP and those schools lose the enhanced special needs funding for that student, but Special Needs Scholarship Students do not have regular IEP reevaluations and can keep receiving the enhanced special needs funding until they graduate even if they no longer need special needs services.

The subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Education Committee. The chair then allowed members of the audience to speak on the bill.

House Ways and Means - Income Tax Subcommittee

Chairman Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe) called the Income Tax Subcommittee of House Ways and Meansto order to discuss the following measures:

• HB 814, authored by Representative Beth Camp (R-Concord), amends Title 48 regarding qualified investment property. This measure would create a tax credit to offset taxes levied on rural broadband facilities and infrastructure which would only apply to rural counties and grantees of the American Rescue Plan or the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
• HB 971, authored by Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta), amends Title 48 to create a $300 tax credit for citizens purchasing a gun safe or an individual receiving firearm training. This was the first hearing on the measure so no action was taken.

House Ways and Means - Ad Valorem Subcommittee

The Ad Valorem Subcommittee of House Ways and Means was called to order by Chairman David Knight (R-Griffin) to discuss one bill

• HB 808, authored by Representative Mike Cheokas (R-Americus), amends Title 48 relating to property tax. The measure seeks to increase the statewide exemption for tangible personal property. It would increase the statewide exemption over time, beginning with $7,500 to $20,000 and then in $15,000 yearly increments until it is phased out entirely by 2028. This would not apply to vehicles, agriculture equipment, or aircraft.

A representative from NFIB spoke in favor of the measure. A representative from ACCG expressed concern. This was the first hearing on the measure so not action was taken.

House Energy and Utilities Committee

Vice Chairman Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) presided over a later afternoon meeting of the committee on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. The committee took up one piece of legislation, HB 300, authored by Representative Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown). It adds a new code section at O.C.G.A. 46-3-64.1 to address the establishment of the Solar Technology Trust Fund. Kelley presented a new committee substitute for the committee’s consideration, which included technical cleanups and bond requirements (including the filing with the Clerk of the Superior Court where the property is located). The legislation was described as a protection for landowners but not a protection for the land. There was support provided on the legislation from Georgia Power and the Georgia Solar Energy Association. Representative Martin Momtahan (R-Dallas) expressed several reservations regarding the legislation. The substitute, with an amendment addressing the filing with the Clerk of the Superior Court, received a DO PASS recommendation moving it to the House Rules Committee.

House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

Chairman Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen) called the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee to order Wednesday morning to discuss the following measures

• HB 1033, authored by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), amends Title 16 regarding crimes against a person. During the presentation, Leverett explained a previously passed bill protects critical infrastructure. This measure enhances penalties for violence against utility workers.

CSX Transportation, Georgia Railroad Association, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Kevin Curtin from Georgia EMC, and Lee Swan from the Georgia Transmission Corporation spoke on the measure.

An amendment was made on line 16 to add “State Created Authority." The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.

• HB 909, authored by Representative Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons), amends Title 35 relating to the First Offender Act. LC 48 1149S seeks to seal a person's records upon sentencing to ensure these individuals have a second chance. This would only apply to first offenders which include individuals who have never been convicted before and never used a First Offender Act, and their offense must fall under eligible offenses such as lower-level felonies, misdemeanors, and cannot be violent or sexual crimes. This will apply to cases going forward and will not be retroactive.

Wade Askew from the Georgia Justice Project and a representative from the Deep Center in Chatham County spoke in favor of the measure. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.

Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee

Chairman Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) and his committee took up legislation and a report from the Secretary of State on professional licensing.

• HB 434, authored by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), was presented in the form of a committee substitute. This legislation provides for the licensing of radiology assistants by the Composite Medical Board in O.C.G.A. 43-34-12. The changes around the proposal in the substitute clarify “direct” supervision by a radiologist of these individuals. HB 434’s committee substitute received a DO PASS recommendation, moving the legislation to the Senate Rules Committee.
• Gabe Sterling, with the Georgia Secretary of State, provided an update on the state’s implementation of a new licensure system known as GOALS. More than 1,000 hours of testing have been conducted to implement this system. He acknowledged the standardization difficulties with the system as each profession has different standards/laws/rules, including subjective criteria. There have also been difficulties with getting licenses ratified as some of the boards have not met when proposed. Sterling acknowledged that the Secretary of State’s budget for licensure had remained flat over several years, $8.5 million while the licensure division brought in $24 million. Senator Cowsert asked what the office needed to help its efforts; Sterling stated that an additional $2.8 million to help with analysts would be helpful. The Chair of the Cosmetology and Barber Board spoke to her board’s struggles, noting that its licensees brought in $5.5 million in fees and needed help to process applications (previously it only took 2-4 weeks to get applications processed and now it is taking 2-3 months). Physical therapists also spoke to their struggles with the GOALS system, including struggles to have contact with individuals at the Secretary of State’s office to help with questions.
• SB 163, authored by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), was also on the agenda. The legislation seeks several changes in Title 3 to address Georgia’s three-tiered system regulating alcohol. It authorizes manufacturers of malt beverages to sell or donate malt beverages that they produce under certain conditions. Their struggles are around the contracts that they are to sign with distributors if the distributors will even agree to sell their products. Most of these entities are very small businesses. No action was taken at the meeting on the proposal.

Senate Public Safety Committee

Chairman John Albers (R-Roswell) called the Senate Public Safety Committee to order Wednesday to discuss the following measures:

• SB 400, authored by Senator Shawn Still (R-Norcorss), amends Code Section 40-2-86 relating to license plates. LC 39 3985 creates a new license plate to include the Gadsden Flag. A portion of the funds will benefit the Foundation of Moral Law, Inc. An amendment was offered and accepted for the effective date be Jan. 1, 2025. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.
• SB 402, authored by Senator Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), amends Code Section 40-5-24 relating to Class C driver's licenses. Current law explains that newly licensed drivers are not allowed to drive non-family members for the first six months of being licensed. The bill extends restrictions for new drivers from six months to one year but allows new drivers to drive one individual outside of their family.

Jonathan Roop, Emory University, expressed concern and highlighted teen driving statistics. Senator Randy Robertson (R-Catuala) understood the intent of the measure but balanced it with his experience as a law enforcement officer with teen drivers. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.

• SB 443, authored by Senator Ben Watson (R-Savannah), amends Title 41 regarding nuisances. The measure seeks to address unsanctioned or unpermitted events when it causes a public nuisance such as impeding emergency vehicles. The measure allows the municipality to “go after” the promoter and seek restitution for any costs.

DJ Waller, the Georgia Municipal Association, expressed support for the measure.

Senator Robertson asked if a city had any costs for permits. On Tybee Island, they do. On July 4th, there were over 100,000 unpermitted vehicles monitored by their police department. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.

• SB 10, authored by Senator Emmanuel Jones (D-Decatur), amends Title 40 regarding drag racing. LC 39 3804S seeks to discourage exhibitions by increasing violations for those present, facilitating, and participating such as blocking the roads for stunt driving or videoing. The measure also includes increased fines.

Atlanta Municipal Court Judge Gary Jackson expressed support for the measure.

Robertson asked what "knowingly participating" included. Jones explained the court will have to decide, but it is to prevent people from attending events. The measure received a DO PASS recommendation.

New Legislation

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the House:

The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the Senate:

What’s Next

The General Assembly will reconvene for Legislative Day 17 on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at 10 a.m.

The House is expected to take up the following measures on Legislative Day 17:

• HB 53 - State Board of Registration for Foresters; independent state agency; provisions
• HB 974 - Secretary of State; establish and maintain a state-wide system for the posting of scanned paper ballots; require

The Senate is expected to take up the following measures on Legislative Day 17:

• SB 205 - Funeral Directors and Embalmers; reinstatement of a lapsed funeral director's license; change provisions
• SB 362 - State Government; employee representation by a labor organization for employers to receive certain economic development incentives from the state; provide requirements
• SB 406 - First Responder Building Mapping Information System; grant program to fund the creation of school mapping data; establish
• SB 410 - Licensing of Veterinarians; certain sterilization services performed by out-of-state veterinarians from licensing requirements; exempt
• HB 166 - Courts; provide for qualification of constables