News from Under the Gold Dome

My House colleagues and I returned to the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to kick off the 11th week of the 2025 legislative session. I was pleased last week to carry and pass a bill that addresses the needs of Georgia’s current and former foster children and supporting their pursuit of higher education through the passage of Senate Bill 85. The passage of this bill recognizes that supporting Georgia’s foster youth is essential to ensuring that they have the same opportunities as other young Georgians to advance their education and prepare for future careers. SB 85 was passed in the House by substitute and will now return to the Senate where they will review the House’s version of the bill.

In preparation for the fast-approaching Sine Die deadline, we passed several pieces of legislation last week, including bills that passed over from the Senate, as well as giving final passage to bills that are now on their way to the governor’s desk for his decision to sign or veto. Throughout this arduous process, we remain focused on delivering meaningful solutions for our state and communities. I will highlight some of the key measures we took up this week, and I remain eager to advance more positive policy initiatives before the 2025 legislative session concludes on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The House gave final passage to Senate Bill 123. This measure is aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in Georgia’s public schools. The bill would formally define chronic absenteeism as students who missed 10 percent or more of the school year. It would also introduce targeted intervention strategies to boost student attendance, while providing support over punishment for schools and students struggling with absences. We know that being present in the classroom is vital for students’ learning, and this legislation would be a step in the right direction toward enhancing student engagement, improving academic outcomes and preparing them for postsecondary education. SB 123 now heads to the governor’s desk for his review.

Furthermore, my colleagues and I gave final passage to Senate Bill 72, which would create a legal safe harbor for rare disease patients and other vulnerable patient groups in Georgia. The bill would allow hospitals and healthcare professionals to provide cutting-edge care and treatments to patients based on their individualized condition and DNA. This bill seeks to support vulnerable patient populations by allowing for physician and clinic-approved medications and treatments to advance the health of rare disease patients, ultimately elongating or improving their lives.

Senate Bill 42, which aims to address certain inconsistencies in sentencing for crimes involving the exploitation of minors. SB 42 would help close a loophole and ensure consistent, appropriate penalties for those who exploit minors.

Building on the foundation of Senate Bill 465, Austin’s Law, which was passed in the 2024 legislative session in memory of Austin Walters, a fentanyl overdose victim, my colleagues and I gave House passage to Senate Bill 79, the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act. SB 79 is part of a broader initiative to combat fentanyl-related deaths in Georgia and to address opioid abuse more generally. SB 79 would strengthen penalties for trafficking fentanyl and its equivalents by amending state law related to the manufacture, delivery, distribution, possession or sale of noncontrolled substances. With drug trafficking organizations distributing fentanyl by the kilogram, SB 79 would, if approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, strengthen penalties for those involved in trafficking this dangerous substance, helping to protect communities.

My House colleagues and I gave final passage to Senate Bill 245, which would allow grandparents expanded visitation rights in certain situations. The goal of the legislation is to provide necessary and mutually agreed-upon updates to visitation rights, while prioritizing the well-being of children and their guardians.

As the end of the 2025 session draws near, several pieces of legislation have now received final passage in the House and Senate. I would like to highlight several bills that received final passage, meaning that these bills will now head to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk where he can sign into law or veto the legislation.

One of these bills, House Bill 340, would instruct public school systems to implement policies to ban the use of personal electronic devices in the classroom from the start to the end of the school day for the purpose of keeping students engaged in their learning environments.

House Bill 111 is also awaiting the governor’s decision and proposes a reduction in the individual income tax rate from 5.39 percent to 5.19 percent, effective after January 1, 2025.

House Bill 112, which would provide a one-time income tax refund to taxpayers who filed returns both in 2023 and 2024, is also on its way to the governor’s desk. At the end of the week, the House voted to give final passage to House Bill 428, which would codify protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and is now awaiting the governor’s decision.

On Monday, March 31st, we will return for the 12th and final week of the 2025 legislative session. In the final days of the 2025 legislative session, I will continue working for our district and fighting for our communities. Please reach out to me with any questions regarding legislation that is still up for consideration.

Capitol Address

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Pamela Lewis – Administrative Assistant

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Swainsboro, GA 30401

478.237.3838 – Office