UNDER THE GOLD DOME

WEEK 8

CROSSOVER DAY

This week, the Georgia House of Representatives returned to the Gold Dome on Monday, March 3^rd, kicking off the busiest week of the 2025 legislative session so far. Thursday, March 6^th marked Crossover Day, a critical deadline for legislation to move from one chamber to the other. The House worked late into the evening, passing a record 75 bills and resolutions on Crossover Day alone that are now awaiting consideration in the Senate. With many pieces of legislation to consider, it was a week of intense activity and crucial decision-making as we worked to ensure that we had every opportunity to advance sound legislation to address the pressing needs of our state and its citizens. 

AMENDED FY 2025 BUDGET

We began the week by fulfilling our constitutional duty with the final passage of House Bill 67, the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2025 budget, which largely prioritizes recovery efforts in the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Helene. The storm’s widespread destruction prompted an urgent need for recovery, and this budget allocates critical funding to help rebuild affected communities. Set by a revenue estimate of $40.5 billion, including $2.7 billion in surplus funds, the budget provides a $4.4 billion increase, or 12.2 percent, over the original Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget. Notable allocations include Hurricane Helene relief and needed funds for the Department of Corrections.

~ $113 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to continue the state’s emergency response efforts

~ $50 million for debris removal

~ $285 million in disaster relief for farmers and timber producers

~ $215 million in new funding to make essential safety, security, and technology upgrades to GDC’s infrastructure

~ $17.5 million for security technology to detect and prevent the introduction of contraband

~ $50.9 million for new correctional officer positions

~ $10.5 million will be allocated for new body cameras and tasers, enhancing safety for both officers and offenders.

With a focus on immediate recovery and long-term restoration, this amended budget ensures that Georgia’s response to both Hurricane Helene and essential public safety needs is comprehensive and sustained. This funding is not only necessary but essential for rebuilding lives, homes and communities across Georgia. Governor Kemp signed the amended budget on Thursday after its final passage in the House and Senate.  

EDUCATION UPDATE

A key focus in the Georgia House this week was prioritizing the state’s education system, safeguarding Georgia’s children and enhancing school safety. As a result, the House passed House Bill 268, a comprehensive measure aimed at improving the safety, health, and well-being of students and school communities across Georgia. HB 268 would implement a range of initiatives to reaffirm our dedication to fostering an environment where children can thrive without fear.

~ Emphasis on improving the sharing of student records between schools and from state agencies

~ Establishment of a statewide behavioral threat assessment indicator to quickly identify potential risks to school safety and address them before they escalate

~ Requirement for local schools to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and suicide and youth violence prevention training

~ Creation of an Office of Safe Schools to provide resources and training to help schools foster safer environments and develop policies to prevent violence

~ Development of a state-wide behavioral threat management process for local school systems and law enforcement agencies by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

HB 268 would empower Georgia schools to be better prepared for emergencies, giving families peace of mind knowing that their children are safe at school and that comprehensive and effective plans are in place to protect and provide support services to Georgia’s students. 

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

I am proud to be sponsoring the following legislation. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly on other bills that will support our communities and will make Georgia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

HOUSE BILL 81 -- PASSED OUT OF SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE This bill will allow Georgia to enter into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. This will cut red tape for school psychologists who move here from other member states. School psychologists are an integral part of our schools, and my hope is that this will help our schools hire more of them to support our students. I look forward to having this bill heard in Senate Rules Committee. /

HOUSE BILL 107 -- PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE This bill will require our licensing boards to provide military spouses with a digital verifiable license which will make it easier for them to prove they have a valid occupational license when they move from state to state. I'm working with the Secretary of State's office on this issue before this bill goes into Rules.

HOUSE BILL 174 -- PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE This bill was brought to me as a unanimous resolution by the Centerville City Council as a piece of local legislation. It will authorize the Municipal Court of Centerville to charge a technology fee.

HOUSE BILL 307 -- PASSED OUT OF HOUSE This bill will strengthen SB 48 and HB 538, dyslexia and literacy legislation from previous sessions, and ban curriculum that does not align with the Science of Reading. I look forward to working with the Senate to get passage in that chamber.

HOUSE BILL 361 / HOUSE BILL 266 -- PASSED OUT OF HOUSE The original HB 361 was merged with HB 266 and will exempt partial retirement benefits of our retired veterans from state income tax. This bill was signed by almost all the House members from our military communities, and is a bipartisan bill. It has been assigned to the Ways & Means Committee.

HOUSE BILL 372 -- This bill will allow retired teachers who have certificates in certain high needs areas to return to the classroom. It has been assigned to the Retirement Committee.

HOUSE BILL 487 -- This bill will mandate that computer science be a high school graduation requirement beginning in 2031.It has been assigned to the Education Committee.

You can click the button below to follow all the legislation as each bill makes its way through the House and Senate.

LINKS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

The Georgia House of Representatives will reconvene at the State Capitol on Monday, March 10^th for Legislative Day 29. With Crossover Day behind us, the House will now begin to consider legislation that passed in the Senate and vice versa. With Sine Die approaching on April 4^th, I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns about the bills currently under consideration. Your input is always valued, so please feel free to schedule a call or visit to discuss the issues that matter most to you and your family.

If your child would like to be a House Page, please click the link below to contact my office. The Page program is open to children ages 12 through 18, and it is a very worthwhile and educational experience. Paging does not count toward school absences, and your child will be counted as "present" at school.