Dear Friends,
Legislative Week 8 has concluded. This week was Qualifying Week, during which candidates must submit paperwork to run for office. I am pleased to announce that I have qualified for re-election as your Representative for House District 112. It is an honor to serve, and if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Friday was Crossover Day, the final day for legislation to pass the House and “crossover” to the Senate for consideration if it is to have a chance at becoming law this year. On this day, the House stayed in session until 1 am Saturday to process as much legislation as possible. The legislation passed addressed affordability, education, public safety, health, and more.
Georgia HOME Act
A top issue across the state this year and last has been affordability, especially regarding property taxes. We heard from voters in favor of property tax relief in the 2024 vote (HB 581); however, many counties opted out. House Republicans have been working very hard on this issue. I am pleased to report that HB 1116 has passed the House. The Georgia HOME Act, HB 1116, will cap property tax increases at 3%, cap the local sales tax at the current level, while allowing a dollar-for-dollar sales tax penny to offset property tax. This bill will require local governments to report revenues to the Georgia Department of Revenue annually and also require local governments to provide written notice of tax increases to each homeowner. The vote on the Georgia HOME Act passed along party lines, with Democrats in opposition.
Income Tax Relief, again
House Bill 880 lowers the individual income tax rate from 4.99% to 3.99%. It increases the personal exemption for dependents from $4,000 to $6,000. It raises the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly from $24,000 to $36,000, increases the standard deduction for single filers from $12,000 to $18,000, and raises the income exclusion for retirees 65 or older from $65,000 to $70,000 per eligible taxpayer.
Legislation Successfully Passed by the House
DREAM Scholarship Act, HB 1413, Georgia’s first needs-based scholarship program. This legislation establishes an endowment fund for such scholarship and sets eligibility standards for low-income students to receive financial aid to attend colleges and universities.
Income Tax Rebate, HB 1000, provides Georgians with a fourth one-time tax rebate for tax returns for the 2024/2025 tax years. $250 for individuals and $500 for married filers.
Paid Maternal Leave, HB 1118, provides state employee birth mothers with an additional 3 weeks of paid maternity leave, increasing the leave from 6 weeks to 9 weeks.
Obstruction of law enforcement with a motor vehicle, HB 1076, provides for a felony offense if a person knowingly obstructs a police officer with their vehicle while the officer is performing their official duties.
The Domestic Violence Registry, HB 1142, establishes a database of repeat domestic violence offenders, serving as a resource for individuals when entering into a relationship.
Surprise Medical Billing, HB 96, sets up the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act to provide for insurance coverage for out-of-network ambulance transportation services.
The Education and Workforce Strategy Act, HB 1302, consolidates state agencies working on workforce development into a single agency. This agency will work with other state agencies on education, student achievement, talent development, and workforce preparedness to ensure Georgia has a well-trained workforce.
Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act, HB 1087, prevents counties and municipalities from charging disabled veterans fees for home modifications that are needed due to their disabilities.
Mental Health: The re-creation of community service boards, HB 1368, reestablishes these boards to provide better mental health services.
Education: vision and hearing screening for all public school students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade, HB 1402. This bill will provide vision and hearing screenings to ensure that hearing and vision problems are identified so students can learn effectively. It will notify parents and guardians and also include an option to opt out.
Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, HB 1295. This bill will allow physician assistants to enter into an interstate compact known as the “PA Licensure Compact.” This will enable PAs to provide medical services within this compact of participating states, making licensing easier as people move from state to state and helping address PA shortages.
Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, HB 1159. This bill will exempt farmers from paying income taxes on loans received from the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program after Hurricane Helene and other disasters.
Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, HB 962, will set up savings trust funds to help people save for college.
Quality Basic Education Act, HB 1114, allows for the high school graduation requirement for students to complete a financial literacy course in the ninth and tenth grades.
Service Guide Dogs, HB 668, provides a definition cleanup across state code, so a single term is used to describe a service dog. It also provides a criminal offense for a person who causes death or physical harm to a service dog.
Medical Practice Act, HB 717, provides for the regulation of the administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment therapy. Ketamine, if not properly administered, can cause dissociative hallucinations. This bill will ensure that highly trained professionals administer the treatments.
Military Scholarships, HB1328, will provide additional nominations for candidates to receive a scholarship to North Georgia Military College.
Interstate Sexual Predator Prevention Act, HB 421, will establish the criminal offense of traveling from out-of-state to meet a minor for indecent purposes.
Insurance, HB 951, will provide the insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices, their materials, and components.
Dual Achievement Program, HB 1293, provides for the continuation of the Adult Education Dual Achievement program. To provide high school degrees to students who have dropped out of school and to offer this program across the state.
Federal Workforce Pell Grant Program, HB 1345. This legislation provides for the approval of implementing the Federal Workforce Pell Grant program to train individuals for high-demand jobs. This bill will bring federal funds into Georgia to help low-income students receive workforce training.
Trey’s Law, HB 1187, this legislation prohibits non-disclosure agreements from silencing kids who are victims of sexual assault from speaking out.
Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act, HB 1138, will authorize pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills without prescriptions.
Revise Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse, HB 1409, updates reporting methods for child abuse by employing a secure web platform for information transfer.
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It was a pleasure to have Vickie and my granddaughter, Rowan, with me to help me qualify to run for re-election this fall.
Proud to stand with fellow Walton Rep Rey Martinez in full support of Conservative Walton County business owner and former Walton County GOP Chairman, Marc McMain, and his wife, Lillyana.
 Tiedrill A, of the Walton County Boys and Girls Club, was recognized as an outstanding youth of the year! |
 Wyatt Vaughn served as a page for us on Crossover Day, the very busiest day of the session this year. Grateful for his service! |
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