From the State House to the White House
Jan. 31, 2025 – Issue 03

As the weeks progress, we at FTCS will continue to focus on state issues but will start to weave in other relevant information from the federal level that is of note to our business community.

Federal Highlights

Small businesses still do not have to file pending legal challenges

Small businesses are not required to report their ownership under the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling. Two federal courts issued injunctions that prohibited the federal government from enforcing a January 1 deadline. President Biden’s Justice Department appealed, and the U.S. Supreme Court reversed one of the injunctions on January 23, 2025. Prior to the rulings, small businesses that met certain criteria would have filed ownership reports or risk fines up to $10,000 and criminal penalties. The Cobb Chamber supports efforts by the U.S. Chamber urging the new Congress and Administration to postpone reporting requirements for at least a year while the legal cases are still pending.

Presidential Executive Orders

Since his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump has signed over 300 executive orders affecting the non-profit sector, local, state, and federal governments, higher education, the military, and the private sector. Although the administration rescinded an executive order on January 30 that would have frozen federal loans and grant programs not directly benefiting citizens, many other orders continue to impact small, mid-sized, and large corporations. Please be assured that we at the Cobb Chamber are diligently analyzing these orders and their implications for our members.

Laken Riley Act – State Representation

On Thursday, January 29th, 2025, both Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Speaker of the House Jon Burns along with numerous state House and Senate members made the trip up to Washington D.C. to be present during the signing of the Laken Riley Act, which marks President Donald Trump’s first piece of legislation signed during his second term as President of the United States.

Speaker Jon Burns and several state representatives at the
White House for the bill signing ceremony.

U.S. Senator John Ossoff Leadership Role

This week, Georgia Senator John Ossoff was appointed as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran Affairs. Senator Ossoff was quoted saying “From this key position, I will strengthen U.S. national security and fight for Georgia’s veterans, servicemembers, and their families.”
The Cobb Chamber and it’s Team Dobbins committee look forward to working with Senator Ossoff and his office to provide continued support for Cobb County’s military community and infrastructure including Dobbins Air Reserve Base and all of Cobb County’s veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists.

State Highlights

Tort Reform Legislation and Governor’s Press Conference

Along with the Georgia Chamber, Metro ATL Chamber and many local chambers and businesses from across the state, Chamber President and CEO Sharon Mason and Executive Vice President of Advocacy & Government Relations Amanda Seals joined Governor Brian Kemp Thursday for his press conference on his comprehensive judicial reform legislative package. Governor Kemp emphasized that the reform aims to make Georgia more business-friendly by updating the state's rules on evidence and limiting large payouts in personal injury lawsuits.

SB 68 and SB 69 will be carried by Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy (Macon). Provisions in the legislation include:

• Addressing premises liability law by adjusting the standard for negligent security so that property owners are only liable “for what they directly control”;
• Attacking “phantom damages” by only allowing plaintiffs to seek damages in the amount actually paid (or will be paid in the future) for a medical bill;
• Prohibiting the use of “anchoring” by attorneys in closing arguments and protecting discretion “empowering the jury to decide an award amount on their own”;
• Allowing bifurcation of trials upon motion of a party, which requires a determination of liability before evidence of damages is introduced;
• Permitting introduction of evidence that a plaintiff was not wearing his or her seatbelt in an auto accident in mitigation of damages;
• Eliminating “double recovery” of attorney’s fees;
• Shortening the timeline for voluntary dismissal of a lawsuit by a plaintiff;
• Allowing the filing of a motion to dismiss in lieu of an answer; and
• Limiting participation and ensuring transparency of third-party litigation funders.

To read the full executive summary, please click this link.

In the 2025 Cobb Chamber Legislative Priorities, it states that we support policies that reduce the costs of lawsuits, increase predictability, and prioritize efficiency in the civil justice system. We look forward to working with the Governor and members of the Georgia General Assembly to achieve this goal.

State of the Judiciary

On Tuesday, January 28th, the legislature convened in a joint session in the House Chamber to hear Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs for the annual State of the Judiciary. Chief Justice Boggs provided commendations to the strong judicial system currently operating in Georgia and provided a list of the Georgia Supreme Court’s accomplishments during 2024 including establishing a committee to review generative AI.

Chief Justice Boggs highlighted the accomplishments of the Cobb County Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court (VATC) including the 64 graduates of the VATC and an impressive 7% recidivism rate. The Cobb County VATC was started by Judge Reuben Green of Cobb County, who sadly passed away earlier this month. A veteran himself, Judge Reuben Green is remembered for his servant-minded heart and the great things he did for veterans within Cobb County and the State of Georgia, including the creation of the VATC.

The full State of the Judiciary address can be seen here.

Cobb Legislative Delegation Update

Monday, the Cobb County Legislative Delegation’s new leadership (pictured below) held their first meeting of the 2025 Legislative Session. The Cobb Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with the Cobb County Legislative Delegation now and in the future.

From left to right: Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett (secretary/treasurer),
Rep. Terry Cummings (Vice Chair) and Rep. David Wilkerson (Chair)

Legislation of Interest Related to Support of Veterans

Legislation related to supporting Georgia’s veterans, including the key pieces of legislation below, have been a hallmark during these first few weeks of the legislative session. The Cobb Chamber and it's Team Dobbins committee are committed to supporting legislation that aids in promoting services and assistance for our county’s veterans and active-duty service members.

SB 11 by Senator Michael “Doc” Rhett
Legislation would amend provisions regarding creditable service under the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia. The new provisions within this bill would allow members to obtain 36 months of creditable service for active military service performed on or after January 1, 1990. Members who have at least 10 years of membership service would be eligible to make an application to the Board of Trustees.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Retirement

SB 31 by Senator Greg Dolezal
Legislation exempts all income received as retirement benefits resulting from service in the armed services of the United States or the reserve components from taxation. Currently, income received as retirement benefits, up to $17,500 for those under the age of 62, is subject to taxation.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

HB 107 by Representative Bethany Ballard
Legislation that would require all professional licensing boards in the state to implement rules and processes for spouses of service members, spouses of transitioning service members, and transitioning service members to qualify for digitally verifiable licenses for each business, profession, or trade for which licenses are issued.
Referred to the House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs

HB 108 by Representative Josh Bonner
Known as the “Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act” (SAVE Act), this legislation provides protections for veterans or veteran families seeking assistance on veterans’ benefits matters. The legislation sets up requirements for those seeking compensation for providing services such as advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans’ benefits matters.
Referred to the House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs

HB 110 by Representative Josh Bonner
Legislation which prohibits pawnbrokers from conducting a pawn transaction involving a motor vehicle or motor vehicle certificate of title with a “covered borrower”. According to 32 CFR Section 232.3, a “covered borrower” means a person who is serving on active duty, active guard, or reserve duty.
Referred to the House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs

HB 182 by Representative Eddie Lumsden
Legislation prohibits policy group of group life insurance from excluding or restricting liability for certain deaths occurring while an individual is an active-duty service member.
Referred to the House Committee on Insurance

Other Legislation of Interest

SB 34 by Senator Kay Kirkpatrick
Legislation prohibits certain costs incurred by an electric utility for providing electric services to commercial data centers from being included in any rates or charges of such electric utility.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities

SB 37 by Senator John Albers
Known as the “AI Accountability Act”, this legislation would establish the requirement for all Georgia government entities to publish a “comprehensive artificial intelligence system usage plan” on a public website by December 31st, 2026. The legislation also establishes the Georgia Board for Artificial Intelligence and provides guidelines for its creation.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

SB 50 by Representative David Lucas
Known as the “PeachCare Plus Act of 2025,” this legislation works to expand Medicaid in Georgia and would establish an Advisory Commission on the PeachCare Plus Program, among other things.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities

SB 51 by Senator Ed Setzler
Legislation which revises county and municipality contracting procedures related to the acquisition of certain professional services, including the professional services of architects, interior designers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and professional engineers. Companion bill to HB 152.
Referred to the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations

SB 57 by Senator Blake Tillery
Legislation provides citizens protection by prohibiting discrimination in the provision of essential services including financial services and utility services.
Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee

HB 51 by Representative James Burchett
Legislation which authorizes the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and perform “certain duties” in connection with projects related to natural gas facilities.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment

HB 117 by Representative Jesse Petrea
Legislation requires food service establishments to display disclosures notating the country from which each seafood item originated, not including canned or salted seafoods.
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

HB 126 by Representative Carpenter
Legislation allows small businesses to apply for a license to purchase and distribute alcoholic beverages purchased from designated retail dealers.
Referred to the House Committee on Regulated Industries

HB 144 by Representative Mark Newton
Legislation which revises a tax credit for certain medical preceptor rotations. Additionally, the legislation adds “dentistry” to the tax credit provisions and increases the value of the tax credit.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

HB 152 by Representative Matt Reeves
Legislation which revises county and municipality contracting procedures related to the acquisition of certain professional services, including the professional services of architects, interior designers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and professional engineers. Companion bill to SB 51.
Referred to the House Committee on Governmental Affairs

HB 153 by Representative Beth Camp
Legislation which relates to sales and use tax exemptions for manufacturing equipment and extends the sunset date for an exemption for maintenance and replacement parts for certain machinery or equipment used to mix or transport concrete.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

HB 154 by Representative Gary Richardson
Legislation which designates ambulance services as an essential service in the State of Georgia.
Referred to the House Committee on Health

HB 163 by Representative Jordan Ridley
Legislation which requires food service establishments to provide disclosure that certain food products contain cell cultured meat, plant-based meat alternatives, or both.
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

HB 171 by Representative Brad Thomas
Legislation pertains to criminalizing the distribution of AI-generated obscene material depicting children and introduce enhanced sentencing for crimes when AI is used during illegal activity. Companion bill to SB 9.
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil

HB 183 by Representative Devan Seabaugh
Legislation which expands an innkeeper’s liens to cover property removed from a room by an innkeeper upon the termination of a guest’s contract and provides procedures for innkeepers to eject persons under circumstances from inns. Additionally, it provides law enforcement the right to eject persons from inns under certain circumstances.
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary

HB 184 by Representative Eddie Lumsden
Legislation which establishes the “Georgia Consumer Protection Towing Act.” The legislation provides consumer protections for emergency towing, owner requested towing, and private property towing.
Referred to the House Committee on Motor Vehicles

HB 187 by Representative Dale Washburn
Legislation which changes certain provisions relating to certain professions practicing in this state including electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors.
Referred to the House Committee on Regulated Industries

83rd Annual Dinner Highlights

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Cobb Chamber’s 83rd Annual Dinner, aka Cobb Prom, was held and was our largest attendance to date – 1,200 people! Over 50 local, state and federal government and elected officials joined the celebration. Make sure to save the date for our 84th Annual Dinner on Jan. 24, 2026!

Congressman Loudermilk and his team

Congresswoman Lucy McBath

From left to right: Dana Johnson, COO; Sharon Mason, President & CEO; Rep. Solomon Adesanya; Rep. David Wilkerson, Sen. Kay Kirk Patrick, Sen. John Albers, Rep. Devan Seabaugh, Amanda Seals, EVP, Advocacy; Rep. Joseph Gullett; and Coleman Loftin, Government Relations

Sen. Jason Esteves grabs a selfie with Rep. Terry Cummings, Natalie Knight
and Rep. Mekyah McQueen

Your Cobb Chamber Advocacy Team

Next Week at the Capitol

Mon., Feb. 3 – Legislative Day 10
Tues., Feb. 4 – Legislative Day 11
Wed., Feb. 5 – Legislative Day 12
Thurs., Feb. 6 – Legislative Day 13
Fri., Feb. 7 – Recess Day

If you have any questions about the Cobb Chamber Government Affairs Committee, the Cobb Chamber legislative priorities or legislative advocacy in general, please reach out to Amanda Seals, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations.