The Breakdown
Weekly updates from the gold dome.
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From the State House to the White House
March 28, 2025 – Issue 11

And then there were three...the end is in sight as only three legislative days remain on the 2025 legislative calendar. Sine Die or Day 40 will be Friday, April 4, which is the last day for any piece of legislation that is still making its way through the process to have a fighting chance to make it to the Governor’s desk. It was a busy week under the Gold Dome, with senators and representatives doing everything in their power to get bills out of committee before the deadline to do so arrives.

In This Issue:

  • Chamber CEO Testifies before the PSC
  • Update on the Governor’s Lawsuit Reform
  • Local Legislation Introduced
  • Senate Passes Their Version of the Big Budget
  • Legislation of Interest
  • March GAC Meeting with Greg Bluestein
  • Updates from the Cobb Chamber

 

Mason Testifies before the Public Service Commission

Cobb Chamber President and CEO Sharon Mason testified before the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in support of Georgia Power Company’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan this week. The plan includes their strategy for delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy. Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan includes four main points including:

  • Supporting Georgia’s strong economic growth
  • Investing in diverse generation resources to meet Georgia’s growing energy needs
  • Enhancing the power grid to increase reliability and resiliency
  • Serving a growing Georgia while balancing high reliability and affordability for customers

Mason's comments to the PSC emphasized the strong partnership that Cobb County and the state of Georgia have with Georgia Power and local utilities, which provide a healthy, business-friendly environment that continues to grow and aid in Cobb County's and the state's economic development. To listen to her full testimony, click here and scroll to the time mark 5:56:07.

 

Lawsuit Reform Update

The second bill in the governor’s lawsuit reform package, SB 69, passed out of the House this week by substitute. Amendments include adding an exception for those who are litigation financier investors, but do not engage in the “business of litigation financing,” and changing the provision relating to litigation financiers who agree to provide $25,000 or more in funding so that the court would have greater discretion regarding the litigation financier’s liability for any award or order imposing or assessing costs or monetary sanctions for frivolous litigation against a consumer, entity or their legal representative.

SB 69 would establish comprehensive regulations for litigation financing in Georgia, creating a new legal framework to govern third-party funding of legal claims. The legislation requires litigation financiers to register with the Department of Banking and Finance, prohibits individuals or entities with affiliations to foreign governments or adversarial entities from providing litigation funding, and mandates detailed disclosure requirements for litigation financing agreements.

Late Friday afternoon prior to adjourning, the Senate agreed to the House substitute with a floor amendment by Sen. Bo Hatchett, sending the measure back to the House for additional consideration next week.

How Did the Cobb Legislative Delegation Vote on SB 69?

2/27/25 Senate Vote– 52-0

Senator John Albers
Senator Jason Esteves
Senator Donzella James
Senator Kay Kirkpatrick
Senator Michael “Doc” Rhett
Senator Ed Setzler

YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES


3/27/2025 House Vote – 98-69

Rep. Solomon Adesanya
Rep. Lisa Campbell
Rep. John Carson
Rep. Sharon Cooper
Rep. Terry Cummings
Rep. Ginny Ehrhart
Rep. Joseph Gullett
Rep. Sheila Jones
Rep. Mekyah McQueen
Rep. Don Parsons
Rep. Jordan Ridley
Rep. Gabriel Sanchez
Rep. Michael Smith
Rep. Devan Seabaugh
Rep. Mary Frances Williams
Rep. David Wilkerson

NO
NO
YES
YES
EXCUSED
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO

 

Local Legislation Introduced by the Cobb Legislative Delegation

This week, the Cobb Legislative Delegation introduced the following three pieces of local legislation related to the Cobb County Tax Commissioner and the State Court of Cobb County:

HB 847 by Rep. Terry Cummings
Legislation to amend an Act consolidating the offices of tax collector and tax receiver into the office of tax commissioner of Cobb County, approved February 17, 1949, as amended, so as to change the compensation of the tax commissioner and certain employees of such office.
Referred to the House Intergovernmental Coordination Committee

HB 857 by Rep. Terry Cummings
Legislation to amend an Act creating the State Court of Cobb County, approved March 26, 1964, as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 3, 2023, so as to change the salary of the chief deputy clerk and the clerk of the State Court of Cobb County.
Referred to the House Intergovernmental Coordination Committee

HB 858 by Rep. Terry Cummings
Legislation to amend an Act creating the State Court of Cobb County, approved March 26, 1964, as amended, so as to change the compensation and number of certain staff of the Cobb County solicitor general.
Referred to the House Intragovernmental Coordination Committee

 

Big Budget Heads to Conference Committee

This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee pushed out its version of the FY 2026 Budget to the full Senate for a vote on Friday, 48 – 7. Now, the House and Senate budget conferees will start the task of ironing out differences between the two versions prior to Sine Die. Fun fact: The Georgia Constitution makes it illegal for the General Assembly to pass an operating budget that anticipates expenditures exceeding funds available.

Basically, the budget is the only bill that the assembly must do before Sine Die. Everything else is just gravy.

In the current legislation, House and Senate lawmakers have different opinions on how much to fund Promise Scholarships, vouchers that give families $6,500 to move their children from low-performing public schools to private schools.

Created in 2024, the voucher program drew interest from families when the application portal opened on March 1. About 5,000 families quickly applied for vouchers with funding available for only 7,000 spots in the House-drafted FY 2026 budget.

But that isn’t the only difference in the FY 2026 budget between the chambers. The House and Senate want to fund capital projects but through different mechanisms. Like the governor, the Senate plan would pay for all capital projects with money from the state’s $16.5 billion reserve and surplus funds, while the House uses the traditional method of bonding the projects by borrowing the money instead.

For the first time, the Senate budget also includes a list of the top 11 tax credits and exemptions.  Appropriations Chairman Senator Blake Tillery asked his colleagues to examine the numbers to consider the future viability of eliminating the state income tax entirely.

The full budget bill with differences highlighted is available here.

 

Legislative Update:

It is that time of the session where bills start moving quickly, sometimes tacked onto other pieces of legislation, sometimes in its original form. While we are tracking 100s of bills, here is an update of some of the measures that saw movement this week:

SB 36 by Sen. Ed Setzler
Legislation known as the “Religious Freedom and Restoration Act” or “RFRA.” This bill declares that state and local governments cannot “substantially burden” someone’s practice of religion unless there is a “compelling governmental interest.” The bill would also allow persons who believe their religious freedoms have been violated to sue their local government and collect attorney fees should they win.
Passed out of the House Judiciary Committee

SB 51 by Sen. Ed Setzler
Legislation would require counties and municipalities to use a Quality Based Selection process when performing procurement procedures related to public works projects. This legislation had previously passed out of the House Government Affairs Committee and was then recommitted to the committee. The measure passed out of the House Government Affairs Committee a second time this week and is currently eligible for rules consideration.
Passed out of the House Government Affairs Committee

SB 79 by Sen. Russ Goodman
The Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act would establish stiffer criminal penalties for fentanyl-related offenses. It would remove fentanyl from Georgia’s current statutes relating to possessing, selling, distributing, manufacturing, and trafficking opiates and create a separate schedule of offenses specific to fentanyl and its related substances. Current possession penalties start at 1 gram, but this bill would include fentanyl mixtures with any other drug and consider the entire weight of that mixture under the fentanyl schedule.
Passed by the House by Substitute: 131-31 and Senate Agreed
Bill heads to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for consideration

SB 147 by Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett
Legislation which improves support for inmates being released from correctional institutions by mandating the provision of documentation to help them obtain post-release employment. The legislation requires the department to provide eligible inmates with various supportive documents upon release, including a vocational training record, work record, birth certificate, social security card, a resume highlighting trades learned, documentation of a practice job interview, and information about potential occupational licensing opportunities.
Passed by the House by Substitute: 163-0

SB 180 by Sen. Clint Dixon
Legislation relating to the High Demand Apprenticeship Program, so as to provide opportunities for apprenticeship sponsors to enter into apprenticeship program contracts with the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; to provide for completion awards to apprenticeship sponsors for the successful completion of such contracts.
Passed in the House with no amendments: 158-0
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration

SB 193 by Sen. Matt Brass
State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish the adult workforce high school diploma program; authorize
Passed by the House by Substitute: 159-2

SR 446 by Sen. Steve Gooch
A resolution honoring the exceptional service and sacrifices of veterans and recognizing November 2025 as Veterans Month.
Senate Read and Adopted (3/25/2025)

HB 53 by Rep. Josh Bonner
Georgia veterans; allow certain persons to be buried in Georgia veterans cemeteries Passed by the Senate by Substitute: 54-0 and the House Agreed
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration

HB 92 by Rep. Shaw Blackmon
This bill requires cities that opted out of the statewide floating homestead exemption in 2025, and do not have a homestead freeze or floating homestead exemption in place, to reaffirm their opt-out status by March 1, 2027. The bill also establishes a process for cities to rescind their opt-out decisions. The House agreed to the Senate Substitute 165 – 1.
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration  

HB 136 by Rep. Mark Newton
Originally, this legislation expanded the tax credit for individuals providing contributions to foster child organizations. A substitute of this legislation was passed out of the Senate Finance Committee, which includes the original intent of the bill regarding contributions to foster child organizations, but also now mirrors SB 89, by Sen. Brian Strickland, which expands the existing child and dependent care tax credit by changing it from a percentage-based credit to a flat 50% of the federal childcare credit. It also creates a new $250 tax credit for each child under six years old. Additionally, the bill establishes a tax credit for employers who pay childcare expenses for employees, offering $500-$1,000 per child depending on whether it's the first year of providing such payments, with an aggregate limit of $20 million per year.
Passed by the Senate by Substitute: 50-0

HB 164 by Rep. Steven Meeks
Legislation which would remove the sunset on prior legislation which increased the weight limit for trucks hauling agricultural products from 84,000 pounds to 88,000 pounds.
Passed the Senate with no amendments: 55-1
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration  

HB 182 by Rep. Eddie Lumsden
Legislation which prohibits life insurance policies from excluding or restricting liability for certain deaths occurring while an individual is an active-duty service member.
Passed by the Senate by Substitute: 46-0

HB 192 by Rep. Matthew Gambill
Known as the “Top State for Talent Act”, this legislations amends Title 20 of the OCGA related to Education, so as to include specific references to programs included in the High-demand Career List published by the State Workforce Development Board with respect to the State Board of Education's minimum course of study in career education for students in grades six through 12. Passed by the Senate with no amendments: 48-1
Bill heads to the Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration

HB 340 by Rep. Scott Hilton
Legislation known as the Distraction-Free Education Act, this legislation requires local school systems and public schools to enact policies and procedures for use of personal electronic devices at school and school sponsored events by students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Passed by the Senate without amendments: 54-2.
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration

HB 475 by Rep. Matthew Gambill
Legislation relating to income tax credits for film, gaming, video, or digital production, so as to revise a definition. Passed the Senate as amended: 49-5 and the House agreed.
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration  

HB 579 by Rep. Matt Reeves
Streamlines the licensing process by allowing the director of the Professional Licensing Boards Division to review and approve applications, cutting red tape and speeding up decisions for job seekers. Passed the Senate 53 to 0.
Bill heads to Governor Kemp’s desk for consideration  

 

March Cobb Chamber GAC Meeting with the AJC’s Greg Bluestein

This morning, the Cobb Chamber Government Affairs Committee (GAC) enjoyed a fireside chat between GAC Chair Bert Reeves and Greg Bluestein, political reporter and author who covers the governor's office and Georgia politics for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The two discussed the upcoming end to the 2025 legislative session along with federal issues and even Bluestein’s time as a reporter with The Red & Black Publishing Co. newspaper when he was a student at UGA. Bluestein also provided his predictions and thoughts regarding the upcoming 2026 election season including where the dominos might fall once the Governor makes his announcement.

 

Updates from your Chamber

Cobb Chamber Receives Five-Star Accreditation by U.S. Chamber

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Cobb Chamber a 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective procedures, and positive community impact. The U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program promotes excellence in the chamber industry and fosters a pro-business environment across America. To receive accreditation, a chamber must meet standards in governance, government affairs, communications and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete.

Out of more than 7,000 chambers of commerce organizations in the country, only 140 chambers are 5-star accredited. This places the Cobb Chamber in the top 2% of chambers of commerce organizations nationwide.

“This 5-star recognition is a remarkable achievement and significant recognition of the tremendous community impact by our chamber team, board, volunteers, programs, and much more,” said Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber.

Local chambers are rated as Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members, makes the final determination.

 

Join Us for Brunch with the Governor and First Lady 

The Cobb Chamber is proud to welcome Georgia’s 83rd Governor, Brian P. Kemp to April Marquee” Tuesday”   on Tuesday, April 15 at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre. Join us for brunch as Governor Kemp shares insights into the 2025 Legislative Session and a forecast for the remainder of the year. Governor Kemp will be joined by First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the program begins at 10:45 a.m.

Throughout his initial term, Georgia has consistently achieved remarkable economic milestones, setting records in job creation and investment, and fostering opportunities across the entire state. Under his leadership, Georgia has proudly maintained its esteemed title as the Top State for Business for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years.

In addition to the keynote address, SelectCobb past board Chairman Stephen Vault will share an update on economic development activity.

Click here to visit the Marquee Tuesday event page and register! Registration will no longer be available after April 9, 2025.

 

Hear from our Local Legislative Delegation at the Annual Wrap-Up 

After the dust settles and our lawmakers have a chance to catch their breath, join us in April for our annual Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon where key policymakers will share with us what passed, what stalled and what might be on tap after the 2025 election cycle.

Come interact with seasoned veterans and freshman members of the Cobb state legislative delegation and get inside information on the discussions and the decisions which will impact our county, region and state moving forward.
To reserve your seat, click here.

Confirmed members of the Cobb Local Delegation attending as of March 28 include:

  • Rep. Lisa Campbell, Rep. John Carson, Rep. Terry Cummings, Rep. Mekyah McQueen, Rep. Devan Seabaugh
  • Senator Jason Esteves, Senator Kay Kirkpatrick

 

Final Week at the Capitol

Monday, March 31 – Legislative Day 38
Tuesday, April 1 – Committee Work Day
Wednesday, April 2 – Legislative Day 39
Thursday, April 3 – Committee Work Day
Friday, April 4 – Sine Die! Legislative Day 40

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.

 

1100 Circle 75 Pkwy.
Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30339

770-980-2000
cobbchamber.org

 
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