[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6313061,"mediaKeyId","2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31","parentId",2389632,"title","Senate panel backs bill to require large electric customers to bear their own costs; amendment to extend rule to co-ops fails","audioSeconds",796,"startMs",1503000,"endMs",706450,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31&start=1503&end=706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31/thumbnail_1503000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313061/Georgia/Senate-panel-backs-bill-to-require-large-electric-customers-to-bear-their-own-costs-amendment-to-extend-rule-to-co-ops-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313061-211e8f329547eba0a9cb83e7b6fc1a56/orig.mp4?Expires=1773745217&Signature=dUyueMIDk-ODgj3mspMOWHL2Wc1dgkMejhDKfiz-IRfLtEXGNUrq7iBpnXJ9BxI09FS5Qv2h7QiKmd0fXQSivGPzRgzaEp43eaNUPxykduadXAu4Pl6pQYpDE4CbOn3yPqHv--U~PliQfbE5kiKFoxQ8a1JpsB8HN4dyUJKO1AOFMsLi5O6E9ro4r2-7O57CiMDPrbqYzs09Y1~YITXe5PvAOijAqbTjzefm9zLPcW27roach80Z9-ndjQeH-CPcXpu4srY3ALUx5Vf88dr0qoWk4benZ61iAsAgaU3VkhQvy1qzTV21FSGQLfD2TLeu8yywXy0HNLDoNRJ252-oZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Hufstedler, chair of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, opened debate on Senate Bill 34, saying the bill would ‘‘codify the law that those responsible for the cost will pay for the cost’’ of electricity used by large new customers such as data centers and would stop those costs from being shifted to residential and small-business ratepayers.

The bill’s author and multiple witnesses framed the issue around recent rule changes adopted by the Georgia Public Service Commission and the growth in demand from data centers. Robert \"Bobby\" Baker, a former Public Service Commission member who testified in favor of SB 34, told the committee the PSC’s January 23, 2025 rule changes give utilities ‘‘complete discretion’’ and contain ‘‘numerous loopholes’’ that leave existing customers unprotected. He said the rules allow a utility to require additional contract terms for customers with expected peak demand of 100 megawatts or more but do not mandate recovery from the large customer.

Georgia Power told the committee the company’s approach will protect existing customers. Aaron Mitchell, vice president of pricing and planning for Georgia Power, said the utility is building roughly 3,300 megawatts of new capacity that it expects to bring online by the winter of 2028 and that the company has committed that ‘‘residential customers will pay nothing, in excess to, account for those 3,300 megawatts of new generating resources.’’ Mitchell said Georgia Power requires 100% upfront payment for on-site substations or local transmission built solely to serve a large customer so those specific costs do not enter rate base.

Tom Bond, director of utilities at the Public Service Commission, said the PSC supports the bill’s goal to protect ratepayers but cautioned that embedding rules in statute could reduce the commission’s flexibility to handle unique cases in evidentiary proceedings; he added the PSC ‘‘defers to the will of the legislature.’’

Consumer advocates and policy groups urged the committee to act. Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, said residents are struggling to pay power bills and urged lawmakers to adopt the bill and the amendment extending coverage to electric membership corporations (EMCs) and municipal utilities. Patty Duran of Cool Planet Solutions presented bill-level evidence showing residential bills have risen substantially in recent years and highlighted fuel cost riders and other charges that are not always included in advertised rate comparisons.

Committee discussion touched on the Territorial Service Act (the state statute that allows large customers to shop for electric service), the timeline for new generation to be built, and the mechanics of how costs are recovered and allocated. Witnesses differed about how much of the new generation costs would be borne by data centers versus shared across customers; former PSC member Baker said data centers are a ‘‘continuous load’’ that can create large capital needs, while Georgia Power emphasized commitments to recover costs from those customers and to require collateral.

Senator Summers offered an amendment (Amendment 1) to place the bill’s language into a code section that would make the same requirements applicable to ‘‘all electric suppliers’’ — meaning Georgia Power, EMCs and municipal systems. Committee legal counsel explained the amendment would insert the language into a different chapter so it would apply broadly. The amendment did not receive a second and was not considered.

The committee later took formal action. Senator Albers moved that the committee give SB 34 a favorable report by substitute; Senator Sims seconded. The committee voted to report the bill favorably by substitute and move it to the Rules Committee. The vote was recorded as 8 in favor and 5 opposed.

Supporters said the bill would protect residential ratepayers from bearing costs tied to new large loads; opponents and some utility witnesses cautioned about unintended consequences and urged careful drafting so that customers who cause incremental, pro rata system changes are not required to absorb disproportionate shares of shared assets. Several committee members asked for specifics on pro rata allocation and for clearer drafting to avoid creating disincentives for necessary system upgrades.

The committee’s action advances SB 34 to the next stage of the legislative process; an amendment to broaden the statute to EMCs and municipal utilities was proposed but failed to gain consideration in committee.

Votes at a glance: SB 34 — motion to report favorably by substitute passed 8–5; Amendment 1 (to extend applicability to all electric suppliers) did not receive a second and was not adopted.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/25/2025 Senate Committee on Regulated Industries & Utilities","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Hufstedler, chair of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, opened debate on Senate Bill 34, saying the bill would ‘‘codify the law that those responsible for the cost will pay for the cost’’ of electricity used by large new customers such as data centers and would stop those costs from being shifted to residential and small-business ratepayers.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313052,"Panel hears proposal for provisional licenses for internationally trained physicians; sponsors plan further review",29,802337,831340,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31&start=802&end=831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31/thumbnail_802337.jpg","/articles/6313052/Georgia/Panel-hears-proposal-for-provisional-licenses-for-internationally-trained-physicians-sponsors-plan-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313052-42da49d73c9b1d1d70ecf48ce841072d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773745217&Signature=UfgCAhO7IyNJSDNCVRKWWBg0-chai0s71oLrFkBxtKPoi-ChwwRhj1FyXULQWe3oDITiFyVFGMNXcwWSUnKhecsuFEFM3FJpwqzmLM7WCFu8ok4uqJMrmsTEIh8GiaW2jJ9TtHCwzBZp75FQWxWWb8JOk8a0GpzXVEd1chlKXE-SidgM10dXNsMX~f3175tqOu445qigDlKz6U-6a20-ndPoLueTtxW2FHB8Jzn7aZO9B3LHzqiO7jo0JWa7jCU1oXuRMITIim-p~PHpJyIpmL4-0EA7xNlqxrZRdqq~wNCe7~QRdz9ayX8FTQb7nczYXEv0zHcGHMNXiRCZVNB5Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Jackson introduced Senate Bill 142 as a two-phase pathway for internationally trained physicians to obtain a limited Georgia license while working in medically underserved areas.

Under the version presented, applicants must be medical-school graduates who have been licensed and worked as physicians in another country within a recent window (sponsor language described work within three of the prior seven years). The bill as described would permit a provisional license for two years while the physician takes required U.S. medical exams and works under supervision; after meeting examination and supervision requirements, the physician could extend eligibility by committing to serve an additional two years in a designated high-need setting (for example, a rural hospital or a federally qualified health center). Committee members framed the proposal as a way to increase the number of practicing physicians in rural and underserved areas and to make hiring quicker for facilities with workforce shortages.

Senator Jackson said the bill was developed following recommendations from the Senate Rural Health study group and emphasized safeguards: applicants must be hired by the institution that will supervise them, take national licensing exams (United States Medical Licensing Examination steps), and work under supervision before receiving a more standard license. He said the sponsor’s goal is to help facilities recruit and retain physicians who may establish roots after several years of service.

The committee did not vote on SB 142 and the sponsor said he planned to bring interested stakeholders back for additional testimony and to refine technical details; the bill was not advanced and hearing time was limited. Several senators indicated support in principle but asked for more detail and for formal testimony from licensing authorities and hospitals before the committee considers formal action.

","Senator Jackson described SB 142, a two-stage provisional licensing path for physicians trained outside the U.S. who agree to work in high-need areas. The committee heard an overview but did not take action; the sponsor said the measure will be revised and witnesses will be invited back for additional testimony.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313055,"Senate committee advances bill to streamline physician licensing paperwork; small technical amendment adopted",843,7203000,8046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31&start=7203&end=8046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389632-0e3d54c949436e9133f349cbe6d9ba31/thumbnail_7203000.jpg","/articles/6313055/Georgia/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-streamline-physician-licensing-paperwork-small-technical-amendment-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313055-534c14cb429af8d0cfac27347669a616/orig.mp4?Expires=1773745217&Signature=U5Xs3HnvozrCBbC1YS5kJxXg26gIMdxefpK4d-Z5OgZY~kJDwTiBS0iZU-lcojj58GZXCNbhhSaNeFLVreVYNRxQKDKo08eEuA7NbR1EW~F9P8vmbhGZVKUypoO2PIq-hLiYNCXPCpcwG6BKjhMmIlzZEy5QWTXVGEoWbTxbklBnPpTHjso7J-9tad3BWh2DYdYJLEJe9X2goslnaiF4WQv-5dStBlGpJdfHQml2OhUX0inCRaz-UdBu1U2wb3yOyX5d5F--pAJ7Whgdbc3fKlm70fWYV0B0Ccz2X7iF-3fLlkyu-uPHvTB8Nc3~uJgZIrnMM6fncyS0FWkGq~YlFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Estelle presented Senate Bill 162 to the Regulated Industries Committee as a measure to modernize and accelerate physician licensure and to reduce duplicate paperwork for hospitals and health systems. Estelle said the bill would move Georgia toward an online system proven in other states and would allow faster licensing for physicians while preserving hospitals’ ability to require additional site-specific conditions.

Ryan Miller, representing the Georgia Hospital Association, told the committee the association supports SB 162 and thanked the author for efforts to streamline licensure. Jason Jones, executive director of the Georgia Composite Medical Board, said the board has been working with the senator to deploy a new licensing system and believes the change will speed licensing; he said the board does not perform hospital credentialing (hospital privileges) but can contribute to a smoother process.

Committee members and proponents said the proposed system has been piloted with medical students and that hospitals reported faster onboarding when the new process was used. The sponsor and the medical board emphasized the distinction between licensing (state board function) and hospital credentialing (facility privileges) and proposed language to avoid conflating the two.

Senator Albers offered a narrowly tailored technical amendment to change two references to ‘‘credentialing’’ to ‘‘licensing’’ (lines 3 and 12 in the draft); Senator Summers seconded the amendment. The committee adopted that amendment. A motion to report the bill favorably by Senator Albers, seconded by Senator Anderson, carried unanimously. The committee chair said additional technical changes could be handled in the Rules Committee or on the floor.

The bill advances the licensing modernization effort but sponsors and witnesses said they would continue to refine language to ensure hospitals retain discretion to require site-specific qualifications and to avoid unintentionally altering authority over nurse practitioners or other professions covered by different boards.

","The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted unanimously to report SB 162 favorably after sponsors and medical stakeholders agreed on technical changes to streamline licensing procedures and to change wording from \"credentialing\" to \"licensing.\" The bill directs the composite medical board to implement an updated online process to speed licens","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate panel backs bill to require large electric customers to bear their own costs; amendment to extend rule to co-ops fails

Panel hears proposal for provisional licenses for internationally trained physicians; sponsors plan further review

Senate committee advances bill to streamline physician licensing paperwork; small technical amendment adopted