[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6306607,"mediaKeyId","2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af","parentId",2436813,"title","Committee OKs limits on THC content in hemp products; Department of Agriculture testing capacity cited","audioSeconds",1814,"startMs",4382000,"endMs",6196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af&start=4382&end=6196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af/thumbnail_4382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306607/Georgia/Committee-OKs-limits-on-THC-content-in-hemp-products-Department-of-Agriculture-testing-capacity-cited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306607-2b19ecf1e2d489d51066f4f226f73c60/orig.mp4?Expires=1773562610&Signature=FpqNKW2h0ux62gq94EgumkC4v4rNL-GnK~0KJ7PS7ghtjHzD1stGtcQAzlJAeWO0vD~DfX-e1tAkHjQSJwIs2IdzoKEWVkCWqW1Vv6FwBYb~XerjY8hSDQAM3s7ENvvC4iK8o22qpjv4WLub7MISv79G3JsnQEca2eIuPnNv6DOUJv5HCZcjob-KylX6zLKzXXOxBtlYGo8NVhuBayDc1~QrjMCGA~Ktg2ycHyE9~ob7uKFyAumXhZCZnmyqlg7E6t3GRuU91Qn9fNpdBnNMlKJrbdrhB5UB~D5AeptUgvAs-3soOlYJVAsfhf5Hmho~CbjPEHM5dYbRIAScUtFf7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","A Georgia Senate committee voted to pass Senate Bill 254, a measure that would codify numerical limits for total THC in various classes of hemp-derived consumer products and clarify that multiple THC isomers (for example, delta-8, delta-9 and delta-10) fall under the statutory limits.

Sponsor Sen. Summers said the bill builds on Department of Agriculture rules and would set per-serving and per-container caps for commonly sold product types: 10 milligrams of total THC per serving for gummies (with a per-package cap referenced in testimony at 150–300 milligrams), beverages capped at 5 milligrams of total THC per 12-ounce container (the department's earlier rule had allowed 10 mg per 12 oz), and limits on tinctures and topicals (a codified 1 milligram per milliliter cap for certain topicals and 1,000 mg total per container were discussed as consistent with department practice).

Catherine Ross (Department of Agriculture) told the committee the department's Certificate of Analysis (COA) testing requirements already include delta-8 and delta-10 alongside delta-9 and that the agency can perform the testing; she also noted that enforcement and testing impose costs and said that additional funding to the department would be needed to scale enforcement. \"Our rules currently require that any COA test for a number of things beyond delta 9, and delta 8 and delta 10 are both currently on that list,\" Ross said in committee testimony.

Industry and advocacy witnesses expressed divergent views. Greg Raducah of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy supported the bill and urged clear, product-specific weight/volume limits to prevent unregulated vape/e-liquid products from slipping through. Ashlyn Swan of SunMed CBD, which sells CBD products, opposed tighter limits and warned the bill could push consumers to an unregulated market and harm farmers and small businesses; she also disputed some broad safety characterizations made in opposition testimony. Mike Griffin (Georgia Baptist Mission Board) supported regulation and urged caution over public-health impacts.

Committee action: A motion to pass was made (mover identified in the transcript as Senator Ginn) and seconded by the Majority Leader; the committee voted in favor and the chair announced the motion carried. The transcript records committee discussion about aligning statutory caps with Department of Agriculture rules and about enforcement funding.

Why this matters: Lawmakers said the bill aims to standardize how total THC is calculated and limited across product types and to ensure labs test for multiple THC isomers, limiting highly intoxicating products on store shelves while preserving legitimate hemp markets. Department officials testified they can test for the listed isomers but that enforcement will require funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/27/2025 Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 254, which proposes numerical limits on total THC in consumable hemp products (including gummies, beverages and topicals) and codifies rules for testing multiple THC isomers, passed the committee after sponsor testimony and a multi-stakeholder hearing.","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},6306610,"Senate resolution to ask voters about casino gaming fails to leave committee after contentious hearing",1962,2530000,4492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af&start=2530&end=4492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af/thumbnail_2530000.jpg","/articles/6306610/Georgia/Senate-resolution-to-ask-voters-about-casino-gaming-fails-to-leave-committee-after-contentious-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306610-4c36c2c31cf6da0faae954153908eae1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773562610&Signature=ayb0URxOxOrvk~fjJ7gg43cucsN0kRJ7O~TC68e3cwbtQMp84ITJykGLjhstWYXa-XDLccsSQfjZBQRPAxFHVwHN2SaYBRz7a8hE2PhjUS2gcRmuVPZhJM8sSuZr8psGmQIkRR2pH3EFQxO-ouSmTrQWWmbbGCn6eIU7UzVcF4-LnPpEsQvLfi~S2urjwgmOHZEIcJ~~2de8bd2uY3l2iPye5y8QBYLwzvx3jK2QbAAN7e4BUpO-RIOneRfTCulwJ-4ar6yqs6iGLqF3BMeEn81SmLIrhVU-ykqH3qEtQ75308lAhpNpX-qb4O9se2smeNRkrsHLrMgvIG6YXvqC2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Georgia Senate committee declined to advance a proposed constitutional amendment resolution that would ask voters whether the General Assembly should be authorized to regulate and tax casino gaming and sports betting.

Sponsor Sen. Summers framed the resolution as a voter-rights question. \"This isn't about forcing gambling on anyone. It's about letting the people decide,\" Summers said, arguing that a nonbinding primary poll showed strong support in Republican primary counties and that a commission and tax structure (20 percent rate discussed in testimony) could be established by enabling legislation.

The hearing drew multiple witnesses opposed to expansion of state-sponsored gaming, including Mike Griffin of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and Paul Smith of Citizens Impact, who cited socioeconomic and public-health concerns. A retired law professor, identified in the transcript as an expert witness, summarized academic studies arguing gaming imposes social costs many times revenue gains; testimony and questions also raised human-trafficking and criminal-justice concerns.

Committee debate centered on whether a ballot question would accurately reflect the policy details sponsors described. Several senators asked whether the resolution's ballot language (the question that would go before voters) actually contains the revenue-sharing provisions the sponsor emphasized in committee, and whether enabling legislation would be available to lock in county distributions. The sponsor acknowledged aspects such as distribution details could be addressed in later enabling legislation but said he would \"respecify\" language to reflect 5% reserves for problem-gaming programs.

Committee action: Sponsor Summers moved the resolution out of committee and Rules Chairman Matt Brass seconded the motion. The committee then voted; the chair called for opposed hands and announced \"Motion fails.\" The transcript shows a failed motion; no numeric roll was recorded.

Why this matters: The measure would have asked Georgia voters whether to lift the state constitutional prohibition on casino gaming and sports betting and would have directed enabling legislation to set up licensing, oversight and revenue distribution. Opponents warned of social costs and said the nonbinding primary question that spurred sponsor interest had been confusing to voters. Proponents pointed to potential revenue streams and a statutory structure to distribute early revenue equally to all counties and to fund problem-gambling programs.","Senate Resolution 131, which would put a constitutional question to voters on authorizing casino gaming and sports betting, failed to pass out of the committee after a hearing that included testimony both for and against the measure and questions about ballot wording and revenue distribution.",{"_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},6306615,"Committee advances bill to license and regulate human composting, sponsor cites sanitary safeguards",883,1634000,2517000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af&start=1634&end=2517","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","/articles/6306615/Georgia/Committee-advances-bill-to-license-and-regulate-human-composting-sponsor-cites-sanitary-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306615-9d606cf333cde0bd94cd8957520a01bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773562610&Signature=Kn-Y9TUtbJSG-lL-dF5iT8U7HFZpBg7gN3CQNjPcTvkhicvdkzwVsNR6Xg5~G9eF2LJhIHB4bUeZuTenaeVe7PxoF8n~aVcUhSnf8yWK81Qlhy5Arqo9QGQPvJDclrUqrJfiYka0mX5WYrmPOjIkOW0i0NFl92NnzVBbG5m6FXNsp7aJSqqX4zzxZuL9nvJfRXDUYQlRxNrbfMbYc17P31M6h48envm29~AAWJhbB-FnbbC7ipy0c9W~onS8IZrkW-z3av7EKMF6H7hcch5j82jrDQltafaiqb0~UdzC-oJ5ivsM9~YrdVo-C1A340VnjvQbdFIMV-ZoG~4jZ2PLqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Georgia Senate committee voted to advance Senate Bill 241, sponsor Senator Williams told the panel, to authorize and regulate human composting — described in the bill as \"organic human reduction\" — and to put sanitary guardrails in place.

Williams said accepted methods of disposition currently listed in law include burial, green burial, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, and donation to medical or research institutions, and that his bill would add a regulated option for composting. \"This is just human composting and ... this is tightening up and putting the guardrails,\" Williams said, citing other states that have legalized similar processes and industry interest in establishing standards to avoid past failures.

An individual who described traveling to Washington state to view a facility testified about the controlled process: bodies placed in a vessel with wood chips and other organics, monitored to reach temperatures between approximately \"141 and 161 degrees,\" left for about \"6 to 8 weeks,\" then placed in another container for an additional \"4 to 6 weeks\" while the resulting soil is tested. He described the end product as hygienic soil that may be returned to families or donated to land banks; he estimated a family share about \"the size of a back of a pickup truck\" (roughly one cubic yard). He said the cost to families is \"probably gonna be around $10,000\" and that equipment to set up a facility could cost on the order of \"$250,000, 3 hundred thousand dollars.\" The witness also told the committee the process he observed smelled \"like a feed store,\" not foul, and that facilities include air scrubbers to control odors.

Questions from senators focused on religious accommodations, commingling of remains (the witness said facilities do not commingle remains), where final soil might be used, market demand and costs. Williams and witnesses said some states have legalized the process and that the intent of the bill was to regulate an activity that currently has little or no statewide licensing framework; Williams singled out failures elsewhere as a reason to set guardrails in advance.

Committee action: A motion to pass was made and seconded (mover identified in the transcript as Senator Summers, second by Senator Albers). The committee voted by raised hands and the chair announced the motion \"passes unanimously.\" The transcript records no amendments at the hearing.

Why this matters: Supporters framed the bill as a public-health and consumer-protection measure that allows an additional disposition choice while preventing unregulated or inhumane operations. The bill directs the regulatory structure and licensing rather than creating an immediate commercialization plan.","Senate Bill 241, which would add \"organic human reduction\" (human composting) to the statutory list of permitted final dispositions and require licensing and sanitary guardrails, passed the committee unanimously after testimony from an industry visitor and sponsor explanation of safeguards.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6306620,"Senate committee unanimously approves bill targeting commercial cheating services",273,1407000,1680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af&start=1407&end=1680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436813-a456175753f8944758b6ad3549a7f1af/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/6306620/Georgia/Senate-committee-unanimously-approves-bill-targeting-commercial-cheating-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306620-ecc37c7187e0bbc67e6ed6298049f593/orig.mp4?Expires=1773562610&Signature=jruNTy74-X8mlTEP57IbCjxvExLT7CuGYLWM82wzKGqLA1eKKAAMMYyZVzHlX8bcU-n4j7ZFkEB~0tjSKlMqdvOdApNCMBxZkcEllSZuxJY4J4c~2EsZJtmjSNqr78WZQKcZFFBpv7nDmjG-dPrCJq7tB~40wWMoU7DY9aOTODV0y-k4ouolsqi0yuNv2scGGgZgU95FMqZRMmU0LJu25OgtcK3petZQXT-fSa2~8wODgAvEJxPHz5KTEndKG~mMIXo0ekKdXx1Yk~~RKLFmdhXKe8rAbrUWX8lQCww8IC0UrF0zCGO4iiTvUJulnOBf8712nro1Pj9avT3PFjc8pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Georgia Senate committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 213, aimed at curbing commercial cheating services that complete exams, homework or course work for paying customers.

Sponsor Sen. Kirkpatrick said the practice has spread across education and occupational licensing and presents both academic-integrity and public-safety concerns. \"Commercial cheating has become a widespread problem at all levels of education, including occupational licensing,\" Kirkpatrick said, describing the activity as a \"billion dollar industry\" and citing news reports and a letter from the Credential Integrity Action Alliance.

The bill would add the activity to the state's unfair trade practices framework and allow civil penalties under a cited provision of state law. Kirkpatrick told the committee the draft uses the civil-penalty authority already \"outlined in 10 dash 1 dash 3 97\" and that she had spoken with university system, Secretary of State and Department of Education officials who did not raise objections.

Committee action: Senator Albers moved to pass the bill and the motion was seconded by the Dean of the Senate. The chair called for a voice/hand vote; committee members voted in favor and the measure passed unanimously (hands raised; exact roll count not specified in the transcript).

Why this matters: Supporters said the measure signals state enforcement against commercial operators who facilitate cheating for profit and could reduce demand for those services; the bill relies on existing civil-penalty mechanisms rather than creating a new criminal offense. The sponsor noted practical limits to legislation but said making the activity unlawful could make shortcuts harder to obtain.

The committee did not record extended debate or technical amendments in the transcript. The bill was advanced to allow further consideration in the legislative process.","A Georgia Senate committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 213, which would make it unlawful for businesses to provide substantially completed work products for commercial purposes — targeting firms that take exams, write essays or complete courses for pay.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee OKs limits on THC content in hemp products; Department of Agriculture testing capacity cited

Senate resolution to ask voters about casino gaming fails to leave committee after contentious hearing

Committee advances bill to license and regulate human composting, sponsor cites sanitary safeguards

Senate committee unanimously approves bill targeting commercial cheating services