[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6615857,"mediaKeyId","2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab","parentId",2857778,"title","House approves expanded tax credits for foster‑youth support and child care incentives","audioSeconds",309,"startMs",3452000,"endMs",3761000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab&start=3452&end=3761","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab/thumbnail_3452000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6615857/Georgia/House-approves-expanded-tax-credits-for-fosteryouth-support-and-child-care-incentives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615857-66f15f5b5e586553b95aa0b3efbbb779/orig.mp4?Expires=1775448590&Signature=LOc6tj9zkJYeIdhlk6p4w4keHWErikyGJhy~usMDEElwM-QX8hTA1mM-v7BIwotwMuch7xO2iKxi7zUUvvFTPNrH6wnOJ8WROxuRWNYASsgCEAxIjXp2kl9if8kVIQUEJQAMekYCUSD1ugPdhJiXuC40lmGSOHEUUPMG5Ax54tVM9fBH0t340djtZdmxyMxdsYMpmRLeC5heBTpCgfJsNUX~PTkTspLB25dEG0nAxkeS9e2G5PbJstITVom-yrHO95X7ZiDoQZFZd0xwhQLkJ~spsEZr6D4CYBaf7jVfuPc~ovLbdRw2R35kx22fza17Y2u2NycHjYljpNIT6pt1-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-04-03T03:12:31.36Z","article","The Georgia House on Thursday approved the Senate substitute to House Bill 136, a measure that expands tax credits for contributions to organizations that support former foster youth and adds incentives related to child care costs.

Representative Mark Newton presented the bill and said it strengthens and streamlines a program to help former foster youth with tuition, housing, food and transportation as they transition to adulthood. He said the Senate’s changes added provisions to address childcare costs and increase certain credits.

The Senate substitute also incorporated provisions from Senate Bill 89 that expand a childcare‑related tax credit, including an additional $250 credit for children under age six and incentives for corporations that contribute to local childcare organizations, the House presentation said.

The House adopted an amendment to restore the existing pass‑through requirement for foster‑support donations: 80% of donated funds must be passed through to students (the Senate had proposed 90%). Representative Newton said the 80% pass‑through requirement is a minimum and that the additional administrative flexibility (raising allowable administrative spending to 20%) was intended to help organizations hire trained staff to assist youth with benefits and services.

Representative Stacy Evans questioned the change to administrative‑cost caps and whether activities like arranging transportation or assisting with Pell grants constituted direct services; Newton replied that trained staff salaries are part of overhead but that a minimum of 80% must go directly to student needs, and a $100 per month mentor stipend maximum was retained for mentor support.

The House voted 163 yeas to 4 nays to agree to the Senate substitute as amended by the House.

Supporters said the changes would allow organizations to better support former foster youth as they transition to independence, while questioning members sought to ensure the bulk of donations continue to go to direct services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Session Day 39: 04.02.25 (PM 2)","oneSentenceSummary","The House agreed to a Senate substitute for HB 136 to increase tax credits tied to foster‑child support organizations and add incentives for employer contributions to childcare; the House restored an 80% pass‑through floor requirement for donations to beneficiaries.","taxTitle","HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",15505,"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},6615861,"House agrees to student‑loan repayment program for veterinarians serving in shelter medicine",647,6469000,7116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab&start=6469&end=7116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab/thumbnail_6469000.jpg","/articles/6615861/Georgia/House-agrees-to-studentloan-repayment-program-for-veterinarians-serving-in-shelter-medicine","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615861-30cd10369c3e22be3e5a23d78e2ae013/orig.mp4?Expires=1775448590&Signature=VINgOhkJTbnzbbBOCxXyuRoqPZ3z4zo~rMqcKSvh1WOxd-00vBONGBo8EEAWrbrEx0CtQRd5luWZFvCvBVe3nTxI0jI8~X4fSMKv5rAn4wsT2boOSnBEISOE2ZrQslV4lWRWQLfjMevnbgoM8suY~pk3f~guqRZb6A9ssr2bdBemS0kXWiEwl74XpzUXUa6dZDx87MhUkXymJeRQSmjQXjqwzBbSZFnbvHW9Z18IT68O9Nx~7VHeQD~fLvRikiVf771zuhPR5Wdmuv6G5bdEVjDt1Rhsb9l4t7XF-AlWfiBVnZ7nzaXxZGPNAgBevAk-M1ngr7rmFek8P8j2k8Yjng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House agreed to the rules committee substitute for Senate Bill 20 on Thursday. The bill combines provisions from Senate Bill 20 and previously passed House Bill 56 and includes a program to provide service‑cancelable loans to veterinarians who practice shelter medicine and sterilization services at nonprofit clinics.

Representative Hilton presented the Senate bill and said it is an effort to address a shortage of veterinarians working in shelter medicine by offering loan repayment in exchange for three years of designated practice in the state. \"Senate Bill 20 is an attempt to help with the shortage of veterinarians practicing in shelter medicine and nonprofit pet sterilization clinics around the state,\" Representative Hilton said on the floor.

Chairman Petrie explained that House Bill 56—now incorporated into SB20—adds spouses to public safety memorial grants and extends tuition benefits to children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently maimed in the line of duty, and adds a provision capturing public school employees in similar circumstances.

Members asked procedural and substantive questions about the bill’s mechanics, including how specific disability categories were defined and what regulatory rules the state boards would adopt to implement the program. Representative Park Cannon expressed concerns about receiving late distribution of the bill text. Representative Hilton and Chairman Petrie said sections 1–3 derived from HB56 and that the loan‑repayment provision begins in section 4.

The clerk announced the bill received the requisite constitutional majority and was passed. The transcript records the bill as passed; the exact recorded vote total in the floor transcript was presented in a garbled form but the clerk announced the bill \"received a requisite constitutional majority\" and declared it passed.

Supporters said the loan‑repayment provision will help recruit veterinarians to public‑service roles in animal shelters and sterilization clinics. Members requested further details about board rulemaking authority and specific implementation steps; bill sponsors said boards would promulgate rules \"as are reasonable and necessary to implement the provisions of this part.\"","The House agreed to a rules committee substitute for Senate Bill 20, which includes provisions to provide service‑cancelable loans to veterinarians who practice shelter medicine and incorporates a prior House bill expanding memorial-grant tuition benefits.",{"_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},6615866,"Local bill to increase Fulton County sheriff pay fails on supplemental local calendar",89,2759000,2848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab&start=2759&end=2848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab/thumbnail_2759000.jpg","/articles/6615866/Georgia/Local-bill-to-increase-Fulton-County-sheriff-pay-fails-on-supplemental-local-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615866-905795dd04e559a3cc229d3c86cdf580/orig.mp4?Expires=1775448590&Signature=JrMVZi3mOPR54tJpkfpTvKtv7ylARpW1aEle8A~-UTNvylP6fdsgOuV~F-TxECd90hdSXHFo-zRfWXYt-TzhT2qvPVsBR96PqVmUEjq-ZF4s65~RQ~~hM2zdKJzcCcpobxF8MhMLASQBqqpEoouu7SKoUMHEKNM4A-phbTHN9EmeYgX7EBHV4aBF2luYrDdZO-lfHq7K0XI3cq4HL~zs1JdCx7nqWH~uX022m0ZzwRLJ~ZNfjwG0FvFFITCLl8~daGkHMJz~iNqfcUindXhoBBVkcxreXDAzCu~Rus1ygDm~eNnkoN17OhzupM-T86EtHtyyWc2sjHfnu6KFIrwHjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A local bill affecting Fulton County — House Bill 862 — failed to pass the House on the supplemental local calendar on Thursday after members raised procedural and substantive objections.

The clerk read HB 862 as the lone bill on the supplemental local calendar. When the House voted on the bill the recorded tally was 63 yeas and 88 nays, which the clerk announced after the machine was locked.

Representative Hughley moved reconsideration of the vote, but the motion to reconsider failed after a second recorded vote on the motion to reconsider produced 67 ayes and 96 nays. Members of the Fulton County delegation questioned whether they had been provided copies of the bill in accordance with delegation rules; Representative Jan Jones said, \"Although I can only speak for myself, I never did receive a copy, and that is why I will explain my no vote.\" Representative Jackson said he had provided copies to the delegation chair and the intergovernmental chair per delegation rules.

During floor colloquy, Representative Jackson raised a parliamentary inquiry about why members had voted differently on this local bill than on other local bills during the session. Other members expressed concern that HB 862 would create a single sheriff with pay that is \"disproportionate to other office holders across our state,\" a point raised in a parliamentary inquiry noted on the floor.

The House recorded its failure to reconsider and moved on to other legislative business. The transcript does not record further detail on the precise salary change contained in the bill; members on the floor said questions about notice and courtesy to the Fulton County delegation influenced votes.

Because HB 862 was a local bill on the supplemental calendar, members said the delegates ordinarily work to resolve local items at the local-delegation level; the failure to pass and the unsuccessful reconsideration mean the bill did not advance from the House on Thursday.","A local bill (HB 862) that prompted objections from Fulton County members failed on the supplemental local calendar and a subsequent motion to reconsider also failed after debate over delegation notice and the sheriff’s salary.",{"_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},6615872,"House adopts framework for legislative subpoenas and investigations after debate over safeguards",1416,12071000,13487000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab&start=12071&end=13487","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab/thumbnail_12071000.jpg","/articles/6615872/Georgia/House-adopts-framework-for-legislative-subpoenas-and-investigations-after-debate-over-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615872-6eb0fbab687e1678950a448f234a8a0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775448590&Signature=KXs2LTZY5RbaD-bnHyqbY95lQNTARFWwny0VjPu285HbaFBZvQCVQXqNAmkjV0dTqM-dJs7UBTnlk8pfg4qYcnO~DLTxp2TNfY8H6Hne28cjnj6f4j6B6Jor4Wk7J~fP0LxRFE-vv26hjQ91YnIWVCzVCKmlrmBpV-8ts8Xij7gAd--p3RjlRAiTpiewbaKAlcdcnNl4lGjtAmJQkdiz2qs9b1mpowgyx04Ixwr4Lk9PB3I342D-Bev12~dBn~pkr3oBlfepgGEygysgoI5-I4LfiQQP7JLlQeHUk5jsbcqm421YuahFjXlBq~q~bXOPlC2dBVwkcF6cQy4ergsuvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House on Thursday adopted Senate Bill 255, a measure that codifies procedures for how the General Assembly—or committees authorized by the chamber—may exercise investigatory powers, including administering oaths and issuing subpoenas for testimony and documents.

Supporters described the bill as a clarification of constitutional authority. Representative Leverett, who presented the bill, said it \"simply sets some guardrails and processes in place\" so committees and chambers have a clear statutory path to exercise investigatory authority.

Opponents warned that the bill lacks meaningful limits and could be used for partisan investigations without adequate due-process protections. Representative Park (Rep. Sam Park) said the measure \"gives partisan legislators the ability the subpoena power and the ability to investigate through legislative committees,\" and warned it could be wielded to target political opponents or nonprofit organizations.

Committee debate and floor discussion probed several procedural issues: whether authorization should require bipartisan support, what notice and findings would be required, and who would pay legal costs when subpoenas are litigated. Representative Tanya Miller, a former prosecutor, urged further work on procedural guardrails and cautioned against rushing a law that could authorize compelled testimony and demands for private communications.

The House voted 91 yeas to 67 nays to pass the bill after adopting the committee substitute. The bill’s sponsor said it does not expand legislative power but provides clarity and a statutory structure for enforcement and confidentiality where necessary. Critics pointed out the measure reached the floor through the Rules Committee and said that limited committee review and amendments.

Supporters said the statute will help the legislature perform oversight on agencies and programs in a predictable, lawful way. Detractors said additional safeguards—bipartisan authorization requirements, explicit notice obligations, and clearer protections for individuals—should be added to prevent abuse.

The bill passed 91–67 and will be filed with the appropriate body for enrollment under legislative procedure.","The House approved Senate Bill 255 to codify procedures for legislative investigative powers, including committee subpoena authority, prompting concerns about partisan misuse and calls for guardrails.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6615876,"Georgia House passes Religious Freedom bill after hours of heated debate",4529,7525000,12054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab&start=7525&end=12054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857778-5d73ef52887864e53955234e09429dab/thumbnail_7525000.jpg","/articles/6615876/Georgia/Georgia-House-passes-Religious-Freedom-bill-after-hours-of-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615876-e8238988b3799d8e76c163f0d058b3de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775448590&Signature=o4OTBRRODsqTxxqjFCXAHN9K2PH1T44~gLYPo~DyYkxB2cbgU6WhBlyN0Qf-QwH3k0qfg5pIeAA66QoWTQxMZEqtQoqpOpFrEH2NPmlrcdP--fBh3mRQPw4SlqOYrDD7QsH3wpyt0bi0~dvs8raFfm4F5nQg03qxpdks~U7cLCQW0Ox1ZGgZRZUoey-BoAFWIFafRdOnG103wT8p8~dJNj0miepIhAv6HL6bqhDq00xpr5lNoTDqmue-2ewEjNNQrYFk9-wE0spQFklG47S7jU19eBE9rdAQDI57t6QfEHHcNE9iYpDFzdBRNWjbWx6De7bk0WKPmIkpk6ZsoEmMXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House passed Senate Bill 36 on Thursday, adopting a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that requires the government to show a compelling interest and use the least-restrictive means before substantially burdening an individual’s religious exercise.

Supporters said the measure simply extends the federal RFRA standard to state and local government actions. \"This measure reaffirms a bedrock principle that no Georgian should have their sincere religious exercise substantially burdened by the government without a compelling reason,\" Representative Will Wade said on the floor.

Opponents said the bill creates a risk of legal claims that could be used to justify discrimination and could generate costly litigation. \"This bill opens the door to dangerous consequences, particularly for the civil rights of marginalized communities across our state,\" Representative Representative Willis said, adding that similar measures have prompted business backlash and legal disputes in other states.

Debate in the chamber ran late and drew numerous speakers on both sides. Representative Tyler Paul Smith, who presented the bill for the sponsor, emphasized the bill’s focus on government burdens and said it is not intended to permit private discrimination: \"This is dealing with government burdening the free exercise of religion in this state. This is not a license for a private citizen to discriminate against another private citizen.\"

Lawmakers from both parties described concerns about unintended consequences, including potential conflicts with Georgia’s recent reproductive-health legislation and protections for minority faiths. Representative Park Cannon and other members said they feared the measure could be used to challenge public-health or civil-rights policies. Representative Panitch argued the bill would not protect minority religions and could undermine recently passed anti‑Semitism measures.

Despite the objections and a lengthy minority report, the House recorded 96 yeas and 70 nays on final passage. The measure now goes forward per the chamber’s legislative process.

Lawmakers urged caution about the bill’s downstream effects on businesses, courts and communities, while supporters said the law restores parity with other First Amendment protections by giving Georgians a state-level remedy when a state or local government action substantially burdens religion.

The vote came after nearly an hour of presentations from both sides, as well as floor colloquies about prior federal RFRA history and case law. The bill’s supporters urged colleagues to trust the courts to apply a high standard before any burden on religious exercise could be upheld.

As the House adjourned for the night, members on both sides said they would continue discussions about amendments and legal implications in coming days.","The House voted to pass Senate Bill 36, a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act, after several hours of partisan debate and advocacy from both supporters and opponents. Lawmakers raised concerns about potential discrimination and legal conflicts with existing statutes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House approves expanded tax credits for foster‑youth support and child care incentives

House agrees to student‑loan repayment program for veterinarians serving in shelter medicine

Local bill to increase Fulton County sheriff pay fails on supplemental local calendar

House adopts framework for legislative subpoenas and investigations after debate over safeguards

Georgia House passes Religious Freedom bill after hours of heated debate