Georgia House reads dozens of bills, recommits HB 92 to Ways and Means and adopts privileged resolutions

ATLANTA — The Georgia House of Representatives on Feb. 4, 2025 conducted first and second readings of scores of bills, accepted several committee reports, ordered House Bill 92 recommitted to the Ways and Means Committee and adopted a package of privileged resolutions, the chamber announced before recessing until 3 p.m.

Why it matters: Many bills read into the record will be referred to committees for further work; one measure affecting homestead exemptions was pulled back to committee, and the House adopted ceremonial and recognition resolutions that state lawmakers use to acknowledge organizations and events across Georgia.

Clerk-read first readings included (titles as read into the record): House Bill 217 (amending Article 6, Chapter 4, Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to higher education/dual achievement program); House Bill 218 (amend Code Section 31-7-18 relating to vaccinations); House Bill 219 (amend Title 43 relating to professions and businesses); House Bill 220 (amend Chapter 7 and Title 33 relating to kinds of insurance); and a series of other first readers covering education, transportation, taxation and public safety matters. The clerk also read several first readers that reference the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and specified titles and chapters as part of each bill caption.

On second reading the clerk read additional bills including House Bill 192 (education), House Bill 193 (health), House Bill 194 (justification and excuse in criminal defense), House Bill 195 (enforcement regarding registration and operation of personal watercraft), and others covering state employee health insurance and accreditation standards for certain programs.

Committee reports were placed on the floor. Representative Terry Hawkins, chair of the House Committee on Health, reported the committee's recommendation that House Bill 94 "do pass." Representative John Corbett, chair of the Motor Vehicles Committee, reported his committee's recommendations including that House Bill 208 be reported "do pass" by substitute along with several other motor-vehicle-related bills.

Representative Mike Blackman (identified in the record as Chairman Blackman) moved that House Bill 92 "be recommitted to the Ways and Means Committee." The clerk read the bill title: House Bill 92 "to amend Code Section 48-5-44.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to base year homestead exemptions." The motion was ordered without recorded roll-call; the chair stated there was no objection and the bill was recommitted to Ways and Means.

The House adopted privileged resolutions after the clerk read a long list of items. Among them, House Resolution 60 (introduced by Representative Floralita McDonald and co-sponsors) recognized Feb. 4, 2025, as Firefighters Recognition Day at the State Capitol. Captain Gary Clark of the City of Gainesville, appearing with other firefighters, told the chamber that the group represents "more than 25,000 firefighters in the state of Georgia," and asked members to acknowledge their service. The clerk announced there was no objection to adoption of the privileged resolutions and the resolutions were adopted.

Other floor actions: the majority leader moved the chamber into recess until 3 p.m. and to adjourn the legislative day until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025; the motion carried on a voice vote.

What the record shows and what it does not: The clerk read many bill captions and committee recommendations into the record but the transcript does not record floor debate on the bills listed or any recorded roll-call votes on the measures read. Specific committee actions referenced on the floor ("do pass," substitute reports) reflect committee recommendations as announced; the transcript does not show committee minutes or the text of substitute language.

Following the recess, the House is scheduled to resume legislative business and committees will continue hearings and subcommittee work as posted by the clerk and committee chairs.