Georgia House introduces dozens of bills on first and second readings and adopts privileged resolutions

The Georgia House of Representatives on Jan. 29, 2025 held a floor session at the State Capitol in Atlanta during which members placed dozens of bills on first and second reading, received several committee reports, confirmed the journal and adopted a package of privileged resolutions by voice vote.

The introductions covered a broad range of topics. On first reading, the clerk read House Bills 140–162, addressing issues that include local government budgets and audits; taxation and income-tax provisions; water resources; state symbols; holidays and observances; the Georgia Technology Authority; accountants and health-related provisions; annexation dispute procedures; aviation provisions; and a proposed new charter for the town of Braselton. On second reading, the clerk read House Bills 119–139, which include measures on firearms preemption, criminal procedure, insurance and state employee health benefits, education and attendance, alcohol regulations, and sick and personal leave for school personnel.

The chamber also received reports from standing committees. Representative Gunnar, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Representative Cooper, chairman of the Public and Community Health Committee, each reported bills back to the House with recommendations. Representative Sean Blackman, chair of Ways and Means, reported committee action on bills in his committee. The House confirmed the journal from the prior day and adopted the resolution establishing the order of business for the day by unanimous consent.

During the privileged resolutions segment, the House adopted a number of resolutions recognizing individuals, days and organizations, including a resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of Korean American Day at the State Capitol and several resolutions honoring community leaders and awareness days (for example, Georgia Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Day and dyslexia day). The chair stated there was no objection and the resolutions were adopted by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were provided on the record.

The floor also included customary morning and afternoon orders in which members introduced delegations and guests from across the state (for example, students from inclusive postsecondary education programs and delegations from Dawson County, Chatham County and Wayne County) and recognitions of local leaders. Committee and caucus meeting reminders and organizational announcements were made for upcoming committee meetings, caucus lunches and events at the Capitol.

On a procedural motion from the majority leader, the House agreed by voice vote to adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. As recorded on the floor, the “ayes” carried and the House adjourned; no roll-call vote tally was recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance - Confirmation of the previous day’s journal: adopted by unanimous consent (voice), no roll-call tally recorded. - Adoption of the resolution establishing the order of business for the day: adopted by unanimous consent (voice), no roll-call tally recorded. - Adoption of privileged resolutions (multiple recognitions and awareness days, including House Resolution 59 recognizing Korean American Day): adopted by voice vote, no roll-call tallies recorded. - Adjournment motion (majority leader): adopted by voice vote; chair declared “the ayes clearly have it.”

What the record does and does not show The transcript records the clerk’s reading of bill captions (first and second readers) and committee reports and shows that the House adopted routine procedural items and a set of privileged resolutions by voice vote. The record does not show floor debate on the listed bills, roll-call vote tallies on the adopted resolutions, nor committee-level details beyond the committee chairs’ submitted reports. Many bill captions referenced the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by chapter and title; the transcript did not include bill texts, committee substitutes, amendments, or detailed fiscal notes on those measures in the floor reading segment.

Looking ahead Members announced multiple committee organizational meetings and events (for example, the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee overview of agencies, the Governmental Affairs organizational meeting, and various caucus lunches) and the House recessed to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2025.