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General Assembly Update, Day 35-37, Sine Die Scheduled for April 4The General Assembly was in session three days this week, with Wednesday reserved as a committee workday. Read below for more information about all the action on bills we saw this week. The General Assembly will convene for three legislative days next week. Tuesday and Thursday are reserved for finishing up work in committees. Sine Die is scheduled for Friday, April 4.
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Third Party Litigation Financing Bill Sees Action in Both ChambersSB 69, introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon), is part of Governor Brian Kemp’s plan to reform civil lawsuits in Georgia, focusing on regulating third-party litigation financing. Originally, it required financers to register with the Department of Banking and Finance and share detailed information about their business. The measure was amended in the House to authorize the Department to deny registrations, establish a process by which an applicant may appeal a denial, and allow the Department to participate in the nationwide multi-state licensing system and registry regarding litigation financiers. The bill also clarifies definitions of foreign adversaries and adds new disclosure rules for stakeholders with 10% or greater ownership. Because the bill was amended by the House before being approved on Thursday, SB 69 had to be considered again by the Senate. Earlier this afternoon, SB 69 was amended on the Senate floor before being approved, which means it now heads back to the House for further consideration. Supporters say the bill will boost transparency, giving judges and juries a clearer picture of any financial influences behind a lawsuit.
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Action on Legislation GBA is Tracking Several bills we're monitoring received consideration this week. Please visit our State Issues page for information about all the bills we're tracking. Below, you will find status updates for those receiving action this week. Squatters. HB 61 by Rep. Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) would have originally provided for the issuance of separate license plates for hearses and ambulances. A substitute bill, favorably reported by the Senate Public Safety Committee this week, addresses issues related to unlawful squatting and property rights. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek).
Homestead Exemption. HB 92 by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) would have originally postponed the date by which local governing authorities can opt out of base year homestead exemption. The bill was amended with several new provisions related to annual notices of assessment, local tax exemptions and sales and use taxes. The House agreed to the Senate amendments and the bill now awaits the Governor’s signature. The Senate sponsor was Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome).
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Data Privacy. SB 111 by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) aims to protect the privacy of consumer personal data. The bill defines consumers’ rights, the responsibilities of data controllers and processors and requirements for data protection assessments. The bill contains industry-requested language from last year that the bill does not apply to a financial institution or an affiliate of a financial institution, data or personal information subject to Title V of the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The bill was heard Friday by the House Judiciary Committee. No action was taken. The House sponsor is Rep. Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs).
Manufactured Housing. SB 119 by Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) provides limited exceptions for when a manufactured home becomes real property and preserves the rights and remedies of prior lien or security interest holders in such homes. The bill passed the House and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The House sponsor was Rep. Rob Leverett (R-Elberton).
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Georgia Housing and Finance Authority. HB 159 by Rep. Clint Crowe (R-Jackson) proposes increasing the bond limit for Georgia's Housing and Finance Authority's single-family housing program from $3 billion to $6 billion. It keeps existing limits on bonds for enterprises and healthcare services and exempts the authority's bonds from certain interest rate restrictions. The bill passed the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The Senate sponsor was Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville).
Criminal Records. HB 162 by Rep. Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons) provides for the restriction and seal of First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked. The bill includes GBA's requested language to exempt federally insured financial institutions. The bill was favorably reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens).
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Earned Wage Access. HB 241 by Rep. Trey Rhodes (R- Greensboro) proposes amendments to the state's contract laws regarding convenience fees for earned wage access products. The bill passed the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The Senate sponsor was Sen. Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek).
Hemp. SB 254 by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) establishes milligram limits on delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products and additional regulations regarding their packaging and advertising. The bill was amended on the floor to ban THC-infused drinks and passed the Senate. A substitute bill, favorably reported by the House Regulated Industries Committee this week, would require sellers of THC-infused drinks to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture to sell hemp products and licensed by the Department of Revenue to sell alcoholic beverages.
Tax Code. HB 290 by Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) is the annual bill incorporating various new provisions in the federal tax code into the Georgia tax code. The bill passed the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The Senate sponsor was Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell).
Foreign Ownership. HB 358 by Rep. Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain) adds a definition for "military installation" to the law restricting certain foreign entities from acquiring land interests. The bill was favorably reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula).
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Tax Credit – Historic Structure. HB 360 by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) allows taxpayers who have been preapproved for tax credits for certified structures (excluding historic homes) and who obtain a certificate of occupancy to claim the tax credits in the first taxable year starting on or after Jan. 1, 2026. The bill failed on the Senate floor. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett).
Homestead Exemption. HB 370 by Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) originally required certain disclosures on property tax bills for school districts opting out of the state-wide base year homestead exemption. A substitute bill was favorably reported this week by the Senate Finance Committee that creates a tax credit for employers with fewer than 50 employees who offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements to their employees. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Brain Strickland (R-McDonough).
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Study Committee - AI and Digital Currency. SR 391 by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) establishes the Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Currency that will study issues related to AI and digital currency and recommend future actions or legislation. The resolution was favorably reported by the Senate Rules Committee.
Flood Damage Notification. HB 618 by Rep. Joe Campbell (R-Camilla) requires sellers of real property in Georgia to disclose any known flood damage to the property in writing. This includes physical damage, insurance claims, repairs, notifications of repetitive loss, obligations to maintain flood insurance, floodplain designations and erosion issues. A substitute bill was presented and favorably reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee which clarifies the disclosures are required only for 1-4 family residential properties, do not cover flood damage previously unknown to the seller and do not require additional research by the seller and other parties involved in the sale. The substitute also added HB 676 by Rep. Rob Clifton (R-Evans) establishing a fine for filing frivolous mechanic and materialmen liens.
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New Bills We're Tracking
Property Owners’ Associations. SB 361 by Sen. Matt Brass (R-Carrollton) increases the minimum lien amount from $2,000 to $4,000 for associations seeking foreclosure and requires associations to register with the Secretary of State. It also requires the Secretary of State to establish rules for administrative hearings to resolve disputes between associations and owners and requires the Department of Banking and Finance to establish rules for the escrow of funds held by associations. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Rules Committee.
Homeowners’ Associations. SR 445 by Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta) encourages the Department of Community Affairs to investigate abusive practices by homeowners' associations, particularly their impact on elderly and vulnerable residents. The resolution has been assigned to the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
Study Committee – State Investment Funds. HR 557 by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) creates the House Study Committee on Georgia's Investment Funds. The committee will study the conditions of Georgia's investment funds and recommend necessary actions or legislation. The resolution was favorably reported by the House Ways & Means Committee.
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State Procurement Contracts. HB 863 by Rep. Teddy Reese (D-Columbus) requires state agencies to make reasonable efforts to allocate at least 20 percent of their annual procurement contracts to small businesses. The bill has been assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee.
Corporate Ownership. HB 864 by Rep. Gabriel Sanchez (D-Smyrna) requires corporations to report on their single-family dwelling ownership, with detailed data submitted annually to a public portal managed by the Department of Community Affairs. The bill imposes a phased reduction in corporate ownership, mandating corporations to decrease their holdings to 0% by Dec. 31, 2030. Non-compliance results in fines of $750,000 per excess dwelling. The bill has been assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee.
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GBA Represented at the CapitolThe association’s advocacy team is hard at work representing the interests of our members at the State Capitol. Reach out to any of them if you need information about a bill, contact information for your representatives, or tips on where to park if you’re coming for a visit. Here’s their contact information:
- Elizabeth Chandler, executive vice president, government relations and advocacy: echandler@gabankers.com, 404.372.7893
- Bo Brannen, senior vice president, member services and advocacy: bbrannen@gabankers.com, 404.731.9886
- Steve Bridges, government relations consultant: sbridges@gabankers.com, 770.789.5605
- Tripp Cofield, president and CEO: tcofield@gabankers.com, 617.909.9530.
We will publish future editions of the Legislative Update after the General Assembly adjourns each week. Please let us know if you have questions or comments on issues of interest to you.
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