As your representative for Georgia’s 30th House District, I am honored to update you on our recent legislative activities. Several bills passed the House that directly impact our community and state during week 6 of the 2025 session.
Enhancing Opportunities Through the First Offender Act
A meaningful bill that passed the House this week was House Bill 162, which I sponsored. This legislation strengthens Georgia’s First Offender Act, ensuring that individuals who make a single mistake aren’t haunted by it forever. Originally established in the 1960s, this law allows nonviolent offenders a second chance. It does this by helping them avoid a permanent criminal record if they successful complete their sentence.
Currently, a person making a first offender plea can petition the court to have court records once they complete their sentence. HB 162 takes this a step further by making record-sealing automatic for eligible individuals. Starting July 1, the court records of anyone sentenced under the First Offender Act would be automatically sealed upon sentencing. This is important because, with everything accessible online now, sealing these documents after the sentence is completed is virtually ineffective. If a person’s First Offender status is revoked, however, their records will be unsealed.
Improving Interactions Between Citizens and Law Enforcement
House Bill 283 addresses concerns about traffic citations. It would allow individuals the choice to sign or refuse a citation without facing immediate arrest or the need to post bond, provided they agree to appear in court. This change aims to reduce misunderstanding. Many believe signing a citation is an admission of guilt. We believe it would decrease negative encounters between citizens and law enforcement. By clarifying this process, we hope to promote public safety and trust.
Easing Burdens on Local Pharmacies
House Bill 196 is a big win, especially for our local pharmacies. This bill makes sure pharmacies get fair payments for prescriptions covered under the State Health Benefit Plan. Right now, some pharmacies receive too little because of unfair payment rules that favor big chain drugstores. This puts independent pharmacies—especially in rural areas—at risk of closing.
HB 196 solves this by requiring health insurers to pay pharmacies based on the national average drug cost. It also sets a fixed professional fee for filling prescriptions, making sure pharmacies are paid fairly.
For many Georgians, small pharmacies are the only place to get their medicine. This bill will help keep them open, making sure families across the state can get the medications they need. Local pharmacies do more than fill prescriptions—they provide advice, support, and personal care to their patients. Many also give back to their communities, sponsoring events and going the extra mile in ways that large chain stores do not.
Advancing Workforce Development with the Top State for Talent Act
To maintain Georgia’s leadership in workforce readiness, we passed House Bill 192, known as the Top State for Talent Act. This bill repurposes a grant program to help schools align their career, technical, and agricultural education programs with the High Demand Career List. It establishes a system where this list informs the Georgia Department of Education’s development of career courses for students in grades six through twelve. Additionally, the bill requires a report on articulation agreements to eliminate redundant coursework, ensuring students don’t repeat skills they’ve already mastered. This initiative creates a clear pathway for students to enter Georgia’s competitive workforce.
Simplifying the Adoption Process for Georgia Families
Understanding the challenges faced by families adopting internationally, we unanimously passed House Bill 181. Currently, these families must undergo a redundant “re-adoption” process to obtain a Georgia Certificate of Foreign Birth. HB 181 streamlines this by allowing children who have U.S. citizenship through verified foreign adoptions to bypass this extra step. This change reduces unnecessary costs and delays, making it easier for families to obtain essential documentation for their adopted children.
Protecting Household Pets in Domestic Situations
Recognizing the role pets play in our families, we passed House Bill 177. This legislation allows protective orders in cases of family or dating violence to include provisions for the care and custody of household pets. It ensures that victims aren’t forced to leave their pets behind when seeking safety and provides judges with tools to inform victims of their rights regarding their pets. This measure removes a common barrier that often prevents victims from escaping abusive situations.
other Bills that Passed in the House last Week
We also advanced several other important pieces of legislation:
- House Bill 38: Expands eligibility for the Georgia College Completion Grant to students who have completed 70% of a four-year program or 45% of a two-year program, extending the program through June 30, 2029.
- House Bill 51: Authorizes the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and manage projects related to natural gas facilities, including storage and distribution systems.
- House Bill 53: Updates criteria for veterans’ eligibility for burial in Georgia veterans cemeteries, aligning with federal guidelines and including certain Reserve and National Guard members.
- House Bill 92: Revises procedures for local governments opting out of base year homestead exemptions, changing the deadline to March 31, 2029, and allowing for estimated tax notices.
- House Bill 117: Requires commercial food service establishments serving imported shrimp to clearly label menu items as “FOREIGN IMPORTED” or “FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP.”
- House Bill 147: Defines “artificial intelligence” and mandates the Georgia Technology Authority to inventory AI systems used by state agencies, establishing procedures to prevent unlawful discrimination.
- House Bill 167: Allows hunters to wear fluorescent pink as an acceptable outer garment color when hunting certain animals under specific conditions. Currently, hunters are required to wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange in certain hunting situations. This bill provides an alternative color option.
To look up any of the bills that passed in House so far, visit the General Assembly website here. All of these bills have moved over to the Senate for consideration.
Looking Ahead
As we approach the seventh week of the session, the Georgia House will reconvene on Monday, February 24th.
I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns about the bills under consideration. Your input is valuable, and I am here to represent your interests. Please feel free to schedule a call or visit the State Capitol to discuss matters important to you and your family. You can contact me via email at [email protected].
Thank you for entrusting me to serve as your representative. Together, we will continue to uphold the values and priorities of our community.