The Holland Report - 2025, Week 6

Florence Luranc

It's hard to believe, but we're now more than halfway through this year's legislative session! Friday marked Legislative Day 21, and (much like last year) the House continues to pass legislation that's largely uncontroversial while the Senate seems to be making headlines. We had fun this week celebrating Fulton Day at the Capitol and hosting Leadership Perimeter's State & Region Day. If you weren't among those I saw in person this week, I hope you'll join me virtually this Sunday for our next online Town Hall!

Leadership Perimeter

On Thursday we had the pleasure of hosting Leadership Perimeter under the Golden Dome! Leadership Perimeter is a nonprofit organization that hosts Flagship and Youth programs that help train our future leaders on the issues facing our communities. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to address and update them on what we've been doing in the General Assembly.

Notable Bills We Passed

We're more then halfway through the Session, and with that we saw a lot of movement this week! I've included notes below on some of our most notable bills that moved out of House this week.

HB223 provides more support for our farmers and timber producers that were affected by Hurricane Helene. They would be offered tax credits for timber losses and exclude disaster relief payments. Up to $200 million would be allowed in tax credits to replant or restore damaged timber. Any unused credits could be transferred or sold. HB223 passed Ways and Means unanimously and has had it's first reading in Senate.

HB38 revises the definition of an "eligible student" for the needs based financial aid program. Previously the bill did not differentiate between two-year and four-year programs; Now, the four-year programs will have the credit completion requirement reduced from 80% to 70%, and two-year programs will have a 45% requirement. Additionally this bill would extend the expiration date from 2025 to 2029. HB38 has passed out of Higher Education unanimously and has had its first reading in Senate.

HB177 would amend Georgia's domestic relation laws to extend protections to household pets. In the event of family violence and dating violence protective orders, household pets would now also be protected under such orders. HB177 has passed out of Judiciary Committee unanimously and has had its first reading in Senate.

HB353 is to enact the "Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Community Acts", which would create a statewide music office to promote the industry in Georgia. This also includes a Music Ready Community Program to help us develop strategies for boosting music as an economical driver. HB353 has been favorable reported out of the Creative Arts and Entertainment Committee.