The Holland Report - 2025, Week 12

Week 12

Sine Die - the last day of the Georgia legislative session - commenced last Friday, April 4. Last week included working into the evening on several nights as we convened to pass legislation and approve bills as amended by the Senate. Sine Die traditionally lasts into the wee hours of the morning as we work to accomplish everything we can on the last day. So, imagine our surprise when, around 9:30 on Friday, members of the House learned that the Senate had already adjourned! The House continued working for another hour before gaveling out, and it seemed like an anticlimactic way to end such a busy week. We passed some good bills and some not-so-good bills, including the final version of the FY2026 budget that required quite a bit of compromise with the Senate. These now go to the Governor for signature or veto before May 14.  Meanwhile, my colleagues and I are speculating about the likelihood of a special session being called later this year. With all of the uncertainty with funding at the federal level, will we need to revisit our carefully balanced state budget? Only time will tell.

Bad Bills

SB1  This bill was in the spotlight quite a bit over the course of session. SB1 aims to solve a problem that does not exist, and only results in the further ostracizing of trans kids. The bill bans trans girls from participating on girls sports teams in school.  SB1 has passed out of both Chambers and has been sent to the Governor for signing.  SB185 SB185 bans gender affirming care to incarcerated people, even if said care has been deemed medically necessary. Yet another solution to a non-problem, this bill would affect - at most - five individuals. This bill marked a turning point in the last week of session. At this point, many of us were weary of hearing bills that targeted such a small part of our population while no gun safety reform was passed, medicaid has not been expanded, and an impending economic crisis is upon us. After this bill was heard, the Democratic Caucus (save for a handful members) walked out of the Chamber in protest and did not participate in the voting of this bill.  SB185 passed out of both Chambers.  SB204  In response to a recently passed ordinance in Savannah fining gun owners whose firearms are stolen from unlocked vehicles, this bill emerged as a vehicle for suing a city if you believe an ordinance violates your rights. In a year when so much of the discussion revolved around lawsuit reform, it was fascinating to see a bill pass that would increase lawsuits against municipalities. While the bill was obviously aimed at Savannah and the city's leadership's attempt to curb gun violence, the ability of citizens to sue their cities over ordinances they don't like would be protected all over the state. SB204 has passed both Chambers.  SB291 SB291 would add a license plate with the slogan "America First" on it. I spoke against this bill as this term has a very long history in this country, with heavy ties to the KKK and many isolationist, anti-semitic and fascist movements.  SB291 has passed out of both Chambers.  SB244 This bill could be very impactful to those of us in Fulton County. SB244 would make it so that a county has to pay for the legal fees of defendants for certain cases when the district attorney is dismissed. This bill has the potential to require Fulton County to pay the legal fees for the Trump election interference case should the DA be dismissed, since they were indicted in Fulton County in 2023. The most heartbreaking part about this bill is that it was combined with the compensation for the wrongfully convicted bill, which is when we vote on compensating people who were found wrongfully convicted of crimes. Voting put each of us in a terrible position to either vote for people who have lost so much time to not be compensated, or to vote to protect tax-payers from paying for these legal fees that are not their responsibility.  SB244 has passed both Chambers.

Good Bills

SB140 This bill would make it so that Optometrists can prescribe/sell medications to their patients.  SB140 has passed out of both Chambers and has been sent to the Governor for signature.  SB100 Right now, when children in this state are adopted, it is common for the adoptive parents to get a new birth certificate for the child with their names on it. Unfortunately, this creates obstacles when adopted adults need access to an original birth certificate. Advocates in the adoption community have been working towards a solution for this for years. SB100 is a clean up bill, intended to make the process of obtaining an original birth certificate much easier for adopted individuals.  SB100 has passed out of both Chambers. HR347 This is a fun one, HR347 urges high schools to implement flag football programs for girls!  HR437 has passed out of both Chambers.  SB330  Here is an exciting one for some of my constituents! For those of you that line in the City of Atlanta School district, there will be a homestead exemption of $50,000 for individuals 65 plus. SB330 has passed both Chambers.

If you haven’t already, please browse my website, betsyforgeorgia.com. As your Representative, your concerns are important to me. Please contact me at betsy.holland@house.ga.gov or 404-656-0116 with questions, concerns, or solutions you may have regarding legislation or other happenings in District 54. To stay updated, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, and follow the Georgia House of Representatives @GAHouseHub on Twitter. Additionally, in-depth information regarding current bills, Georgia's annual and supplemental budgets, committee meetings, and livestreams from the General Assembly can be accessed via www.legis.ga.gov. I encourage you and your family to visit our State Capitol and my office, where all constituents are welcome. I look forward to connecting with you! My office is located at: 18 Capitol Square, SW 409-B, Coverdell Legislative Office Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative. Representative Betsy Holland GA House District 54

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