The Holland Report - 2026, Week 6

Sara Fuchs

You know that song Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi? The chorus goes, “Whoa, we’re halfway there…” — and that lyric felt especially fitting this week as we officially crossed the halfway mark of the legislative session. Out of 40 legislative days, we’ve now completed 22!

The House continues to stay busy, and I’m encouraged by the bipartisan cooperation we’re seeing as we pass meaningful legislation to address the issues facing Georgia families. Below, you’ll find a few of my favorite bills that passed the House floor this week.

Crossover Day is just two weeks away. This is the final day for a bill to pass out of its original chamber and move to the other — and this year it falls on Friday, March 6. As that deadline approaches, we’re keeping a close eye on several concerning bills making their way through committee that could land on the Rules calendar soon.

You can expect to see a flurry of activity after Monday, which is a Committee Day for both the House and the Senate. The pace is picking up — and I’ll continue keeping you informed every step of the way.

A Productive Week Under the Gold Dome

At this point in the legislative session, we’re often bracing for last-minute surprises and high-stakes debates. But this week offered a welcome reprieve. The House passed several thoughtful, practical bills that could make a meaningful difference in the lives of Georgians — from foster families and students to firefighters and drivers on our roads.

Here’s a look at some of the good work that moved forward:HB 256 – Strengthening Rights for Foster Families

HB 256 updates and expands Georgia’s Foster Placements Bill of Rights, ensuring stronger protections for foster parents, relative caregivers, and “fictive kin” who step up to care for children. The bill guarantees timely access to important information about a child’s needs, establishes clear grievance protections, ensures caregivers are treated with dignity, and reinforces their role in case planning and decision-making. It also adopts the “reasonable and prudent parent” standard so children in care can participate in normal childhood activities. This is a meaningful step toward supporting the families who provide safe, stable homes for Georgia’s most vulnerable children.HB 541 – Expanding Nursing Education Opportunities

Georgia faces a serious nursing shortage, and HB 541 helps address it. This bill expands eligibility for Tuition Equalization Grants to include certain private, for-profit nursing programs. By helping more students afford nursing education, this legislation strengthens our healthcare workforce and supports communities across the state that depend on qualified nurses.HB 943 – Supporting Foster Youth with Autism

HB 943 establishes a pilot program to provide specialized support for children in foster care with autism spectrum disorder. Children in the foster system often face additional challenges accessing consistent, specialized care. This pilot program aims to better meet their unique needs and improve outcomes for some of Georgia’s most vulnerable youth.HB 1161 – Clarifying the “Move Over” Law

Believe it or not, Georgia law did not clearly codify proper driver behavior during a traffic stop. HB 1161 corrects that by clarifying how drivers must safely operate their vehicles when approached by emergency or law enforcement vehicles. This commonsense update improves safety for officers, first responders, and drivers alike.HB 1061 – The Mandi Ballinger Act

Known as the “Mandi Ballinger Act,” HB 1061 establishes a committee to study and plan for raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds in Georgia’s juvenile justice system. This careful, research-based approach ensures Georgia can thoughtfully evaluate how best to support young people while maintaining accountability and public safety. Mandi Ballinger passed away from cancer last year while serving her sixth term as a House representative and was a passionate advocate for juvenile justice reform. HB 1086 – Protecting Georgia Firefighters

HB 1086 improves firefighter safety by requiring visible exterior markings on buildings constructed with light frame steel trusses — a type of construction that can fail more quickly in a fire. These markings provide critical information to firefighters before they enter a structure, helping them make safer, more informed decisions in emergency situations.

There will be two more listening sessions this legislative season - one right after Crossover Day, and another before Sine Die. You can register at the links below:

March 8th, 4 - 5 pm

March 29th, 4 - 5 pm

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 Instagram 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.