The Holland Report - Week 8, Midweek Update

Sara Fuchs

Is it the weekend, yet? Your Georgia legislature has been busy this week passing dozens of bills, holding loads of committee meetings and hearing lots of debate. In this special mid-week newsletter, we wanted to highlight some of what has already passed out of the House this week. Friday is Crossover Day - the last day a bill can receive a vote in the House and still “crossover” to the Senate before the end of session. We’ll host a listening session on Sunday to talk about Crossover Day and all of the other bills that came before us this week - I hope you’ll join us! We’ll also send out a belated weekly newsletter on Monday to give us a few extra days to compile information (and get some sleep).

And remember - just because a bill passes out of the House this week doesn’t mean it becomes a law. These bills still have to journey through Senate committees, pass on the Senate floor and be signed by the governor in order to become law. During that process, we must watch out for amendments and substitutes that can meaningfully change the nature of the bill. We have a lot of work ahead of us!

It's official! I am running for re-election so I can continue serving the constituents of Georgia House District 54!

Notable Bills Passed This Week

HB 1000Income tax; one-time tax credit for individual taxpayers who filed income tax returns for the 2024 and 2025 taxable years; provide
This bill establishes a one-time tax credit for individual taxpayers in Georgia who filed income tax returns for both the 2024 and 2025 tax years by the filing deadline, including any extensions. The credit will be $250 for single or married filing separately, $375 for head of household, and $500 for married filing jointly. This bill passed unanimously, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for delivering essential relief to taxpayers.

HB 1159Income tax; all income received by individuals, corporations, and partnerships under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program; exempt from taxation
This bill exempts income received by individuals, corporations, and partnerships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program from state income taxes, starting with taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. This bill also received overwhelming bipartisan support, highlighting the state's commitment to assisting farmers who are struggling due to tariffs.

HB 1138Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act; enact
This bill enables pharmacists to prescribe contraception, such as birth control pills or a birth control shot, directly to Georgia residents. It will increase access to contraception in areas with primary care provider shortages, or for working Georgians who might struggle to take time off work to go to a doctor’s appointment.

HB 1045You Are Not Alone Awareness Act; enact
HB 1045 requires Georgia public schools that issue student ID badges to students in grades six through 12 to print information about the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on those badges.

HB 1118Public officers and employees; 120 hours of maternal birth leave; provide
HB 1118 increases the number of weeks state employees can take for paid parental leave, from six to nine. The Legislature previously doubled the amount of time in 2024, boosting it from three weeks to six. The bill passed the House unanimously.

HR 1243Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund; authorize creation - Constitutional Amendment
This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize the General Assembly to create a non-lapsing Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) Fund and dedicate specified revenues to it. NG911 is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system that replaces the analog 911 infrastructure that’s been in place for decades and improves location accuracy, enables faster call transfers, and enhances disaster resilience for 911 call centers. The amendment would be submitted to voters for approval. The bill passed the House unanimously.

HB 961Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation service; provide
This bill provide protection against surprise medical bills from ambulance transfers.

HB 1087Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act; enact
This bill, known as the "Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act," aims to prevent counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities from charging disabled veterans certain fees when making improvements to their homes to accommodate their disabilities.

HR 1114Homeowner's Incentive Adjustment clause; remove cap on benefits - CA

I opposed HR 1114 because, while property tax relief is an important goal, this proposal was not a sustainable or responsible solution. The resolution was designed to eliminate property taxes without a realistic plan to replace the revenue that funds essential local services. Mayors, city councils, and school boards across the state warned that it would create massive budget shortfalls for communities like ours in Sandy Springs and Atlanta, potentially defunding police departments, draining resources from our public schools, and limiting our ability to maintain parks and recreation facilities. It also failed to target relief to those who need it most, such as seniors, veterans, and low-income homeowners. We need to go back to the drawing board to develop thoughtful property tax relief that is fiscally responsible and protects the services our communities rely on. Because HR 1114 was a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of the House, it ultimately did not pass, although we are likely to see it again before the end of Crossover Day.

Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

We passed the amended fiscal year 2026 budget last week, but I can't resist a good infographic. Check it out for a closer look at what's included.

Join Me for a Post–Crossover Day Listening Session!

Once Crossover Day has passed, join me to learn which bills are still moving forward and which ones did not meet the deadline. I’ll also be there to listen to your concerns, answer questions, and hear what matters most to you.

Pre-register for the Zoom link here:
March 8th, 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.