On Tuesday, February 20th the House reconvened for another productive week of the 2024 legislative session. During this week, we met in the House Chamber for three days and continued to vote on key legislation that will make the lives of Georgians better. It was a short, but packed week as we continued to prepare for the “Crossover Day” deadline on February 29, which is the last day that legislation can be passed out of its originating chamber and into the other Chamber and remain eligible to be become law this year. With that in mind, we continued to make significant progress this week by voting on legislation to enhance public safety, behavioral healthcare and education in Georgia.
As with most weeks, we had visitors. This was especially exciting for us as we were able to recognize the Thomas County Central High School Football Team for their State Championship. On hand, of course, was the team and all the coaches. Coach Rogers and Superintendent Lisa Williams lead the group. A special treat was that Coach/Pastor Mikeal Lovejoy opened our session with a very moving message about the power we have from the Lord and how we use it. He also incorporated teamwork and unity. Many thanks to him for sharing with the House.
This week, we voted on legislation to protect some of Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens. On Thursday, the House unanimously passed House Bill 993, which introduces criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly and intentionally groom minors and use electronic means to persuade, induce or coerce them into committing sexual offenses or acts of human trafficking. Those that commit this crime would face felony imprisonment ranging from one to five years, and could be charged regardless of whether crimes are committed within or outside of our state if the minor lives in Georgia. The General Assembly has taken decisive action in recent years to combat human trafficking in our state. HB 993 would reinforce our commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our minors and the protection of human rights for all Georgians.
To help confront the opioid crisis, the House passed House Bill 1170, which would require government buildings and courthouses that contain Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to also provide opioid antagonists to assist in the event of an opioid overdose on those premises. This bipartisan legislation would apply to courthouses and government buildings that already contain AED boxes, and the opioid antagonists would be added to these boxes. Also, the Department of Public Health (DPH), in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, would be required to identify and develop educational resources and guidelines on opioid-related overdoses, as well as develop a model training and implementation policy for opioid antagonist administration, both of which would be posted on the department’s website. This little-to-no-cost initiative would make antagonists, like Naloxone, readily available in the case of an overdose, and the inclusion of opioid antagonists in government buildings and courthouses could certainly help prevent the loss of Georgians to drug overdose. With the current alarming fentanyl presence in drugs, we and our colleagues have worked hard to combat the dangers and tragedies of drug overdoses in Georgia.
The House also passed House Bill 986 to address election interference using artificial intelligence (AI), specifically deep fake technology that is intended to deceive voters and influence the outcome of an election. Known as the “AI Transparency Protection Act,” HB 986 would introduce felony offenses for both the creation and solicitation of deep fake content through artificial intelligence-generated campaign advertisements aimed at interfering with elections. The bill would clarify that the use of AI-generated content in campaign advertisements is not unlawful as long as the proper disclosures are displayed to indicate that AI was used in its creation. The term deep fake refers to a video recording, video file, sound recording, sound file, electronic image or photograph that is created through technological means, rather than through another person that physically impersonate such person, and appears to depict a real person’s speech or conduct that did not really occur. Under HB 986, any person who commits an offense of election interference through the creation and transmission of a deep fake campaign advertisement would be guilty of a felony, face imprisonment between one and five years and be subject to a fine up to $50,000. Again, the bill states that the use of AI-generated content in campaign advertisements is not unlawful as long as the proper disclosures are displayed to indicate that AI was used in its creation. HB 986 would establish a precedent for accountability and security in Georgia’s digital landscape. This proactive measure is crucial in upholding trust and preserving the integrity of democratic processes, while also ensuring that artificial intelligence contributes positively.
As we continue to prioritize educational opportunities for Georgia’s students, the House gave passage to House Bill 995, which requires public schools to administer a nationally recognized multiple-aptitude battery assessment. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is an optional test designed to predict future academic and occupational success in the military and targets 11th and 12th grade students. HB 995 would help address declining military recruitment numbers by guiding students toward military career paths best suited for their abilities and offering them a no-cost opportunity to make an informed decision.
Finally, the House advanced legislation this week to improve behavioral healthcare for Georgians in order to ensure individuals have access to the resources and support needed to effectively address their mental health concerns. As such, the House turned our attention toward House Bill 1077 to establish a student loan repayment initiative tailored for behavioral health practitioners in Georgia. The bill focuses on eligible providers including licensed psychiatrists, addiction medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors and marriage and family therapists. While completing their internships, in qualified programs, they would be eligible to apply for this loan repayment program. Participants of this loan repayment initiative would receive repayment assistance over a six-year period. The legislation also seeks to incentivize these providers to treat Medicaid patients as providers would receive more loan repayment assistance based on the number of Medicaid patients served. We are seeing a shortage of mental health providers in our state, particularly among providers who accept Medicaid patients. This bipartisan initiative will increase the number of behavioral health providers across our state enabling all Georgians access to have services needed to address mental health challenges.
We also passed the following House bills and resolution during the seventh week of session:
· House Bill 472, which would expand enhanced disability benefits to sworn officers, commissioners and deputy commissioners employed by the motor carrier compliance division of the Department of Public Safety. Currently, members in this division, game wardens at the Department of Natural Resources, officers or agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, or alcohol or tobacco officers at the Department of Revenue already receive enhanced disability benefits.
· House Bill 579, would amend current law relating to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act to allow students who previously qualified for the scholarship to remain eligible throughout the students’ education.
· House Bill 896, would allow a former spouse after divorce to petition the court by motion ex parte to restore their legal surname to the given surname on their birth certificate. The motion could be filed at any time after the judgment and decree of divorce is entered, with no publication in a legal organ required;
· House Bill 904, would provide modernization to the licensing law for electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors and utility contractors. The bill would make numerous changes that include industry updates and revised dates, timelines, adds references to internet advertising and revises fine amounts;
· House Bill 907, outlines the responsibilities of motor vehicle drivers in the event they encounter a funeral procession. The bill would require drivers on a two-lane road to pull to the edge or curb of the road to give the funeral procession the right-of-way.
· House Bill 934, would allow a self-service storage facility rental agreement to be executed and delivered electronically. If notice has been provided to the occupant of the agreement’s termination or nonrenewal, an occupant would have not less than 14 days after notice to remove all personal property from the facility. Prior to the occupant’s removal, the owner may place reasonable restrictions on the occupant’s use of the facility, including denying access to the facility except to remove personal property during normal business hours;
As you can see it was a very busy week and even so for visitors. At the Capitol this week, we honored Law Enforcement and we were delighted to have 3 officers from South Georgia with us. Later in the week we spent time with Lindsay Marchant and representing our teachers was Kelli Dorminy and Erika Watt. Finally, it was an honor to speak with Makayla Week on issues close to her.
You can reach us as follows: Representative Darlene Taylor at her Capitol office at (404) 463-2248, local office 225-9943 or via email at darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov Representative Chas Cannon can be reached at his Capitol office at (404) 656-0177, or by email at chas.cannon@house.ga.gov. As always, thank you for allowing us to serve as your representatives.