2025 Georgia Bill Tracker | Current Status of Closely-Watched Bills

ATLANTA - The Georgia General Assembly is nearing the end of its 40-day legislative session, with lawmakers racing to pass key measures before the session ends on April 4 or "Sine Die." Legislators are considering bills on education, health care, criminal justice, and more. Once a bill passes out of committee, it must be scheduled by the rules committee for a full chamber vote. If approved, it moves to the other chamber and the process starts again. If either chamber makes changes, the bill must return to the original chamber for final approval before heading to the governor’s desk.

The following is the current status of some of the more closely watch bills. This is not a complete list of all of the bills that are still under consideration. Last updated April 4 (morning).

HOUSE BILLS

HB 136 – Child Tax Credit

Expands an existing state tax credit for child care expenses.
Creates a new $250 per-child tax credit for children age 6 and under.
Adds incentives for businesses to help cover employees' child care costs.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor's desk.

HB 268 – School Safety

Adds mental health coordinators to schools.
Ensures swift transfer of student records between districts.
Sets standards for physical security infrastructure.
Establishes threat assessment teams.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor's desk.

HB 340 – Personal Device Ban in Schools

Bans K–8 public school students from using personal electronic devices during the school day.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor’s desk.

HB 582 – Survivor Justice Act

Allows defendants to present evidence of abuse by the alleged victim as part of a legal defense
Supports participation in victim-centered programs and dialogues
Provides civil immunity for facilitators in certain cases
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor’s desk

HB 428 – IVF Protections

Access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment into Georgia law.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor’s desk.

HB 225 / HB 651 – School Zone Camera Restrictions

HB 225 would ban school zone speed cameras entirely. A revision, however, would delay the law from going into effect until 2028.
HB 651 proposes new restrictions on the use of those cameras.
Status: Passed House.

HB 123 – Death Penalty and Intellectual Disabilities

Makes it easier for defendants to prove intellectual disability in death penalty cases.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to governor’s desk.

HB 551 – Car Booting Regulation

Prohibits booting companies from paying property owners in exchange for operating in parking lots.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to governor’s desk.

HB 68 – Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

$37.7 billion budget effective July 1, 2025.
Includes funding for: School voucher program, capital projects at public universities, budget increase for the Department of Corrections.
Status: Passed House.

HB 826 – Overtime Income Tax Exemption Act

Excludes up to $10,000 in overtime wages per employee from state income tax
Requires employers to report qualifying overtime wages
Directs the Department of Revenue to submit annual reports to the General Assembly
Includes a sunset provision
Status: No votes yet

HB 177 – Protect Pets in Cases of Domestic Violence

Allows judges to include pets in temporary protective orders granted in cases of domestic violence.
Status: Passed both chambers, headed to governor's desk

SENATE BILLS

SB 1 – Transgender Girls in Sports

Bans transgender girls from participating in girls’ teams in public schools, private schools competing with them, and state colleges.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to governor’s desk.

SB 12 – Inspection of Public Records

Revises Georgia's Open Records Act to address documents and records held by private persons or entities
Modifies definitions and judicial enforcement procedures related to public records access
Last-minute language would exempt all crime records — including police body and dash camera footage — from public release until all legal appeals are exhausted
Could significantly delay or block access to information about crimes, even after convictions
Status: Passed by the Senate

SB 74 – Explicit Materials in Libraries

Makes it a crime for public or school libraries to distribute sexually explicit material to minors.
Allows librarians a legal defense if they made a good-faith effort to remove harmful content.
Status: Passed Senate.

SB 123 – Chronic Absenteeism

Prevents schools from expelling students solely for chronic absences.
Requires school climate committees to develop solutions.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to governor’s desk.

SB 28 – State Rule Review

Requires state agencies to review their rules every four years.
Expands legislative oversight of agency regulations.
Status: Passed Senate.

SB 36 – Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Prohibits the government from burdening religious exercise unless it serves a "compelling government interest" and is done in the "least restrictive" way.
Status: Passed both chambers, headed to the governor's desk

SB 39 – Gender-Affirming Care Coverage

Prevents Georgia’s state health insurance plan from covering gender-affirming care for public employees, teachers and retirees.
Status: Passed Senate.

SB 30 – Puberty Blockers

Limits the use of puberty-blocking medications for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.
Status: Passed Senate.

SB 69 – Civil Litigation Overhaul

A major tort reform package championed by Gov. Brian Kemp.
Limits civil lawsuits and changes litigation rules statewide.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor’s desk.

SB 21 – Sovereign Immunity Reform

Allows lawsuits against local governments if harm is tied to failure to enforce state immigration laws.
Status: Passed Senate.

SB 185 – No Sex Changes in Prison

Prohibits the use of state funds for gender-affirming surgeries or treatments for inmates
Requires the Board of Corrections to adopt rules and regulations related to the ban and any exceptions
Defines relevant terms and establishes enforcement guidelines
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor’s desk

SB 244 – Compensation for the Wrongfully Convicted / Legal Fees

Provides $75,000 per year for each year someone was wrongfully imprisoned.
Also reimburses defendants' legal fees if a district attorney is disqualified from a case.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to the governor’s desk.