Crossover Day 2025 has come and gone, and lawmakers are now focused on getting their bills across the finish line and on to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Among those bills is one by Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, that requires the property tax bill for any school district that opts out of the state-wide base year homestead exemption to state the total amount of the school district’s cash reserves and reserves per student.
HB 370 also requires property tax bills to list the name of any local governing authority (city, county, consolidated government, or school district) that opted out of HB 581 (2024 session), including the date and vote on the opt-out resolution – as well the main phone number for the local governing authority that voted to opt out of HB 581. This notice will be on the tax bill for four years. If a school district has a similar homestead exemption or a full senior homestead exemption, the notice requirement will not apply. The bill passed by a vote of 96-77 and will move to the Senate.
Other bills that passed out of their originating Chamber:
HB 451 by Rep. Chas Cannon, R-Moultrie, provides that by the 2026-2027 school year, local boards of education shall be authorized to provide instruction in hunting safety in grades 6-12. By April 1, 2026, the State Board of Education must establish a curriculum based on hunter education courses by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
HB 217 by Rep. Soo Hong, R-Lawrenceville, extends the Dual Achievement Program – which is a dual enrollment pilot program with the Technical System of Georgia (TCSG) – for five more years. It creates an agreement between TCSG and a local school system, and students will be able to earn a high school diploma and a TCSG certificate at the same time.
SB 220 by Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, increases the potency of medical marijuana and allows for marijuana vapes. This legislation is referred to as the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act”.
SB 21 by Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, ensures Georgia upholds the rule of law by preventing sanctuary policies that threaten public safety.
SB 179 by Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Gwinnett, requires that the academic and disciplinary records of each transferring student be provided by such student’s previous school to the receiving school within ten days. Parents would have access to student records within five days. It requires parents to disclose felony charges of a student to the school. Parents who do not disclose felonies or disciplinary issues may be charged. The bill also requires staff suicide awareness and prevention training and violence prevention for students.
SB 36 by Sen. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, has also moved forward.
