Three new study committees will spend the off-season exploring state policies regarding election procedures, medical marijuana and hemp policies and insurance rates in preparation for the 2026 legislative session. House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, announced the new blue-ribbon study committees Thursday.
“During the 2025 legislative session, members of the General Assembly considered a number of bills aimed at providing clarity on these issues that directly impact the lives of our fellow Georgians and the future of our state,” said Burns. “During the interim, these study committees will meet to gather the facts, hear from stakeholders and determine a path forward for 2026.”
Georgia’s election procedures have been the center of a lot of attention and proposed legislation the past few years. In reaction to this, the Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures will study and evaluate Georgia’s current laws, policies and procedures utilized in administering Georgia elections, The committee will also explore the statewide and local elected officials and boards that oversee the administration of Georgia’s elections.
According to Burns, the committee is tasked with compiling a report of specific findings or legislative recommendations that will “ensure Georgia has the most secure and effective electoral system in the nation ahead of next November’s midterm elections.”
Burns has tasked the Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical Marijuana and Hemp Policies with evaluating the state’s current laws, policies and procedures surrounding medical marijuana and other cannabis-derived drugs and hemp products. Following their meetings, the committee members will compile a report of specific findings and make any legislative recommendations to ensure the safety of patients and consumers, as well as regulatory clarity for physicians and other distributors of cannabis-derived and hemp products
According to Burns, the Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates will conduct a thorough examination of the insurance industry’s rate-setting practices, profit margins, claims processing and regulatory compliance to ensure that Georgia’s businesses, citizens and consumers are not being subjected to unjustified rate hikes.
The committee will compile it findings related to the state’s insurance premiums and any legislative recommendations that “protect consumers from predatory pricing to ensure that Georgia’s insurance market operates fairly and transparently,” Burns said.
The Speaker is expected to release additional information regarding the new blue-ribbon study committees in the near future.
