The 2025 General Assembly session wrapped up the first week of April with the state Senate and House working non-stop on Sine Die until midnight. Dozens of bills are now headed to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for him to sign or veto. The Fresh Take Georgia news team has this run down of several bills the governor must decide to support or veto.
2026 Budget
Georgia’s 2026 budget totals $37.7 billion. The budget includes the following: allocating $27.7 million to support K-12 education including $141 million for school vouchers and $10.8 million for school literacy coaches.
$250 million will be spend on state prisons, with a $45 million increase to hire more correctional officers and improve prison safety. Thirty-four million dollars will be spent on repairing and upgrading prison infrastructure across the state.
The General Assembly passed a $250 state tax credit parents can claim each year for children six years and younger.
HB 428 In Vitro Fertilization
This bill guarantees the right of every woman in Georgia to seek out IVF treatment.
SB 68 Tort Reform
The bill establishes terms of liability for when plaintiffs can sue business owners after suffering an injury on a job site by a third party. The owner will not be responsible for this injury.
Attorneys during jury selection can ask prospective jurors if they would consider non-monetary verdicts.
In automobile related court cases, defense lawyers can introduce evidence about whether car crash victims wore a seat belt. Victims can only seek damages related to the actual cost of medical care.
HB 123 Death Row and Intellectual Disability
Those on death row awaiting trial can file a pretrial notice to claim intellectual disability. If the courts find the defendant has an intellectual disability he or she is then barred from receiving the death penalty. A defendant must provide the names of any witnesses who can attest to an intellectual disability.
SB 144 Pesticide Manufacturing
Pesticide and fertilizer manufacturers will not be held liable for failing to warn consumers about potential health risks. Labeling pesticides as a potential health risk beyond what is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will raise production costs as many farmers in Georgia rely on crop protection products.
Without domestic production of crop protection products such as glyphosate, farmers will have to rely on Chinese imports, which sponsors fear will mean that Georgia farmers rely on foreign countries to produce food and fiber.
HB 172 Financial Forgiveness for Veterinary Students
This bill grants loan forgiveness for all veterinary students in Georgia. In order to get loan forgiveness students cannot exceed $90,000 in loans.
HB 77 Funeral Processions
All motor vehicles would give the right of way to funeral processions at intersections.
Exceptions are funeral procession vehicles have to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles and they must yield when they are directed by a traffic officer.
SB 185 Gender Hormone Therapy Ban in State Prisons
Restricts state funds or resources for certain medical treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy, with the exception for emergencies and necessary follow-up care for inmates.
House Bill 172 Financial Forgiveness for Veterinary Students
This bill grants loan forgiveness for all veterinary students in Georgia. In order to get loan forgiveness students cannot exceed $90,000 in loans.
Senate Bill 36 Religious Freedom Restoration
Governor Brian Kemp signed this bill into law within hours after it was passed. The law is a state version of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It reinforces Georgians rights to worship as they please without government interference.
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