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

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


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 1 (morning). 

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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 House and Senate; returns to House for final approval.

HB 268 – School Safety

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  • 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 governor’s desk.

Georgia lawmakers agree on school safety bill after Apalachee High School shooting

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 governor’s desk.

HB 428 – IVF Protections

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

HB 225 / HB 651 – School Zone Camera Restrictions

  • HB 225 would ban school zone speed cameras entirely.
  • HB 651 proposes new restrictions on the use of those cameras.
  • Status: Passed House.

School zone camera bills: One to ban them, one to reform. But both overturn the system

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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.

Georgia set to ease strict rules for proving intellectual disability in death penalty cases

HB 551 – Car Booting Regulation

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  • Prohibits booting companies from paying property owners in exchange for operating in parking lots.
  • Status: Passed Senate.

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.

SENATE BILLS

SB 1 – Transgender Girls in Sports

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  • 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.

Georgia General Assembly passes bill banning trans athletes from women’s sports

SB 74 – Explicit Materials in Libraries

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  • 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.

Georgia bill seeks penalties for librarians over restricted books

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

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  • 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 Senate.

Georgia Republican-led Senate passes controversial Religious Freedom Bill

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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

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

Georgia tort reform bill: House of Representatives passes controversial bill

SB 21 – Sovereign Immunity Reform

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

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 Senate.

Georgia’s reimbursement bill would allow Trump to recover costs

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Zuckerman eyes MLB Draft after superb baseball season at Georgia Tech

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Zuckerman eyes MLB Draft after superb baseball season at Georgia Tech


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Ryan Zuckerman is last on the alphabetical list of the 335 college and high school baseball players attending the June 22-27 MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix.

What the 2023 Pennsbury graduate did in his lone season at Georgia Tech has garnered him plenty of attention from MLB scouts regardless of where his name is on a list that includes Holy Ghost Prep grad Aiden Robbins, a Texas outfield standout who is expected to go as early as late in the first round, fellow Pennsbury graduate Joe Tiroly, an infielder from Virginia, and Pennsbury senior right-handed pitcher Keller Bradley.

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MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the conference champion Yellow Jackets, second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and leader in home runs (23) and RBIs (79, tied for eighth in the country) for the high-powered Georgia Tech offense are just a few of Zuckerman’s notable accomplishments heading into the July 11-13 draft. He is projected to go toward the middle of the 20 rounds.

“It’s pretty surreal for sure,” said Zuckerman, 21. “It’s something I dreamed of my whole life.”

In a season filled with memorable moments, perhaps most impressive was Zuckerman being named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting three home runs with six RBIs and batting .571 (8 for 14), culminating in a 13-6 championship game win over North Carolina in Charlotte. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection at third base.

Zuckerman and Georgia Tech went into the NCAA Atlanta regional as the nation’s No. 2 seed. Though the 50-11 Yellow Jackets ended up being eliminated by losing twice to Oklahoma, including 8-7 in 10 innings for the regional title, Zuckerman can only rave about his experience at Georgia Tech.  

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“If you would have told me that’s how the season for me and each of us on the team would’ve gone, I would’ve been extremely happy,” Zuckerman said. “It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life.”

After a solid sophomore season at Pitt in which he hit .295 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored, Zuckerman believed transferring would help him develop into a more pro-ready player and allow him to win more games. And Georgia Tech checked all the boxes

In addition to his career-best home run and RBI numbers, Zuckerman led Georgia Tech in 2026 with 24 multi-RBI games while establishing career-highs in batting average (.345), runs (71), hits (80), walks (37), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base percentage (.438). He batted fifth in the order.

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The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Zuckerman, who always had a strong arm, also worked hard to improve his defense at third base, resulting in 15.99 defensive runs saved for the season, which was the 13th-highest total in college baseball.

“I like to say I’m arguably the best third baseman in the country,” he said.

As a senior playing third at Pennsbury, Zuckerman hit .465 with an on-base percentage of .563, plus six doubles, six home runs, 23 RBIs and scored 26 runs.

“In high school, he was incredible for us,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “(A year ago), he decided to go from a mid- to low ACC team to the best team in the ACC. Surrounding himself with amazing players at Georgia Tech, he’s kind of elevated his game.”

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Since the conclusion of the collegiate season, Zuckerman has been working out in preparation for the MLB Draft Combine and, ultimately, the draft. He’s been splitting his time between Yardley and Atlanta.

MLB teams have indicated Zuckerman’s power bat and defense are two of his strengths, while he’s focusing on improving his swing selection and making more contact at the plate.

Zuckerman is looking forward to hearing his name called by one of the 30 major league clubs. Whether a team views him as a third baseman, first baseman, corner outfielder or even second baseman doesn’t really matter to him.

“I think right now I’m in a great position to go and play professional baseball and start my journey up to the big leagues,” Zuckerman said. “The goal is not to get drafted – it’s to play MLB.”

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

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Georgia pair charged with murder after bartender’s dismembered remains found in lake outside Atlanta

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Georgia pair charged with murder after bartender’s dismembered remains found in lake outside Atlanta


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A Georgia pair have been charged with murder after allegedly slaughtering a bartender and dumping his dismembered remains in a lake, according to authorities.

Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, were arrested on Monday for allegedly murdering Jamal Rashad Parker, 37, in a home outside of Atlanta, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

Investigators discovered Parker’s remains in May in the Dog River Reservoir, located about 30 miles outside Atlanta.

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Parker’s identity was confirmed using DNA comparison technology after his father contacted authorities to report that the victim’s tattoos matched his son’s ink, local station WSB-TV reported.

MINNESOTA MAN ACCUSED OF DISMEMBERING GIRLFRIENDS, HIDING BODIES IN STORAGE UNITS ENTERS PLEA

Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, are charged with murder. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators believe the two suspects killed Parker inside a home in Douglasville where Baker lived.

Late last month, investigators were observed leaving the home with a reciprocating saw and cleaning supplies, according to WSB-TV.

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Police have not disclosed if Parker knew his alleged killers. However, a GoFundMe created by a family member described the pair as “people he knew and trusted.”

SUZANNE SIMPSON’S DNA FOUND ON MURDER SUSPECT HUSBAND’S SAW THAT CAN CUT METAL

A family member described Jamal Rashad Parker as a bartender, musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit.” (GoFundMe)

The suspects pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday and are being held without bond. Both have lengthy criminal records, according to reports.

“I want them to be punished. And I don’t even think a life sentence is good enough,” Parker’s dad, Charles Parker, told WSB-TV outside the courthouse.

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“It’s the kind of stuff you see on TV, but I mean … they had no remorse,” he added.

In addition to bartending at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Atlanta, the victim was a musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit,” according to the GoFundMe page created to cover burial costs.

Investigators believe the two suspects killed the victim inside a home in Douglasville. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)

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“He loved life and the people he met along his journey in life. He was a musical artist, visual artist, and a professional bartender who enjoyed creating new drinks. This has totally devastated our family and friends and has left us heartbroken,” the fundraiser reads.

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Georgia football trying to flip Grayson CB recruit

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Georgia football trying to flip Grayson CB recruit


The Georgia Bulldogs are trying to flip cornerback recruit Preston Glasco just over a week after he committed to the Connecticut Huskies.

Glasco, a member of the class of 2027, announced his commitment to UConn on June 10. Since committing to UCONN, Georgia has hosted Glasco on an official visit and offered him a scholarship (back on June 18).

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound cornerback has excellent length and size. Glasco has impressive athleticism and ran a 4.47-4.57 second 40-yard dash (hand timed) during a recent workout with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Glasco plays high school football for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He’s unranked as a recruit, but that’s bound to change soon. The unranked cornerback plays against a stout level of competition at Grayson, who is a Georgia high school powerhouse.

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Glasco has scholarship offers from Army, Yale, Boston College, Penn and more. He’s a great student and appears to be healthy after he was recovering from a surgery around this time last year. The talented Grayson cornerback has also gone on recent visits to South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Coach Kirby Smart and Georgia currently don’t have any cornerback commitments in the class of 2027.

Georgia football offers Preston Glasco

“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Georgia,” Glasco said after Georgia offered him.

Glasco visits UGA football

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia football recruiting coverage! 





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