GeorgiaHB 6592025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Health; rural assistance; expand medical education funding and the service cancelable loan program to include optometrists

Sponsored By: Gerald Greene (Republican), Leesa Hagan (Republican), Lee Hawkins (Republican), Rick Jasperse (Republican), Darlene Taylor (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Rural DevelopmentHealth and Human ServicesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Rural service loan relief for optometrists

Georgia’s rural service loan program now includes optometrists, alongside physicians, dentists, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals and licensed in Georgia when the loan is made. They must have graduated from a U.S. health care program with an accreditor accepted by the workforce board. Loans renew one year at a time, for up to four years. The board sets amounts based on education debt. Each full year of service in an approved rural area cancels one year’s loan plus accrued regular interest. The board may consider residency and home area, prioritizing applicants practicing or starting practice where shortages exist. Rural-area decisions consider provider numbers, health, poverty, age, community support, and access to care regardless of ability to pay.

More medication options in care homes

Georgia law adds GLP-1 medicines to those authorized personnel can give residents in personal care homes and assisted living communities. The authorized list includes insulin, epinephrine, GLP-1 medicines, and vitamin B12. Personnel must follow a physician’s direction and protocol.

Rural recruitment grants now include optometrists

Georgia’s rural recruitment grants now include optometrists, alongside physicians, dentists, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses. Eligible recipients include hospitals, other health care entities, local governments, and civic groups in underserved rural areas. The workforce board gives priority to designated education loans and scholarships and rural service loans before awarding grants. Annual grants can help repay education loans, add to salaries, or pay office support staff. Recipients must match at least the grant amount, and grants cannot exceed planned recruitment costs. Grant money cannot pay recruiting firms or individual recruiters. The board may require an optometrist to remain employed in the area for a set minimum time.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Matt Brass
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 378 • No: 10

House vote • 4/2/2026

Agree to Senate Amendment

Yes: 164 • No: 8 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 2/2/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 2 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2026
House Date Signed by Governor
5/5/2026House
Act 385
5/5/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/10/2026House
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
4/2/2026House
Senate Third Read
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/25/2026Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/25/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/3/2026Senate
House Third Readers
2/2/2026House
House Passed/Adopted
2/2/2026House
House Committee Favorably Reported
1/29/2026House
House Second Readers
3/3/2025House
House First Readers
2/28/2025House
House Hopper
2/27/2025House

Bill Text

HB 659/AP* (v5)
PDF

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