GeorgiaHB 672025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025

Sponsored By: Jon Burns (Republican), Chuck Efstration (Republican), Matt Hatchett (Republican), Jan Jones (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationsGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

91 provisions identified: 77 benefits, 7 costs, 7 mixed.

4% raises for state workers and officers

Beginning July 1, 2024, active, full‑time, benefit‑eligible state employees get a 4% raise, capped at $3,000. State officers whose pay is set in law also get a 4% raise, capped at $3,000, with amounts calculated by the budget office. Department heads and officers whose pay is not set by statute get the same 4% increase, capped at $3,000.

Raises for teachers, librarians, and staff

On September 1, 2024, certificated K–12 staff on the state salary schedule get a $2,500 base pay increase. Starting July 1, 2024, local school nutrition workers, bus drivers, school nurses, and RESA staff get a 4.1% raise. Pre‑K teachers move onto the State Board of Education pay schedule, and DECAL teachers and assistants get a $2,500 raise. University System and Technical College employees, and public librarians funded by the state, get a 4% raise capped at $3,000 starting July 1, 2024.

Targeted $3,000 boosts and retention pay

Selected POST‑certified officers in listed agencies get a $3,000 pay adjustment starting July 1, 2024. Eligibility caseworkers at the Department of Human Services get an added $3,000 salary beginning April 1, 2025. The law also funds targeted retention payments for specific jobs in Juvenile Courts and several state agencies.

Help for farmers hit by Helene

The state provides $185 million in FY 2025 to the Georgia Development Authority. The money gives disaster relief to farmers and timber producers hurt by Hurricane Helene. Eligible producers can apply for funding to cover losses and recovery costs.

Core state prison operations funded

The law provides $1.052 billion for State Prisons in FY 2025, including $1.039 billion in state funds. It also adds $31.110 million for food and farm operations and $48.604 million for offender management. The money pays for operations, staff, maintenance, food production, and coordination across facilities. These are agency funds, not direct payments to households.

Georgia Tech Research Institute funding

The law provides $998.504 million in total funds to the Georgia Tech Research Institute, including $7.150 million in state funds. The money supports research that promotes jobs, health, and safety. Funds go to the institute, not directly to households.

More funds for state insurance and PTSD

The state strengthens its risk management funds. It pays $657,877 for supplemental payments to first responders diagnosed with job‑related PTSD. It adds $50 million for excess insurance, $175 million to cut liability obligations, and $4.3 million for the COVID‑19 indemnity fund.

Big boost for water and sewer

The state funds major water and sewer work. GEFA receives about $569.6 million, including $501.7 million for surface water and $66.1 million for direct water and sewer investments. Another $200 million funds low‑interest loans for communities that missed earlier coastal water funding.

Large boost to state pensions

The state invests $500 million in the Employees’ Retirement System. This strengthens pension funding and supports long‑term security for public workers and retirees.

More funding for roads, rail, airports

The state boosts transportation funding. It adds $98.9 million to offset motor fuel tax suspension after Hurricane Helene. It adds $24.4 million for local road and bridge grants, $12.975 million to upgrade shortline rail, $7.8 million for airport aid, and $527,299 for traffic management and safety systems.

Inmate healthcare and new EHR funded

The Department of Corrections gets $406.014 million for inmate health care in FY 2025. It funds physical, dental, and mental health services. The law also provides $15.048 million to install an electronic health records system and $15.789 million for outside‑the‑wire medical costs. These investments improve care and record‑keeping for inmates.

Medicaid fraud checks and budget flexibility

The Department of Community Health receives $480.3 million for FY 2025. It includes $550,000 to pilot tools to spot Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse and $795,000 for PACE consulting. The law also lets Low-Income Medicaid, Aged/Blind/Disabled Medicaid, and PeachCare use up to 10% more of their stated budgets from lawful state funds, with equal offsets so totals stay within the fund source.

More funding for schools and students

The state adds $114.3 million to the K–12 funding formula for enrollment growth. It increases support for state commission charter schools by $12.9 million. It adds $50 million for school security grants, about $21,635 per school, with annual use reports starting August 1, 2025. It funds more AP and PSAT exams, after‑school programs, driver’s education, and adaptive sports. It also increases the Special Needs Scholarship and gives $21,635 for security at Georgia Military College Preparatory School.

Major state building and equipment projects

The state funds many capital projects. It provides $99.8 million for a new Translational Research Building at Augusta University. It funds $46.498 million for prison furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and $30 million to design a new prison. It provides $43 million for a Central Medical Examiner Building and $10 million for GWCCA HVAC. It also gives $4.785 million to buy a firefighting helicopter.

More funding for roads and freight

The state puts major money into transportation. It adds $500 million for freight projects. It adds $265 million for local roads and bridges and $100 million for resurfacing. It adds $200 million for Hurricane Helene repairs plus $5.4 million for higher maintenance costs. It also adds $46.461 million to the GTIB program, with $7.5 million set aside for airport projects.

Investments in universities and libraries

The state funds $8.69 billion for university teaching and fixes the FY 2025 cost‑of‑living formula (+$17.75 million). It boosts public library materials one time from $0.70 to $1.00 per person and helps libraries hit by Hurricane Helene. It adds $75,000 to study alternative college admissions tests. It also removes $500,000 in unused one‑time rural project funds while adding $475,000 for dental clinical training and $70,337 for a youth science center.

More services for refugee families

The state directs $20.17 million in federal funds to refugee assistance. Services include employment help, health screening, medical care, cash aid, and social services for eligible refugees.

More support for foster and residential care

The state increases funding by $38.6 million for out-of-home care to cover more placements and higher costs. It also funds one position and IT upgrades to license new child-caring institution types. This helps children in foster or residential care and strengthens oversight.

TANF payments and work help

TANF cash help is 66% of the standard of need, up to the legal maximum for your family size. Payments start on the date you are certified, not when you applied. If you are in subsidized work, you may get a supplemental payment up to the minimum hourly wage. The state also adds $70,000 for basic cash aid and $100,000 for TANF work assistance in SFY 2024–2025.

Money to pay lawful refunds

The state sets aside money to pay refunds the law already allows. This includes refunds of taxes collected in error and farmer gasoline tax refunds. Payments happen when refunds are due under existing law.

$100 million for Helene farm relief

The law redirects $100 million to Hurricane Helene recovery. Effective November 1, 2024, the funds help farmers and timber producers with financial relief and debris cleanup through state programs.

Funding changes for courts and prosecutors

District Attorneys receive $111.420 million in FY 2025 and add one assistant DA for a new judgeship starting July 1, 2024. Superior Courts receive $86.500 million and remove $218,555 tied to a judgeship that did not pass. The Supreme Court receives $20.843 million, removes $13,627 for a failed raise, and adds $13,343 for building rent and other costs. These funds support court and prosecution capacity, not direct household payments.

Funding for state legislature operations

For FY 2025, the law funds the Lieutenant Governor’s Office ($2.147 million), the Secretary of the Senate ($1.553 million), the Senate ($13.690 million), the House ($26.040 million), and legislative support ($14.575 million). Starting July 1, 2024, this money pays for staff and operations to keep the legislature running.

Funds set aside for state leases

The law sets aside money so state agencies can pay their lease contracts. If one fund is short, the agency must use other appropriations to cover the lease first. This protects agency operations and services.

More correctional officers and pay raises

The law adds $46,018,769 to hire 330 correctional officers statewide and $4,965,863 to add officers in detention centers. It also provides $2,566,575 for cost‑of‑living raises for employees at Coffee, Wheeler, Jenkins, and Riverbend correctional institutions. These funds improve staffing and pay in prisons.

More funding for inmate health care

The law adds $14,661,767 for physical health services, $2,198,857 for dental care, $8,081,370 for mental health care, and $3,936,342 for pharmacy services for inmates. These funds expand contract health services to meet a larger prison population.

More funding for transition centers

Transition Centers receive $45.469 million in FY 2025, including $45.249 million in state funds. The money supports work release and reentry services for people leaving incarceration.

New cameras and drone detection in prisons

The law provides $10,490,930 to buy 1,460 body cameras and 1,300 tasers for prison staff. It adds $17,918,718 for managed access and drone detection to block contraband. It also funds tablets and software for officers ($2,506,740) and $6,225,000 for data integration. These upgrades aim to improve safety and operations in prisons.

Pay boosts to keep supervision staff

Community Supervision Field Services gets $211.09 million for FY 2025. The law adds $4.5 million to keep staff and reduce turnover. It also funds a $109,338 lease for the Milledgeville Day Reporting Center.

Prison repairs and security upgrades funded

The state funds major prison repairs and safety projects. It provides $80.220 million to build four 126‑bed modular units and $34.263 million to replace locking control systems. It adds $32.408 million for backlog maintenance and $3.785 million for maintenance staff, plus project managers and skilled repair teams. It funds off‑site mail screening and a digital forensics unit, and creates an Over Watch and Logistics unit with $7.159 million. These upgrades improve safety and operations, not direct household payments.

Private prison contracts funded for 2025

The law provides $152.648 million for private prison contracts in FY 2025. The money pays for facilities and services run by private companies under state oversight.

State Department of Defense funding

The state provides $111.163 million in total funds to the Department of Defense for FY 2025, including $12.629 million in state funds. The money supports state‑level defense activities and operations.

Technology authority funding and reports

The state gives $73.510 million to the Georgia Technology Authority for FY 2025. GTA must report every quarter on the Technology Empowerment Fund. Reports must list payments and disbursements, interest earned, and any GTA plan to spend TEF funds.

Flexible funding for roads, ports, and rail

The law lets four DOT road programs use up to 10% more of their stated budgets from lawful state funds, with equal offsets across them. It also lets Airport Aid, Ports and Waterways, and Rail use up to 20% more, with offsets so totals stay within the fund source. This helps keep or speed up projects.

Hurricane Helene recovery and local relief funds

The law provides $113,000,000 to the Governor’s Emergency Fund for Hurricane Helene response. It also supplies $50,000,000 to cover the state and local 25% match for debris removal on local roads. Another $5,000,000 helps county facilities meet federal compliance costs.

Funding for Medical College hospital

The state provides $46.0 million to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics. The money supports graduate medical education and patient care services.

More funds for rural housing and downtowns

The state funds rural and community projects. OneGeorgia gets $99.6 million, including $28 million for rural workforce housing, $20 million for rural sites, and $25 million for Hurricane Helene relief. The Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund gets $5 million to make more loans. The Accountable Housing Initiative gets $1,192,383 ($1 million state, $192,383 other). These dollars support housing, site prep, and local recovery projects.

Veterinary training and research funding

The state provides $7.10 million for the Veterinary Medicine Experiment Station for animal-disease research and training. It also provides $32.59 million to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital to support clinical instruction and address veterinarian shortages.

Easier benefits sign-up in Georgia Gateway

The state funds $1.4688 million to combine Pathways and Georgia Access into the Georgia Gateway eligibility system. This helps people use one platform to check and apply for benefits.

Grants to open more summer meal sites

The state provides $100,000 for start-up grants to add Summer Food Service Program sites in high-need areas. Providers can get up to $10,000 each. Families may see new free meal sites for kids.

More care for Georgia veterans

Veterans nursing homes get $2 million one time to open a Sub-Acute Therapy Unit and $1.5 million in ongoing funds for higher care costs. The state also provides $1.75 million to keep a veterans wraparound services pilot running after federal funds end.

Stronger child support systems and enforcement

The state funds one-time maintenance for child support software so cases keep moving. It also adds funds to collect support from parents who live out of state. This helps custodial parents get payments.

One-time 2024 state tax refund

The law provides a one-time refund for 2024 state income tax filers. Single filers get $250. Heads of household get $375. Married filing jointly get $500. The money comes from $1 billion in state surplus funds.

Clearer rules on budgets and fund use

State funds are read at the most detailed line‑item level. Federal and Other Funds use summary‑level amounts. Agencies can use federal or other funds for any lawful purpose consistent with the source and their powers, but not for attached agencies.

DOC budget shifts for maintenance and courts

The law moves money inside the Department of Corrections. It shifts $2.77 million to Offender Management to reflect virtual court savings. It also moves $1.572 million to Detention Centers and $718,679 to Transition Centers for facility maintenance and repairs.

Driver Services tech upgrades and fraud checks

Driver Services moves its investigations case system to the cloud ($320,000). It adds chatbot tools to speed call center help ($452,000). It funds address‑fraud prevention technology ($250,000). These changes aim to improve service and protect data; they do not pay money to households.

Funding for audits and tax digest

The law funds state audits with $38,038,788 in general funds (plus $60,000 other) and gives $2,998,606 to produce the statewide property tax digest for FY 2025. It also adds $5,914 so the Department of Revenue can pay rent during an office move. These steps support fiscal oversight and property tax administration.

Funding for dental licensing software

The state provides $1,205,896 for the Georgia Board of Dentistry, including $263,396 for new licensing software and $83,100 in existing funds. The upgrade helps speed up license reviews.

Funding for legislative support offices

The law provides $1,430,300 for the Legislative Fiscal Office and $6,584,090 for the Office of Legislative Counsel for FY 2025. Starting July 1, 2024, this money keeps bill drafting, legal help, and fiscal analysis running for the legislature. It supports government operations, not direct payments to households.

Keeps 24/7 anti-trafficking hotline running

The law provides $100,000 to keep the End Human Trafficking Georgia hotline operating 24/7. The funds support staffing and operations so victims and the public can get help any time.

Marine research and extension funded

The law funds coastal research and outreach programs. It gives $1.766 million to the Marine Institute, $4.373 million to the Marine Resources Extension Center, and $7.899 million to the Skidaway Institute. These funds support research and education, not direct household payments.

More funding for prison farming and food

The law provides $2,000,000 for Corrections farming operations. The money supports timber management, crops, livestock, and dairy used in inmate meals.

More funds for juvenile beds and staff

The law provides $348,298 to cover youth competency bed costs in community services. It also adds $681,688 to help retain juvenile correctional officers in secure detention centers. These funds support youth treatment capacity and staffing stability.

More funds for parks and venison

The law provides $17,049,380 one time for parks and historic sites, including $1,500,000 for Stone Mountain, $14,549,380 for outdoor recreation, and $1,000,000 for historic preservation. It also gives $200,000 to process donated venison so it can be used for food assistance and related programs.

More staff funds for Aging Council

The state adds $32,414 to pay staff at the Georgia Council on Aging for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. This supports the Council’s work for older Georgians.

More staff to fight human trafficking

The state provides $490,700 to keep three GBI human trafficking positions after federal funds ended. It also provides $187,036 to add six Department of Law positions in Macon and Augusta. These new law positions start April 1, 2025.

More support for crime labs and cases

The law adds $356,862 for crime lab instrument service contracts. It funds start‑up costs for new lab staff and evidence roles ($62,068 and $31,612) and for two crime scene leaders and three digital forensic investigators ($165,466). It also provides $1,000,000 for a GBI gang case management system.

New ballistic helmets for troopers

The state provides $1,625,980 to replace 1,000 ballistic helmets for the Department of Public Safety. This supports officer safety.

New state threat assessment group

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation gets $96,472 in FY 2025 to start a Strategic Threat Assessment Group. The group addresses threats to public officials, supports homeland security work, and partners with critical infrastructure. The start‑up funding runs July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

No funds for delinquent accountability courts

Courts that fail to file required reports or send in fines and fees do not get state money. Funding resumes only after the court complies.

Poultry disease labs get equipment funds

The law provides $3,364,285 for Poultry Veterinary Diagnostic Labs in FY 2025. It includes $225,000 for five replacement vehicles and $90,228 for Avian Influenza equipment. The funds support testing and disease response for the poultry sector.

PSC adds inspector gear and covers COLA

The Public Service Commission gets $42,142 for equipment and a vehicle for one pipeline safety inspector. It also gets $24,108 to cover staff COLA in FY 2025 until federal reimbursement arrives in FY 2026.

Shift federal offenders and add beds

The law tells Corrections to identify offenders with federal crimes and move them to federal custody. The department must report progress to state budget leaders by June 30, 2025. It also funds 188 new beds at Coffee and 258 at Wheeler private prisons starting February 1, 2025.

Small transfer for defense community support

The law moves $30,000 from the Technical College System to the Department of Economic Development. It supports the Georgia Joint Defense Commission and the Defense Community Economic Development Fund under SB 398 (2024).

Transfers for eligible international offenders

Corrections must find inmates eligible for the International Prisoner Transfer Program and help move them under that program. Corrections and the Parole Board must also identify eligible non‑violent international offenders for transfer to ICE custody. The department must report progress to the Governor’s budget office and legislative appropriations chairs by June 30, 2025.

Upgrades to GBI vehicles and security

The law funds a new pool‑car reservation system for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and adjusts security contract funding. Added funds are $29,472 and $18,075.

Urgent prison repairs get funding

The law adds $20,000,000 for critical capital maintenance and repairs at state prisons. The funds address urgent infrastructure and safety needs.

More funding for consumer and alcohol oversight

The law directs $500,000 collected under state consumer laws to the Department of Law for consumer protection work. It also provides $10,758,358 to regulate alcohol and tobacco, including $370,147 in federal funds and $9,468,541 in state funds. These dollars support enforcement, education, and public health efforts that protect consumers.

Corrections admin and long-term planning funds

The Department of Corrections gets $45.664 million for central administration in FY 2025. It receives $906,290 for planning and project management. It also gets $2.5 million to build a 10‑year facility and population plan with staffing targets.

Detention centers and treatment get funding

Detention Centers receive $76.448 million in FY 2025 to run operations. The state adds $73,674 to the RSAT treatment contract in detention centers. It adds $176,326 for RSAT treatment in state prisons.

Grants to reimburse forestland protections

The state provides $39.073 million for Forestland Protection Grants. Counties, cities, and school districts get reimbursed for forestland conservation and qualified timberland property programs.

State funds keep highway safety staff paid

The state provides $130,000 to replace delayed federal funds for three Office of Highway Safety employees. This keeps those positions paid with state funds.

Funds for Alzheimer’s and dementia registry

The state provides $150,000 to the Department of Public Health for an Alzheimer’s and dementia registry. The money supports registry operations and outreach to help families and caregivers.

Health education and local public health support

The law funds campaigns on colorectal cancer and vaping risks ($250,000 each). It funds a $270,000 study on social media and kids’ mental health. It pays $437,000 to mail Low THC Oil registry cards and gives $300,000 one-time for county health equipment. A $225,000 brain health campaign moves to Public Health to match contracts.

Hiring and training for correctional officers

The state provides $900,000 to build an updated training curriculum for correctional officers. It also funds a $1,012,142 statewide marketing push to recruit and onboard new officers.

More job training in prisons

The state increases funding for Technical College System vocational education in state prisons, detention centers, and transition centers. Added funds total about $701,789 to expand training for people in custody.

More training for jailers and officers

Beginning April 1, 2025, the state funds $114,419 for extra jailer training and $258,328 to hire two basic training instructors. It also adds $338,335 for equipment, weapons, ammo, and vehicle costs. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center runs these programs.

Upgrades to prison education and facility upkeep

The state replaces 750 Chromebooks in state prisons, 150 in detention centers, and 100 in transition centers for technical education. It also moves $1,572,489 to detention centers for capital maintenance and repairs. These steps support inmate education and facility upkeep.

Public pension and FICA funding trimmed

The state trims funding tied to public pensions and payroll support. It cuts $580,168 for Local Tax Officials Retirement and employer FICA, setting that appropriation at $9,169,007. It also removes $6,000 that had been set aside for costs linked to HB 472, which did not pass. These are small reductions and do not change benefit formulas.

Forensic services locality pay reduction

The law cuts $125,711 for locality pay in Forensic Scientific Services for SFY 2024–2025. This lowers funds for staff pay adjustments.

New 0.176% payroll charge on agencies

The law lets the Department of Administrative Services charge state agencies 0.176% of covered salaries to fund its operations. Agencies may also spend any unspent Merit System Assessment funds from prior years in the current year. This raises agency operating costs.

Small cuts at state insurance office

The law reduces funds for administration ($10,808), enforcement ($84,750), and regulation ($186,597) at the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance for SFY 2024–2025. These are staffing and operations cuts.

State financial system funding source shift

The state removes $5,970 in general funds for the Financial Systems program, which is now funded by Teamworks billings. The program’s total remains $23.43 million from intra-state transfers.

Cuts to health reinsurance and trauma care

The state cuts $20 million from the health reinsurance program for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. The program helps steady premiums in the individual market. It also removes $2,058,271 for the Georgia Trauma Care Network because SB 515 did not pass. This reduces money available to stabilize premiums and trauma system plans.

K-12 school funding shifts this year

The state reduces Quality Basic Education equalization funds by $24,340,036 due to corrected tax digest data for Gainesville City and Hall County. It also moves $265,501 from the Charter Schools program to the State Charter School Commission Administration to implement HB 318. This lowers state aid to those local school systems and reallocates existing charter funds for administration.

Health workforce loan repayment shift

The law moves $250,000 from nursing faculty loan repayment to the Physicians for Rural Areas program. This consolidates loan repayment funds under one program and may boost help for rural doctors while reducing funds set aside for nursing faculty.

$3 million shift to juvenile detention

The Department of Juvenile Justice moves $3 million from community services to secure detention (RYDCs). This aligns the budget with current spending needs inside the department.

More funding for courts and defense

The law funds the Court of Appeals ($26,561,098 general funds, $150,000 other) and pays for judge and court staff training ($1,797,799 total) in FY 2025. It gives $20,636,792 to the Judicial Council and Administrative Office of the Courts and $7,782,597 to help counties pay juvenile court judges. It also funds four positions for the West Georgia public defender office ($181,797). At the same time, no state funds may go to any accountability court that is late in reporting and remitting all fines and fees it collects.

Rules for extra state park receipts

Budget officials may use up to 50% of extra parks and historic site receipts to replace state funds. The rest of the extra money can be added to the parks budget for critical needs. This rule does not cover parking pass revenue.

More flexible HOPE student aid

HOPE grants and scholarships can receive up to 10% more than their stated amounts from lawful state funds. If one HOPE program uses this extra money, the same fund source for the other HOPE programs is cut by the same amount. This lets the state shift aid across HOPE programs without raising the total.

Old bonds canceled; funds moved to debt

The state cancels remaining parts of several old bond authorizations. It also moves $6.374 million that was set aside for unissued debt into the account for issued bonds to pay debt service.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Blake Tillery
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 446 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 55 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2025

Agree to Senate Sub as Am

Yes: 170 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE