GeorgiaSB 962025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Official Code of Georgia Annotated; provisions creating certain boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies; update and modernize

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Frank Ginn (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Larry Walker (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Became Law

Code RevisionGovernment OversightGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

22 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 14 mixed.

More firefighters qualify for disability pay

The law expands who counts as a firefighter for temporary disability compensation. Paid firefighters in certified departments, certified volunteer firefighters, and State Forestry Commission employees with fire-mitigation duties are now eligible. Certification in writing by the relevant council or employment by a certified department is required.

Employment First help for disabilities

The state sets "Employment First" as the goal for working-age people with disabilities. It defines "competitive integrated employment" and "disability" and applies these terms to state-funded work supports. A board advises leaders, creates provider training, reviews funding for services and inclusive college programs, and reports every two years with recommendations.

New training and rules for firefighters

Full-time and part-time firefighters must finish basic training within 12 months of hire. Volunteers must finish within 18 months. To keep certification, firefighters must do regular training and drills set by the councils. Chiefs must file proof that their departments meet minimum rules before a compliance certificate is issued. Councils can set standards at or above state minimums and can suspend or revoke certificates for lacking staff, equipment, or insurance; chiefs have 30 days to request a hearing, and the Attorney General can halt operations until compliance. The law also updates key definitions and gives the councils power to approve schools and accept out-of-state training.

Stricter erosion control training rules

Georgia sets required erosion and sediment control training programs and trainer qualifications. Certifications expire within three years and need at least four hours of approved continuing education every three years. The council must approve the state erosion control manual before it is published and can guide best practices, mediate disputes, and set training. The final exam score is set by the council, and the two-hour awareness seminar has no final exam.

Stronger gear rules for fire departments

The law broadens who counts as a fire department to include volunteer units and similar groups. Departments must keep 24‑hour protection, train members to basic firefighter standards, and map their service area. Each pumper must deliver at least 750 GPM at 150 PSI and carry at least a 250‑gallon tank. Each pumping apparatus must have at least two approved self‑contained breathing apparatus, and members must have proper protective clothing.

Who counts for firefighter pensions

The law defines who is a "permanent, compensated" firefighter for the state pension fund. You must hold (or be a candidate for) a current firefighter certificate, mainly fight fires, actually perform suppression work, and work at least 1,040 hours a year. People whose main job is emergency medical services are excluded. This confirms eligibility for many full-time fire-suppression staff and may exclude EMS-only or very part-time roles.

Clearer rules for palliative care

The law updates key terms in Georgia’s palliative care rules. It names the Department of Community Health and its commissioner, clarifies which health facilities are covered, and defines palliative care as care that eases suffering and improves quality of life. These changes make program rules clearer for patients and providers.

New council on lupus education

Georgia creates the Council on Lupus Education and Awareness. It has six members, including the health commissioner (or designee), a lupus doctor, a lupus patient, and appointees of the Governor, Speaker, and Lieutenant Governor. The council studies current lupus education, develops materials and seeks federal endorsements, and advises the state on how to direct funds for education, awareness, and research.

New Environmental Advisory Council

The Governor appoints a 15-member Environmental Advisory Council with staggered two-year terms. The council can advise the Governor and agencies and review plans and rules. Members are unpaid but get expense and mileage allowances like General Assembly members.

Background checks for firefighter applicants

Law enforcement must send two fingerprint sets for firefighter applicants to the state crime center; one goes to the FBI and one is kept by the state. Agencies pay the required fees. Conviction data are private and shared only as allowed. Agencies must tell the fire chief about any felony conviction. For volunteers, the council provides a simple form that only shows whether a felony conviction exists.

Juvenile justice data rules and privacy

Judges must let listed agencies inspect court and law‑enforcement records to get statistics on children. Juvenile detention facilities must keep detailed data on each child for three years and let listed agencies inspect it during business hours. These data are for official use only, exempt from public release, and not subject to subpoena. Intake tools must be built with named state partners and validated at least every five years. The Department of Juvenile Justice must publish yearly arrest, detention, placement, and recidivism data and work with named agencies.

Changes to palliative and lupus councils

The law removes the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council from state law. On July 1, 2025, any of that council’s assets and liabilities that exist on June 30, 2025 move to the State of Georgia. It also repeals the old statute on donations to the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness.

Children’s office duties moved; grant limits

The law removes a code part for the Governor’s Office for Children and Families and ends a required plan review by that office. Beginning July 1, 2025, any of that office’s assets and liabilities that exist on June 30, 2025 move to the State of Georgia. Oversight in the Georgia Mentoring Act shifts to the Department of Human Services. Only the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Governor’s Office for Children and Families (per Code 49‑5‑132), and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council can control certain federal juvenile justice grants.

Employment First council ended; assets shift

The law removes the Employment First Georgia Council from state law. On July 1, 2025, any of the council’s assets and liabilities that exist on June 30, 2025 move to the State of Georgia.

Environmental and Jekyll Island boards updated

The Board of Natural Resources, with the Governor’s approval, appoints and can remove the Environmental Protection Division director. An assistant director is required. The law repeals the Stakeholder Advisory Board and the Jekyll Island Citizens Resource Council. On July 1, 2025, any assets and liabilities of those councils that exist on June 30, 2025 move to the State of Georgia.

Firefighter councils: appointments and operations

The Governor picks council members and must appoint at least one volunteer fire department representative. The Georgia Volunteer Fire Service Council is repealed; its assets and debts on June 30, 2025 move to the State on July 1, 2025. Serving on a council is not holding public office. Councils are assigned to the Department of Public Safety, must meet at least twice a year, and must send an annual report. The councils appoint an executive director with hiring and contracting authority. The old state law on volunteer firefighter qualifications is repealed.

Homeland security leadership and board changes

The law expands the Homeland Security Director’s duties and coordination role. It removes the Board of Homeland Security from state law. On July 1, 2025, any board assets and liabilities that exist on June 30, 2025 move to the State of Georgia.

Lottery Retailer Advisory Board ended

The law repeals the code section that created the Lottery Retailer Advisory Board. The section is now reserved, and the board’s advisory role ends.

New advisors for court tech group

The law updates who advises the Georgia Courts Automation Commission. It names several agency heads or their designees as advisory members.

New oversight for Georgia State Games

The law defines the State Games’ direct‑support organization and clarifies what counts as physical fitness. A nonprofit that helps run the Games must have a contract with the Department of Natural Resources, an approved annual budget, and yearly financial and performance reviews. The nonprofit must get an independent annual audit and send the report to the Governor and the commission. Several old code sections that created the commission’s structure and duties are repealed.

State takes on board assets, debts

Beginning July 1, 2025, the State of Georgia takes ownership of any assets of the Georgia State Games Commission and the Lottery Retailer Advisory Board that existed on June 30, 2025. The state also assumes any of their liabilities that existed on June 30, 2025. This change only covers assets and debts that existed on that date.

Homeless housing commission adds members

The State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission grows from 9 to 11 members. The Governor appoints five public members, and the Senate President and House Speaker each appoint two. Public members serve four-year terms, with some initial two-year terms. New appointees begin their terms on August 23, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Matthew Gambill
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 248 • No: 18

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 3/21/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 162 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/20/2025