March 22, 2025 Edition

We have hit the home stretch of the legislative session. From here out, every day is key whether the General Assembly is “in session” - voting on bills in the Chamber - or “out of session,” which, at this point, usually means jam-packed days of Committee meetings.

At this point, Frontline has endorsed 48 bills, and we are doing everything within our power to ensure maximum public policy gains for you, your family, your church, your community, and your business.

While Frontline is working on many, many fronts, we have three “highest priority” initiatives - listed below in no particular order:

Passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (SB 36) with NO AMENDMENTS to original language - House Judiciary held a hearing on Wednesday, but the bill stalled after weakening language was added, leading to an unsuccessful vote. Several allies were absent, and the conclusion of the meeting was a procedural mess. At this time, we are urging the Committee to fix the mess expeditiously.

Where we stand now: the bill remains in the hand of the Committee, and they have the power to restore the integrity of the bill, as Governor Kemp has repeatedly insisted, and then pass it out. With legislative days now running short, we expect such a hearing/vote to happen next week.

Strong Protections for Girls Sports and Spaces - We are proud to have partnered with and supported Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Sen. Greg Dolezal, Rep. Josh Bonner, and pro-sanity members of the House and Senate to pass SB 1 and HB 267, aka “The Riley Gaines Act.” Now, we continue to work the process to ensure the strongest possible protections for Georgia girls.

This week, a Senate subcommittee heard our testimony for The Riley Gaines Act. We are grateful for Chairman Dolezal’s work leading that Committee, and bill sponsor Rep. Josh Bonner did an excellent job fielding questions. We were honored to provide testimony and support despite the throng of leftists that still cling to the harmful and illogical ramifications of gender ideology.

Conversations continue as the House and Senate consider the merits of the two pieces of legislation, and we are working to ensure that any changes to either bill only makes the final version stronger!

Banning Puberty Blockers for Gender Reassignement - Senator Ben Watson passed SB 30 out of the State Senate, and we are working to ensure a hearing and a favorable vote in the House Public & Community Health Committee.

This week, an initial hearing was held, and Sen. Watson fielded an abundance of questions. With time growing short, we are hoping Georgia will take action this session to join the stampede of momentum among governments banning these harmful, life-altering drugs being used on children.

Again, these are just our top objectives - not a list of everything Frontline supports or is actively working on. Right now, we are optimistic that all three objectives have a clear path forward, but we ask for your continued prayer and engagement.

Governor Kemp Appoints New Labor Commissioner

Frontline misses our friend Bruce Thompson every day. A great pro-family champion, Bruce meant a lot to us and our President, Cole Muzio, had partnered with him for many victories over the years.

After he was tragically taken from us last year, our state had a void that nobody can truly replace. However, the post of Labor Commissioner was officially filled with Governor Kemp’s appointment of Barbara Rivera Holmes this week.

Holmes is now the first Latina to hold statewide office, and she brings an extensive background in economic development. A resident and community leader from Albany, GA, she fulfills a long-time promise of Governor Kemp to focus on and strengthen rural communities across our state. Previously, Governor Kemp appointed her to serve on the Board of Regents, and she has blessed our state in that capacity - in addition to her other roles - since that time.

We congratulate Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes on this historic appointment, and we pray for her as she steps into this significant role!

Tort Reform Victory: Update on Governor Kemp’s Top Priority

Governor Kemp laid out a hefty undertaking this year as his top priority: tort reform. This week, that priority has taken major steps forward in the legislative process and is nearly at the finish line. This bill has not gotten to this point without moments of dissension from both sides. Addressing tort reform is a very complex undertaking that required a great deal of thought and deliberation of all the facts. Hopefully SB68 will prove to be a commonsense measure that strikes a balance between fairness in the judicial system and limits frivolous aspects of litigation that drive up insurance premiums on small businesses and everyday Georgians.

The House chamber passed SB68 with a vote of 91-82 in a bipartisan fashion, and the Senate passed this measure in a bipartisan fashion as well with a vote of 34-21. It will now head to Governor Kemp’s desk for his signature to become law.

Tax Cuts: General Assembly Expedites Relief

It has long been a priority to cut taxes by our Republican led legislature. Each year the tax rate has been lowered to provide much needed relief to Georgians while also maintaining a stable environment despite national inflation. We are thankful to see HB111 pass to accelerate the tax cuts once again. Another measure that passed was HB112 which is an income tax refund that will put $1 billion dollars back into taxpayer pockets, because after all, we know how to spend our money better than the government does.

Georgia Budget Chatter: Restoring Promise Scholarship Funding

Last week the House chamber passed their fiscal year 2026 budget proposal and there are a lot of good measures tucked in that will undoubtedly help Georgians. For taxpayers, it is essential that elected officials steward the resources in a way that is both fiscally responsible and beneficial to people throughout the state. Many measures included in the budget proposal such as, efforts to improve public safety, strengthen rural healthcare and improve maternal health outcomes, as well as much needed infrastructure funding, are things that everyday citizens benefit from. Another category that a large portion of the budget goes to each year is education. Funding for literacy initiatives, school safety implementation, and Georgia's Pre-K program are pivotal as the state recognizes the importance of providing quality public education. However, many parents have become increasingly concerned about the state of public education as a whole and would like to explore other options that better fit the needs of their children, which is why we were proud to work last year to pass the Georgia Promise Scholarship and provide the option of school choice to many families throughout the state. In the proposed FY26 budget offered by the House, the Georgia Promise Scholarship funds are significantly lower than what was recommended by Governor Kemp. We would like to see the Senate budget proposal reinstate the full amount needed to fully fund the Georgia Promise Scholarship and we appreciate Lt. Governor Burt Jones for his public commitment to increase funding for this measure.

Legislative Quick Hitters

Marty Kemp’s 10th Human Trafficking Measure Passes Committee

We continue to be extremely grateful for the tireless efforts of Georgia’s First Lady, Marty Kemp, in fighting the evil of human trafficking and child exploitation. SB 42, carried by Senator Bo Hatchett on behalf of the First Lady and the Governor, removes ambiguity to ensure that those who exploit children are charged with sex trafficking. Last Wednesday, SB 42 unanimously passed the Judiciary Non-Civil Gullett Subcommittee.

Watch Subcommittee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 17:10 for SB 42) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

Progress for Parental Rights

Sponsored by Senator Jason Anavitarte, SB 110 clarifies and strengthens parental rights by ensuring that parents can make reasonable decisions about their child’s independent activities without unnecessary government interference and refines definitions in a manner giving greater deference to the care and decision-making of parents. This bill passed the House Judiciary Juvenile Committee last Wednesday.

Watch Full Committee at [[link removed]] (Skip to 12:48 for SB 110) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

Another Win for School Choice

SB 82, sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon, strengthens school choice by aiming to increase the number of approved local charter schools. The bill offers financial incentives, support programs, and accountability measures for local school boards that deny charter school petitions. It also establishes a rating system for public school choice availability, ensuring greater transparency in educational options for students. SB 82 passed the House Education Curriculum Subcommittee last Wednesday and passed the House Education Committee on Thursday.

Watch Subcommittee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] Watch Full Committee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 56:29) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

“Georgia’s Anti-Doxxing Act” Heard in House Subcommittee

“Doxxing,” also referred to as online stalking, occurs when an individual’s personal and identifying information is maliciously posted online with the intent to target, harass, or cyberbully them. SB 27, sponsored by Senator John Albers, makes both doxxing and aggravated doxxing criminal offenses in Georgia. The bill was heard in the Judiciary Non-Civil Gullett Subcommittee last Wednesday and will now proceed to the full House committee for a vote.

Watch Full Subcommittee at [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 20:29 for SB 27)

See bill language at: [[link removed]]

Advancing School Safety

SB 17, “Ricky & Alyssa’s Law,” honors the memories of Ricky Aspinwall, a teacher and coach tragically killed in the September 4th shooting at Apalachee High School in North Georgia, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old victim of the February 14, 2018, Parkland shooting. This bill takes steps to prevent such tragedies from happening again by requiring the installation of mobile panic alert systems in every school in Georgia, known as Alyssa’s Alert, and mandating the mapping of school properties. These detailed floor plans will assist first responders by enabling them to quickly locate the scene of an incident, significantly reducing response times. SB 17 passed the House Education Policy Subcommittee unanimously last Wednesday, March 12th, and passed the House Education committee, this Wednesday as well.

Watch Subcommittee at:​​ [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 1:33:00 for SB 17) Watch Full Committee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] See bill language at: [[link removed]] (Skip to 31:58)

Tightening up Illegal Immigration Enforcement

Last Wednesday, SB 21, sponsored by Senator Blake Tillery, was heard in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. As previously shared, this bill aims to ensure that our state and local agencies are held accountable and incentivized to enforce current immigration laws, ultimately strengthening the safety of our communities. SB 21 is expected to receive a vote at the next committee meeting.

Watch Full Committee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 1:08:54 for SB 21) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

Child Income Tax Credits

Sponsored by Senator Brian Strickland, SB 89 introduces a $250 child income tax credit for qualifying children under age seven. The bill also revises existing tax credits related to child and dependent care expenses by increasing the allowable credit to 40% of the federal tax credit and modifies employer-provided child care credits by reducing the number of children required to be children of employees to qualify. This bill was heard in the House Ways and Means Subcommittee last Wednesday.

Watch Committee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 1:15:10 for SB 89) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

Efforts to Continue Fighting for Our Students

Sponsored by Senator John F. Kennedy, SB 123 addresses Georgia’s school attendance laws by ensuring students cannot be expelled solely for missing school and establishing strategies to support students who are chronically absent. This bill passed the House Education Curriculum Subcommittee last Wednesday and passed the House Education Committee this Thursday.

Watch Subcommittee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] Watch Full Committee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 1:18:18) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

Preparing for the Death of the Department of Education

SB 154, sponsored by Senator Bo Hatchett, amends the Code of Georgia to prepare the state for the possibility of the Department of Education (DOE) being disbanded. The bill updates the code to include the phrase “or its successor” whenever the DOE is referenced, ensuring that Georgia remains adaptable to any future changes in the structure of the education system. This bill was passed, as amended, by the House Education Policy Subcommittee last Wednesday and passed the House Education committee this week on Wednesday, March 18th.

Watch Subcommittee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 1:48:54) Watch Full Committee at: [link removed] [[link removed]] (Skip to 21:25) See bill language at: [[link removed]]

ALL FRONTLINE ENDORSED BILLS (to date):

SB 1 - “Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act” sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal. (Passed Senate; Awaiting House Education Committee Approval)

SB 9 - “Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act” sponsored by Sen. John Albers (Passed Senate; Awaiting House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Approval)

SB 17 - “Ricky and Alyssa's Law” sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (Passed Senate; Passed House Education Committee)

SB 21 - Tightens up illegal immigration enforcement sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (Passed Senate; Awaiting House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Approval)

SB 22 - Improves government transparency and education accountability sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (Passed Senate Education & Youth Committee)

SB 27 - “Georgia Anti-Doxxing Act” sponsored by Sen. John Albers Tillery (Passed Senate; Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee)

SB 28 - “Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025” sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (Passed Senate)

SB 30 - Prohibits the use of hormone treatments in minors for purposes of gender transition, sponsored by Sen. Ben Watson (Passed Senate)

SB 36 - Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) sponsored by Sen. Ed Setzler (Passed Senate)

SB 39 - Prevents tax payer dollars from funding gender affirming surgeries, sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (Passed Senate)

SB 42 - Closes loophole on human trafficking convictions, sponsored by Sen. Bo Hatchett (Passed Senate; Passed House Judiciary Non-civil Subcommittee)

SB 57 - The “Freedom of Speech and Belief Act” sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (Failed in Senate)

SB 61 - Expanding superior court jurisdiction to include terroristic threats involving schools and attempts or conspiracies to commit murder and certain offenses by children aged 13 to 17 sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolzezal (Passed Senate)

SB 72 - “Hope for Georgia Patients Act" sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass (Passed Senate)

SB 74 - Eliminating protection for libraries when dealing with harmful materials sponsored by Sen. Max Burns (Passed Senate)

SB 79 - “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act" sponsored by Sen. Russ Goodman (Passed Senate; Awaiting House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Approval)

SB 89 - sponsored Sen. Clint Dixon (Passed Senate; Passed House Education Committee)

SB 89 - Childcare tax credit sponsored Sen. Brian Strickland (Passed Senate)

SB 91 - Addressing conflicts of interest in the management of pharmacy benefits sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (Passed Senate)

SB 93- Prohibit public schools from using the three-cueing system or visual memory as methods for teaching word reading sponsored by Sen. RaShaun Kemp (Passed Senate)

SB 102 - Dogfighting restrictions sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (Passed Senate)

SB 110 - Clarifying parent’s rights and neglect relating to certain independent activities of a child sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (Passed Senate; Passed the House Judiciary Juvenile Committee)

SB 120 - Eliminating state-funded DEI initiatives at public educational institutions sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (Senate Higher Education Committee Tabled)

SB 123 - Addresses compulsory attendance sponsored by Senator John F. Kennedy (Passed Senate; Passed House Education Committee)

SB 126 - Lowering the age of eligibility for enrollment in completion special schools sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon (Passed Senate)

SB 152 - “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act” eligibility expansion sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (Passed Senate)

SB 154 - Removes references to the United States Department of Education from the Official Code of Georgia sponsored by Sen. Bo Hatchett (Passed Senate; Passed House Education Policy Subcommittee; Passed House Education Committee)

SB 175 - Prohibit ranked choice voting sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (Passed the Senate)

SB 179 - Transferring student’s academic and disciplinary records to new school administration within 10 days sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon (Passed Senate)

SB 185 - Prohibit the use of state funds or resources for gender-reassignment treatments for state inmates sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (Passed Senate)

SB 213 - Prohibit commercial cheating services from providing certain work products to students and certain examinees sponsored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (Passed Senate)

SB 254 - Delta-9-THC limitations sponsored by Sen. Bill Cowsert (Passed Senate)

HB 111 - Reduction of Georgia state income tax sponsored by Rep. Soo Hong (Passed House)

HB 133 - “Student Character Development Act” sponsored by Rep. David Clark (Passed House Education Committee)

HB 150 - “Combating Threats from Foreign Countries of Concern Act of 2025" sponsored by Rep. Tim Fleming (Passed House)

HB 171 - Closing loophole on distributing AI obscene material depicting a child sponsored by Rep. Brad Thomas (Passed House)

HB 192 - Adding high-demand career programs to the State Board of Education’s curriculum sponsored by Rep. Matt Gambill (Passed House)

HB 205 - Government drone regulation and cybersecurity protection sponsored by Rep. David Clark (Passed House)

HB 217 - Establishing the Dual Achievement Program as a permanent state initiative sponsored by Rep. Soo Hong (Passed House)

HB 253 - “Ethan’s Law” sponsored by Rep. David Clark (Passed House)

HB 260 - Increasing the statewide homestead exemption from property taxes for state, county, and certain school purposes from $2,000 to $5,000 sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves (Passed House Ways & Means Committee)

HB 267 - The “Riley Gaines Act” sponsored by Rep. Josh Bonner (Passed House, Awaiting Senate Judiciary Committee Approval)

HB 307 - A children’s literacy bill sponsored by Rep. Bethany Ballard (Passed House)

HB 328 - Raises the total amount of tax credits available for people and businesses that donate to student scholarship organizations (SSOs) sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (Passed House)

HB 340 - “Distraction-Free Education Act” sponsored by Rep. Scott Hilton (Passed House)

HB 350 - Baby Box bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Cameron (Passed House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee)

HB 430 - Sexual offender registry consistency between states by Rep. Steven Sainz (Passed House)

HB 671 - STOP Act sponsored by Rep. Carmen Rice (Passed House Judiciary)

If you are interested in testifying or joining our Legislative Advocacy Team please reply to this email!

Also, for legislators and allies, please contact me to let me know if you request Frontline’s endorsement for a particular piece of legislation. While we monitor all bills that have been introduced, there may be legislation that we are open to supporting that are not currently on our list.

In Faith and Action,

Chelsea Thompson

General Counsel, Frontline Policy

[email protected]

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