The clock is ticking in Atlanta as Georgia lawmakers push through a packed legislative calendar. With only two weeks left before the April 4 deadline, key bills on healthcare, tax reforms, and wrongful imprisonment compensation hang in the balance.
Tax Bills on the Table
Senator Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, is wasting no time. As chair of the Senate Finance Committee, he’s scheduled a Monday meeting to evaluate several tax-related bills. The details are still under wraps, but the committee’s decisions could significantly shape Georgia’s fiscal landscape.
The full House and Senate won’t reconvene until Tuesday, marking the 35th day of the 40-day legislative session. Wednesday is locked in for committee work, followed by Day 36 on Thursday — leaving lawmakers just five official days to finalize their priorities.
Modernizing Medical Licensing — With a Twist
Hufstetler’s Senate Bill 162, designed to streamline Georgia’s medical licensing process, is awaiting a crucial House vote. The bill proposes an automated, centralized credentialing system to help hospitals quickly fill healthcare roles — a move aimed at cutting red tape and easing staffing shortages.
The Senate unanimously backed the bill. However, a House committee introduced an unexpected amendment: a provision to establish psychedelic-assisted therapy programs. If passed, the revised bill will circle back to the Senate for another vote.
The psychedelic therapy addition reflects growing national interest in alternative mental health treatments. Still, it’s a controversial pivot that could complicate the bill’s original intent. Whether lawmakers embrace or reject this shift remains to be seen.
Teledentistry Bill Aims to Close Rural Gaps
Representative Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, is pushing forward with her teledentistry legislation, House Bill 567. The bill would establish statewide guidelines for remote dental services — a strategy to expand access, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Dempsey’s measure has cleared the House and now awaits a Senate vote. If approved, it could reshape dental care in Georgia, making routine checkups and consultations more accessible, especially for families living hours away from the nearest clinic.
Compensation for the Wrongfully Convicted
Dempsey is also advocating for House Resolution 128, a bill consolidating compensation measures for five wrongfully imprisoned Georgians. Among them are Floyd County’s Joey Watkins and Lee Clark, both recently exonerated after years behind bars.
The resolution is navigating a Senate committee and needs approval to reach the floor for a final vote. Georgia historically has no standard method for compensating the wrongfully convicted — each case requires individual legislation. If HR 128 passes, it could pave the way for a more streamlined, compassionate process.
Mental Health Oversight and Child Custody Measures
Two other Dempsey bills are moving through Senate committees:
- House Bill 612: This bill proposes adding the state insurance commissioner to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, granting the council authority to investigate mental health coverage complaints.
- House Bill 667: Focused on vulnerable children, this measure creates a legal process for situations where a parent or guardian refuses to take custody of a child cleared for discharge from psychiatric care.
Both bills highlight the growing legislative focus on mental health services and child welfare in Georgia. With mental health care still facing access challenges, particularly in rural areas, these proposals could signal a shift toward stronger oversight and support systems.
