A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 12, 25, and 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, fire protection and safety, and insurance, respectively, so as to provide greater health protections for firefighters; to create the Firefighter Health Advisory Council and establish its powers; to provide for the establishment and purpose of the Firefighter PFAS Initiative; to provide for reporting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings and intent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
SB 191 amends Georgia's unemployment benefits law to clarify notice requirements for claimants and the Department of Labor. It defines "issue date" as the date a benefit determination is mailed, delivered, or sent electronically with consent, requiring this date to be printed on all notices. The bill standardizes appeal deadlines to 15 days from the issue date for initial determinations, hearings, and board decisions, while allowing the Commissioner to adjust time limits through administrative rules (with due process). These changes apply to all unemployment benefit claims and appeals under Georgia law, effective January 1, 2026.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding public officers and employees, so as to revise provisions regarding whistleblowers; to broaden the scope of persons who may report information to public employers; to expand the definition of the term "retaliation"; to extend the statute of limitations regarding public employer retaliation; to provide for a misdemeanor offense for violations; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, so as to allow all sworn law enforcement officers serving in and the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to be eligible for regular retirement benefits at the age of 55 years, certain disability benefits, and certain provisions for purchasing creditable service; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 18 of Title 45, Chapter 4 of Title 49, and Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the employees' insurance and benefits plans, public assistance, and general provisions relative to state government, respectively, so as to prohibit coverage of expenses for gender-affirming care under the state health benefit plan or with any state funds; to provide for definitions; to provide for limited exceptions; to prohibit state healthcare facilities and healthcare providers employed by the state from providing gender-affirming care; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 10 of Chapter 2 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan, so as to increase the benefits payable for service after July 1, 2026; to provide for an increase to employee contributions; to provide for related matters; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to provide for access to employee toilet facilities in retail establishments; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for immunity from liability related to use of such toilet facilities; to provide for a criminal penalty; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to libel and slander, so as to prohibit individuals from bringing defamation actions against another individual who makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sex discrimination when that individual believed such incident to have occurred; to provide for attorney's fees and costs for a prevailing defendant; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide for an income tax credit equal to 20 percent of the federal earned income tax credit; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide for an income tax credit equal to 20 percent of the federal earned income tax credit; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
