Legislative Watch

Things are off to an interesting start in the Georgia State Legislature as several joint appropriations hearings were cancelled last week due to inclement weather around the state. However, some committees were able to meet in a virtual or hybrid format, including the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. During this meeting, committee members received positive reports from the University System of Georgia’s Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Commissioner Greg Dozier of the Technical College System of Georgia, and Lynn Riley, President of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. For those who are interested, this subcommittee hearing can be viewed here.

In lieu of what is typically an in-person speech made by the Governor at the beginning of budget week, Kemp issued a statement last Thursday outlining his budget goals for AFY25 and FY26. The statement emphasized the importance of supporting state-wide recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, addressing inflation and costs of goods, and strengthening the state’s education and workforce development programs.

On the matter of tort reform, Governor Kemp will be holding a press conference at 11:00AM on Thursday morning at the State Capitol, where he will be releasing his legislative proposals for tackling this issue. It is sure to be a packed room as he reveals this highly anticipated legislation. We will keep you updated as we will soon have a clearer understanding of what this means for our industry.

Yesterday morning the House of Representatives first read HB 139, legislation relating to the 340B drug discount program. We are monitoring this situation closely and working with our Policy & Advocacy Committee to gather information and formulate a plan of action.

Finally, a bipartisan group of state senators filed a Medicaid expansion bill, SB 50, on Tuesday. The bill also calls for creating a bipartisan commission to oversee the insurance program. However, it is clear that Governor Kemp remains committed to his Pathways to Coverage program. Our team will provide updates as this measure moves through the state legislature.

Welcome to the first edition of the 2025 Georgia Bio Legislative Watch, your weekly update on the legislative goings-on at the State Capitol. Each week, we will send you updates on important legislation, committee meetings, special events, and action alerts as needed to keep you informed on the issues directly impacting the life sciences here in Georgia. Our Policy Team will be on the ground to ensure that your voice and your interests are well-represented to continue the growth and success of our industry in the state. To view our policy priorities and 2025 legislative agenda, please visit our website.

Last week marked the convening of the 2025 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Notably, the House and Senate approved a calendar for the conduct of business with Crossover Day being scheduled for March 6 and an adjournment date of April 4. There is potential for the calendar to change, but to view it in its agreed upon form, please click here. 

We also heard from Governor Brian Kemp last week during his annual State of the State address. From his speech, it is clear that his number one priority remains tackling tort reform to limit excessive lawsuits and jury verdicts in our state. A comprehensive tort reform package is expected to drop soon, but a special session on this matter is not off the table. Additional priorities include improving school safety, aiding farmers and timber producers post Hurricane Helene, improving transportation, cutting income tax, and expanding his Pathways program. 

Moving on to the Governor's budget proposal, his proposal is comprised of the amended budget for the current fiscal year and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year that takes effect on July 1. This week, known as Budget Week, the House and Senate typically hold joint hearings of their Appropriations Committees to discuss the Governor's recommendations. Due to the weather and Georgia being in a state of emergency, hearings were cancelled yesterday and today. They are scheduled to resume tomorrow if weather permits. The full agenda of hearings and their upcoming live streams can be found on the General Assembly's website.

RELEVANT BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Health:

AFY 25

• $150 million in one-time funds for the state's medical schools

- $25 million to Mercer for replacement and expansion of School of Medicine

- $25 million to Morehouse for a new academic building

- $99.8 million to Augusta for Translational Research Building - Health Sciences Campus

• $270,000 to Department of Public Health for a study on effects of social media on children

FY 26

• $224 million for full enrollment in state's Medicaid programs

• $1.5 million to DCH for 75 new primary care residency slots

• $12.5 million to DBHDD to annualize provider rates for Adult Mental Health Services

Workforce:

AFY 25

• $48 million to OneGeorgia Authority for Rural Workforce Housing grants and loans

• $7.4 million to Early Care and Learning for salary parity of Pre-K teachers

FY 26

• $1.25 million to Department of Education for equipment to career and technical education labs 

• $33 million to TCSG for increased enrollment

• $15 million to TCSG for "high-cost programs" including nursing programs

• $10,000 in annualized funds for regional crisis recovery network to respond to public safety and natural disaster incidents impacting schools

• $1.6 million to College of Coastal Georgia for equipment at Nursing and Health Science Addition

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Georgia Senate:

• Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) as chairman of Education and Youth

• Senator Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) as chairman of Ethics

• Senator Max Burns (R-Sylvania) as chairman of Higher Education

• Senator Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick) as chairman of Reapportionment and Redistricting

• Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett) as chairman of State and Local Governmental Operations and the chairman of Appropriations subcommittee on Government Operations

Georgia House of Representatives

• Representative Steve Meeks (R-Screven) as chairman of Appropriations subcommittee on Economic Development

• Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta) as chairman of Appropriations subcommittee on Higher Education

• Representative John LaHood (R-Valdosta) as chairman of Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation

• Representative Steve Tarvin (R-Chickamauga) as chairman of Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight

• Representative Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) as chairman of Governmental Affairs

• Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) as chairman of Information and Audits

• Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys) as chairman of Interstate Cooperation

• Representative Clint Crowe (R-Jackson) as chairman of Public Safety and Homeland Security

• Representative Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons) as chairman of Rural Development

• Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) as chairman of the Special Committee on Resource Management

• Representative Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville) as chairman of Special Rules

 We are back for another week of action on the House and Senate floor as well as committee meetings in Georgia. Today was Legislative Day 13 out of 40 and hundreds of bills have already been dropped this session. Given the later than usual adjournment date of April 6, the pace is not expected to let up any time soon.

Before we dive into some of the industry specific bills that our policy team is tracking, it is important to note that House lawmakers today passed House Bill 67, AFY25, and immediately transmitted it to the Senate. The new budget adds $197 million more to hurricane relief, among other adjustments. Additionally, Governor Kemp held a press conference last week unveiling his much-anticipated tort reform legislation. Senate Bill 68 and Senate Bill 69 were both sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy and have been referred to the Committee on Judiciary. One of the Governor’s priorities within this legislation is to rework the standards of proof for medical damages to require proof of actual costs incurred by a plaintiff in a push to weed out “phantom costs” where juries consider inflated amounts.

Other bills we are monitoring include the Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act, or Share the Savings, introduced by Representative Demetrius Douglas. The legislation would require all PBMs to pass a minimum of 80% rebates received by pharmaceutical companies to the patient at the pharmacy counter. We are looking to see if Representative Mark Newton will also introduce Share the Savings legislation. Senate Bill 60, which has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor, would establish a firm duty of care between PBMs and patients, holding them accountable for their performance. We are also tracking Senate Bill 50, a bipartisan Medicaid expansion bill, the Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act that just recently dropped, and a host of other legislation.

As noted in last week’s issue, 340B legislation, HB 139, did find its way to Georgia. We are continuing to work closely with our Policy & Advocacy Committee, our board, and other stakeholders to navigate this situation in the best interest of our membership. More to come here soon, but please know we are taking this matter seriously.

Additional bills that may be of interest:

SB 72, Hope for Georgia Patients Act: “Relating to terminally ill patient's right to try investigational drugs, biological products, and devices, so as to expand access to individualized investigational treatments to patients who have severely debilitating or life-threatening illnesses…”

SB 91: “Relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, so as to prohibit the Board of Community Health from entering into, executing, or renewing a contract or contracts with any pharmacy benefits manager that owns or has an ownership interest in any retail pharmacy…”

SB 101: “Relating to control of hazardous conditions, preventable diseases, and metabolic disorders, so as to require testing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the newborn screening system…”

A Message on Federal Policy

With the new Administration, federal policy matters have started off in an unprecedented way. We recognize that the myriad of executive orders, agency actions, policy shifts, etc. have created understandable uncertainty and concern. The Georgia Life Sciences team is in regular contact with our national advocacy partners, BIO, AdvaMed, MDMA, PhRMA, and others in Washington, D.C.

Much remains unclear, and the full ramifications of the federal actions taking place are still unfolding. Georgia Life Sciences is committed to monitoring the ever-evolving situation and we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns so that we can try to find answers, direct you to resources, and effectively protect the interests of Georgia’s life sciences economy.

Georgia General Assembly Update

Another week of session has come and gone under the Gold Dome, and with time dwindling down before Crossover Day, a lot of legislation still needs to be heard in committees.

Today, we wrapped up Legislative Day 17, and lawmakers and staff are set to return to the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 18, following President’s Day on Monday. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

On Monday, the Senate Committee on Judiciary held a hearing on Governor Kemp’s tort reform legislation, SB 68 and SB 69. Many parties testified in favor of SB 68 which passed out of committee by a vote of 8 – 3. SB 69 also passed out of committee by a vote of 10 – 1. As noted in last week’s edition, House Lawmakers passed House Bill 67, AFY25, with some changes to the Governor’s template budget including $12.5 million in startup funds for graduate medical education at Piedmont Healthcare and $750,000 for TCSG for an advanced manufacturing fund. If you have any questions on tort reform or AFY25, please reach out to our team.

There was some movement this week on several bills we are monitoring, including SB 72, the Hope for Georgia Patients Act, which the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services favorably reported with substitute on Tuesday. This bill would expand treatment options for patients with severely debilitating or life-threatening illnesses. HB 139, legislation that relates to the 340B drug pricing program, has yet to be taken up in committee. After meeting with both our Policy & Advocacy Committee and Board of Directors, Georgia Life Sciences will soon outline our official position on this matter.

We remain hopeful for some action and eventual passage of the Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act, better known as Share the Savings. We are working closely with our patient advocacy partners and other stakeholders to do our best to get this bill to the finish line. Additionally, the Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act waits to be heard in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. We are hearing from industry partners that they are satisfied with the exemptions in the bill as it relates to our sector, but if you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Additional bills that may be of interest:

SB 91: “Relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, so as to prohibit the Board of Community Health from entering into, executing, or renewing a contract or contracts with any pharmacy benefits manager that owns or has an ownership interest in any retail pharmacy…”

SB 101: “Relating to control of hazardous conditions, preventable diseases, and metabolic disorders, so as to require testing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the newborn screening system…”

SB 60: “Relating regulation and licensure of pharmacy benefits managers, so as to provide that such managers have a duty of care to insureds, health plans, and providers…”

HB 101: “Relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, so as to provide for an annual public report on the amount of prescription drug rebates and other price concessions applied to premium reductions for state health plan participants…”

HR 69: “A resolution recognizing every third Thursday in April as Biomedical Research Day…”

A Message on Threat to NIH Funding

Georgia Life Sciences, representing nearly 4,000 establishments across the state, whom are engaged in the research, development, and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology-based medicines and foods, medical devices, biomedical technologies, life-saving technology distribution, and clinical trial management, expresses deep concern over the recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidance to limit funding for medical and life sciences research at universities. This decision will significantly impact Georgia’s innovation economy, workforce, patient community, and its ability to sustain its current leadership in cutting-edge research and development.

Georgia Life Sciences urges the Administration to reevaluate this guidance and recognize the vital role NIH funding plays in driving medical breakthroughs, supporting economic growth, and improving public health. We stand ready to work alongside policymakers to ensure Georgia remains at the forefront of life sciences innovation, providing researchers with the resources they need to continue pioneering advancements that benefit patients, families, and key industries across the state.

Georgia General Assembly Update

Today marked Legislative Day 22 under the Gold Dome, and we have several updates to provide, including a breakdown of this afternoon’s meeting of the House Health Committee.

Last week looked a little different for the General Assembly with the deferral of the legislative calendar to Tuesday and remaining in session through Friday with a lengthy discussion and vote on Governor Kemp’s tort reform legislation.

The House Health Committee met this afternoon on several pieces of legislation, most notably being HB 139, Georgia’s 340B legislation. Several industry representatives testified in opposition of this bill, including our President & CEO, Maria Thacker-Goethe. Maria was joined by Perry Knight with J&J, Sharon Lamberton with PhRMA, Robert Popovian with Global Healthy Living Foundation, Dorothy Leone-Glasser with Advocates for Responsible Care and RX In Reach, and others who shared their reservations on this bill. Their theme was simple – the 340B program is flawed and does not deliver savings to patients the way it was originally intended. This hearing will be made available online soon.

During that same committee meeting, both HB 323, the Bridging the Gap for ALS and Chronic Kidney Disease Act of 2025, and HB 428, which would codify the right to in vitro fertilization for individuals, both due passed.

One major highlight from last week comes after two and a half hours of debate. SB 68, one piece of Governor Kemp’s tort reform package, passed the Senate by a vote of 33 to 21. As for appropriations, HB 67, the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget, passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today and is scheduled to be on the floor on Wednesday. Following suit, the House is now expected to send the Fiscal Year 2026 budget soon. More to come on FY26.

Also taking place on Friday of last week, a press conference in support of CDC workers and public health funding, championed by Rep. Saira Draper. Our team was in attendance along with a full room of CDC proponents. 

The Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee called a meeting last week to discuss two pieces of legislation, one being SB 111, the “GA Consumer Privacy Protection Act.” This bill, sponsored by Senator Jon Albers, would create additional measures to protect consumer privacy, including by preventing profiling and the sale of consumer data to third parties. The bill passed unanimously. It is our understanding that our partners are satisfied with the industry exemptions within this bill, but if you have any issues or questions relating to SB 111, please contact us.

Share the Savings legislation, HB 100, was heard Wednesday in the House Insurance Health Subcommittee. We are hopeful Chairwoman Rep. Taylor will move the bill to a subcommittee vote. If it is passed, then onto the House Insurance Committee for a full vote. The bill would then proceed to House Rules and onto the House floor for a vote. As a reminder, this action must all take place by March 6, or Crossover Day, for HB 100 to stay alive this session.

Our team is tracking a host of legislation this session. Should you have any questions about a specific bill, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve as a resource for you and be a voice for our members.

Georgia General Assembly Update

State of Play

Today marked Legislative Day 26 under the Gold Dome. Crossover Day is rapidly approaching. Tomorrow and Thursday will be the last chances for any legislation that has yet to pass out of its chamber of origin to do so and stay alive for the remainder of session. Wednesday is scheduled to be a committee workday.

House Health Committee

The House Health Committee met this afternoon. HB 139, Georgia's 340B bill, was originally scheduled to be heard; however, bill sponsor Representative Todd Jones waived his time so the bill was not heard. We are hopeful that this move signifies that this legislation may not move forward with Crossover Day being so close. We will have another update for you on HB 139 soon.

Several other bills due passed out of this committee, including HB 382, relating to psilocybin and its controlled substance status, HB 662, which would slightly modify the definition of a rural hospital organization, HB 677, relating to placement procedures for children upon discharge from a hospital or psychiatric residential treatment facility, and HB 629, which would remove requirement of having a licensed physician in automated external defibrillator programs.

Appropriations

House Bill 67, the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, passed out of the House today by a vote of 170-3. The bill, which now includes the Senate’s Substitute, was then immediately transmitted back to the Senate. Several lawmakers thanked House Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett for his hard work on this legislation and his efforts to provide relief for Georgians who were impacted by Hurricane Helene and other circumstances.

Tort Reform

Last week, Senate Bill 69, part of the Governor’s Tort Reform Package, passed by the Senate. This portion of Kemp’s package relates to regulating third-party litigation financing. The House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform met on Wednesday to consider Senate Bill 68, the other piece of the Governor’s Tort Reform legislation. Most notably, Section Seven of this bill relates to the calculation of special damages including medical bills. The bill requires plaintiffs to provide evidence of the amounts actually paid for medical care for the calculation of special damages. So, a plaintiff would be able to cover their out-of-pocket amounts after insurance negotiates the cost of care. SB 68 still awaits a vote as the meeting was scheduled to be a hearing only.

Other Action

HR 69, a bill establishing every third Thursday in April as Biomedical Research Awareness Day, was adopted on the House floor today by a vote of 171-1.

Senate Bill 101, requiring Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy be included among newborn test screenings, passed by the Senate last week.

House Bill 373, requiring health insurance providers to cover prostate cancer screenings, passed by the House.

House Bill 163, requiring restaurants to disclose the use of cultured meat in food products, passed by the House.

Georgia Life Sciences in Washington, D.C.

Last week, Mel attended AdvaMed’s annual Fly-In in Washington, D,C., to meet with legislators and staff on some of the critical policy issues our innovative member companies face and ways to address them. Discussions were centered around reimbursement pathways, regulatory harmonization, and investment incentives that will help Georgia’s MedTech ecosystem continue to flourish.

Georgia Life Sciences Day at the Capitol 3/11

Next week, Georgia Life Sciences will host its Day at the Capitol. A dozen executives will engage with state legislators, participate in meaningful discussions on key policy issues, and foster collaboration across industries. It is an exceptional opportunity to learn more about the legislative process while sharing insights that influence business and economic development in our state. 

Georgia General Assembly Update

Georgia Life Sciences Day at the Capitol

Last week, Georgia Life Sciences hosted its annual Day at the Capitol. It was an excellent opportunity for industry leaders and patient partners to engage directly with key policymakers to highlight the impact of our sector on business, economic development, and—most importantly—patients across our state. 

Many thanks to those who were able to join us for their insights and advocacy to strengthen our collective voice and ensure that life sciences remain a priority in Georgia. Our policy team looks forward to continuing these important conversations and supporting policy measures that benefit our ecosystem. 

State of Play

Today is Legislative Day 32 of 40 under the Gold Dome. Now that Crossover Day has come and gone, the pace at the Capitol is picking up. Lawmakers are moving quickly to debate and vote on bills that survived the deadline, while the budget process moves full speed ahead. That said, a lot still needs to be done ahead of the rapidly approaching Sine Die date of April 4.

House Passes FY26 Budget

An important piece of the annual legislative process occurred last week – the House passed the 2026 state budget, HB 68. The budget now lies with the Senate with the bulk of appropriations meetings taking place this week. They will review the House’s changes and the governor’s FY26 budget and make their own adjustments. Some notable changes to come out of the House’s package include:

1. Fully Funding the state’s K-12 education formula and $98 million in additional funds for school safety, mental health, and student support initiatives.

2. $6.4 million in new funds for foster care and child placement support.

3. $32 million in additional funds for Medicaid reimbursement.

4. $8.3 million for additional graduate medical education slots and residency programs.

5. And, $23 million in additional funds for the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia’s.

Additionally, participants from our Life Sciences Day at the Capitol were able to meet with Representative Matt Dubnik last week. Rep. Dubnik serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and has been a champion for ensuring funding for our Biotech Teacher Training Initiative. We were able to provide an update on how GLS is doing its part to develop a strong and skilled workforce in Georgia.

Tort Reform

Tort reform continues to be a primary focus of the 2025 legislative session, but action on Senate Bill 68 (comprehensive tort reform) and Senate Bill 69 (regulation of third party litigation financing) has been limited since the governor’s legislative package entered the House.

The House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform held a meeting to consider Section 7 of the bill pertaining to recoverable damages for medical care and Section 8 of the bill which allows for bifurcation of trial proceedings. The meeting began with testimony opposing the bill, primarily from attorneys and physicians who disputed claims that it would not affect access to healthcare and insurance. However, supporters of the bill, including healthcare officials, attorneys, and business leaders, were also given the chance to respond, highlighting the challenges their industries face in retaining workers, obtaining insurance, and combating frivolous lawsuits under Georgia’s existing legal framework. SB 68 remains subject to further hearings.

Committee Meeting Notices

The House Health Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow morning at 9:00am. Several pieces of legislation are on the agenda, including SB 72, the “Hope for Georgia Patients Act,” and Senate Bill 91, which prohibits PBMs that own retail pharmacies from entering contracts with the State Health Benefit Plan.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow at 4:00pm. HB 428, which would codify right to in vitro fertilization for individuals, and HB 291, the Community Health Worker certification bill, are both on the docket among other bills.

We will continue to keep you updated as things continue to move under the Gold Dome.

Georgia General Assembly Update

State of Play

The 2025 legislative session is nearing its conclusion, with just two weeks remaining until Sine Die on April 4. As the session winds down, lawmakers are moving swiftly to finalize key bills and the state budget. You can find the legislative schedule here. The House and Senate will reconvene on Tuesday for the 35th day of the 40-day session, followed by a dedicated committee workday on Wednesday and Day 36 on Thursday.

Tort Reform Clears Legislative Hurdle

There was a flurry of activity around tort reform in the state legislature last week. On Thursday the House of Representatives passed SB 68 by a vote of 91-82, barely achieving the minimum number of votes for a constitutional majority. The bill was then immediately sent to the Senate for consideration where it passed by a vote of 34-21 on Friday. The last step for this legislation before it becomes law is a signature from Governor Brian Kemp, which we expect to come later this week.

House Health Committee Meeting Summary

Last week, Chairman Lee Hawkins called a meeting of the House Health Committee on Wednesday to discuss several pieces of legislation, including SB 72, the Hope for Georgia Patients Act, SB 91, and SB 195.

Both SB 72, which aims to expand treatment options for patients with severely debilitating or life-threatening illnesses, and SB 195, which would authorize pharmacists to dispense preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis for HIV, passed out of committee.

There was some lengthy discussion around SB 91, which would require that businesses seeking to be in a health benefit contract with the state can’t be both the pharmacy benefit manager and the retail pharmacy. Bill sponsor Senator Tillery explained that vertical monopolies have emerged in the pharmacy industry because PBMs set preferential pricing for their own retail pharmacies, and this bill aims to prevent that practice. The Department of Community Health (DCH) noted that the legislation could impose significant costs on the state, as the top three PBMs offer substantially lower prices than others. In the last RFP process, the cost difference between the first and second bidder was $100 million. While committee members acknowledged this concern, they argued that these lower costs come at the expense of consumers, who ultimately pay higher drug prices. This was a hearing only and the bill was not called to a vote.

State Senator Brandon Beach Nominated to Join Trump Administration

President Donald Trump has nominated another Georgian to join his administration, selecting state Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, for U.S. Treasurer. The role is a senior leadership position within the U.S. Treasury Department, led by Secretary Scott Bessent. The Treasurer oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint.

Georgia Life Sciences to Attend BIO’s Federal Fly-In

Next week, GLS will be in Washington, D.C., for BIO’s Federal Fly-In where the team will engage with members of Congress and advocate for our industry. If you have suggestions for meetings with specific companies or groups that would be beneficial to our state and the broader ecosystem, please reach out to Mel at mcarter@galifesciences.org or Maria at mthacker@galifesciences.org.

Georgia General Assembly Update

State of Play

We are nearly there – today is Legislative Day 38 of 40, before Georgia’s State Legislature formally adjourns on Sine Die, April 4. Tuesday and Thursday have been designated as committee workdays, meaning Wednesday and Friday will serve as Legislative Days 39 and 40. It is officially crunch time under the Gold Dome as state lawmakers work to pass or fail pending bills before Friday’s looming deadline.

Appropriations

Senator Blake Tillery presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the Senate last Friday, following a review by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier in the week. House Bill 68, introduced by Speaker of the House, Jon Burns, allocates $37.7 billion in state revenues for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

In the latest budget version, the Senate implemented numerous reductions by postponing funding for staff and program start dates until January 1, 2026. These adjustments allowed for several key funding increases, including:

• $5 million for pharmacy reimbursement and dispensing under the State Health Benefit Plan.

• $3 million to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce to expand medical residency slots.

• $100,000 for technology enhancements related to medical credentialing.

• $75 million to strengthen the funded ratio of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia.

• $25 million to address rising costs in Out-of-Home Care under the Department of Human Services.

• $2.5 million for the Department of Natural Resources to improve outdoor recreation sites.

• $1 million for community protection programs managed by the Department of Public Safety.

• $17.3 million for timber severance tax reimbursements through the Department of Revenue.

During the bill’s presentation, Senator Tillery outlined these and other adjustments across the state budget. Following debate, the Senate passed HB 68 with a 48-7 vote. The bill now returns to the House for consideration of the Senate’s revisions before both chambers finalize the budget and send it to Governor Brian Kemp.

House Health Committee Summary

Chairman Lee Hawkins convened a meeting of the House Health Committee last week to review House Resolution 512 by Representative Leesa Hagen, House Resolution 592 by Representative Mark Newton, and Senate Bill 39 by Senator Blake Tillery.

SB 39 would restrict the state health benefit plan from covering gender reassignment surgeries unless the individual has a medical condition other than gender dysphoria. The bill was presented as a substitute version with Section 1 removed.

During discussions, Representative Jasmine Clark raised concerns about ensuring full coverage for all types of androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Representative Marvin Lim addressed potential legal costs and the bill’s impact on contract impairment. Senator Tillery clarified that the legislation would apply only to contracts established after January 1, 2025. Representative Rick Jasperse noted that the health benefit plan frequently adjusts its coverage—sometimes adding, sometimes removing conditions—and that this bill follows that precedent.

Following public testimony from both supporters and opponents, the committee passed SB 39 with a 9-8 vote, with the Chairman casting the tie-breaking vote.

Georgia Life Sciences in Washington, D.C.

This week, GLS will be in Washington, D.C., for BIO’s annual Fly-In. State association executives will be meeting with federal policymakers about several priority topics, including Georgia's bioscience footprint and the value of innovation, R&D amortization legislation, SBIR program reauthorization as well as the Farm Bill reauthorization. If you have any topics of discussion that you would like GLS to address with lawmakers, please let our team know. We are dedicated to being a voice for life sciences both on a state and federal level. 

Georgia General Assembly Update

The 2025 Georgia Legislative Session Has Officially Wrapped

It’s official – we Sine Died! After 40 whirlwind days under the Gold Dome, the Georgia General Assembly has gaveled out for the year. From major budget decisions to pivotal policy shifts, the session saw significant developments impacting life sciences, healthcare access, education, and the business climate across our state. Now that Sine Die has come and gone, we’re breaking down what passed, what stalled, and what it all means for our industry moving forward.

State of Play

The 40-day legislative session came to a close late Friday night as legislators worked around the clock to cast their votes. Now that session is over, Governor Kemp has 40 calendar days in which to sign or veto bills lawmakers have passed during the last three months. The Georgia House and Senate introduced almost 1,300 bills and over 1,500 resolutions and held hundreds of hours of hearings. Let’s take a look back at what did and did not make it to his desk.

What Passed✅

House Bill 68 – State Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026

House Bill 68 received final approval from both the House and Senate early Friday afternoon. During the final stages of budget negotiations, Governor Kemp presented a revised revenue estimate to the General Assembly, which increased state appropriations by just over $50 million. The conference committee used the additional funds to restore reductions previously made in the Senate’s version and to support new initiatives, including $2 million for the Statewide Housing Trust Fund, $11 million for EMS transport services, and $7.6 million for newborn delivery services in rural areas.

As a reminder, the Governor may approve the whole budget or strike parts of it through his line-item veto authority.

Senate Bills 68 and 69 – Tort Reform

Senate Bill 68 introduces several thoughtful reforms to Georgia’s civil practice laws aimed at restoring balance within the civil justice system. The bill addresses a range of key issues, including anchoring, motions to dismiss, double recovery of attorney fees, seatbelt admissibility, premises liability, phantom damages, and trial bifurcation. SB 68 passed the Senate on Friday, February 21, cleared the House on Thursday, March 20, and received final passage on Friday, March 21.

Senate Bill 69 focuses on increasing transparency in third-party litigation funding, aiming to prevent hostile foreign powers from exploiting consumers and the legal system. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday, February 27, the House on Thursday, March 27, and received final passage on Monday, March 31. Both bills now await the Governor’s signature.

Senate Bill 72 – “Hope for Georgia Patients Act”

The bill aims to expand access to individualized investigational treatments for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses. This option would fall after the patient, in consultation with a physician, has considered all other treatment options currently approved by FDA.

House Bill 192 – Top State for Talent Act

HB 192 updates the focused programs of study for grades 6-12 to align with the High-Demand Career List published by the State Workforce Development Board and develops individual college and career plans for students in grades 6-12. HB 192 received final passage on March 28 and awaits the Governor’s signature.

Senate Bill 101

SB 101 is legislation introduced to amend Chapter 12 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which pertains to the control of hazardous conditions, preventable diseases, and metabolic disorders. The bill aims to mandate the inclusion of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) testing within the state's newborn screening system.

House Resolution 69

HR 69 is a resolution recognizing every third Thursday in April as Biomedical Research Day in the state of Georgia.

House Bill 428

HB 428 would codify the right to in vitro fertilization for individuals. Essentially, this bill ensures that nothing in Georgia law could prohibit or prevent an individual from obtaining in vitro fertilization in this state.

What Failed❌

House Bill 100 – “Share the Savings”

HB 100 would mandate that health insurers pass along at least 80% of all prescription drug rebates they receive from third parties to their enrollees. These rebates are price concessions that drug manufacturers provide to insurers in exchange for covering certain medications. Currently, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) do not always pass these savings to consumers.

Unfortunately, HB 100 did not clear the necessary legislative hurdles this session to be considered for signage by Governor Kemp.

SB 50 – Medicaid Expansion 

Governor Kemp remains committed to his Pathways program and Medicaid expansion has, once again, escaped Georgia.

House Bill 139 – Georgia’s PBM Legislation

HB 139 would have allowed 340B contract pharmacies to expand their footprint in Georgia. 340B contract pharmacies are intended to provide discounts to low-income individuals, but many of these pharmacies are located in more affluent areas of the state and do not provide discounts to patients.

Senate Bill 60

SB 60 would have established a firm duty of care between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and patients, holding them accountable for their performance.

Senate Bill 111 – Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act

This data privacy bill cleared a number of legislative hurdles this session, but did not ultimately find its way to the Governor’s desk. We expect to see similar legislation next year and hope to, once again, have all of our industry exemptions in place.

Senate Bill 91 

SB 91 relates to the state employees' health insurance plan, to prohibit the Board of Community Health from entering into, executing, or renewing a contract or contracts with any PBM that owns or has an ownership interest in any retail pharmacy.

Other News

Georgia’s New Labor Commissioner

Also occurring on Sine Die, Governor Brian Kemp officially swore in Bárbara Rivera Holmes as Georgia’s new Commissioner of Labor. With a strong background in economic development and a deep understanding of workforce opportunities—particularly in rural areas—gained through her leadership at the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Bárbara is well-positioned for the role. Her appointment also marks a historic milestone, as she becomes Georgia’s first Latina Constitutional Officer. 

Federal Update: Championing Georgia's Voice in Washington

While the Georgia General Assembly wrapped up its work under the Gold Dome, Georgia Life Sciences continues to advocate on the federal front to advance policies that support innovation, economic growth, and patient access.

BIO Fly-In: Telling Georgia’s Story on Capitol Hill

Last week, President & CEO Maria Thacker Goethe participated in BIO’s annual Fly-In in Washington, D.C., meeting with federal lawmakers and staff to elevate Georgia’s bioscience footprint and the real-world impact of innovation happening across our state. 

Tariffs and the Life Sciences Supply Chain

In response to recent federal tariff actions, Georgia Life Sciences issued a public statement urging the administration to consider the serious implications on the life sciences supply chain, innovation, and patient access. 

Key Federal Policy Priorities

We continue to monitor and advocate for federal legislation and regulatory matters that impact our sector, including:

• Sustained and increased NIH funding

• R&D amortization correction legislation

• SBIR program reauthorization to support early-stage innovation

• Reauthorization of the Farm Bill, with strong support for biotechnology, biobased products, and streamlined regulation

• Passage of the EPIC Act to expand and protect critical investment in innovative startups

From Capitol Hill to Georgia’s own congressional delegation, we remain committed to ensuring the state’s life sciences sector is heard loud and clear in federal policy conversations