Various committees of the Georgia General Assembly passed a number of different bills. The most notable ones addressed issues related to transgenderism. The House focused on that issue while the Senate addressed other problems.
First, the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee passed a new resolution. House Resolution (HR) 368 creates a joint study committee on intoxicating cannabinoids in consumable hemp products.
Second, the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee passed two different bills. They began with House Bill (HB) 449.
This bill would subject certain companies providing water services to regulation by the Public Service Commission. It focuses on regulating the activity of private entities. It passed to the Rules Committee.
Next, HB 571 dealt with the medical industry and proposes the licensing of radiologist assistants. Currently in Georgia, radiologist assistants can work but are not officially licensed. This also passed to the Rules Committee.
Third, the House Public and Community Health Committee met to discuss two bills. The first, Senate Bill (SB) 30, received most of the attention.
It prohibits prescribing or administering hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications to minors. SB 30 was very controversial and passed to the Rules Committee by only two votes.
HR 611 came after but passed without any discussion due to time restraints. The resolution creates a House Study Committee on abandoned child placement following hospital discharge.
Finally, the House Health Committee began with HR 512. This resolution creates a House Study Committee on the addiction epidemic and solutions for recovery.
The study committee focuses on recovery solutions for current and future addiction problems. HR 512 passed unanimously.
The committee concluded with SB 39. This bill prohibits coverage for gender-affirming care under the state health benefit plan or with any state funds.
The bill’s sponsor framed it as a way to prevent Georgia taxpayer funds from being allocated towards this kind of care. SB 39 was extremely controversial to the point where the committee voted to a tie. The committee chair then broke the tie by voting to pass the bill.
