Monday, March 31, 2025–5:30 p.m.

-State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome)-

We’re almost down to the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session, and what’s happening at the Capitol right now affects your family, your paycheck, and your way of life. That’s why I’m working hard to ensure our values and needs are front and center as we finish strong.

This past week was the last chance for legislation to make it out of committee and still have a shot at becoming law. Several key bills moved forward toward the Senate floor that I believe will make a real difference in the lives of working Georgians.

House Bill 56 is one of them. It provides tuition grants to the spouses of public safety officers, law enforcement, firefighters, and prison guards who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. These men and women put their lives on the line to protect us. The least we can do is make sure their families have the opportunity to keep moving forward. Whether it’s a young widow trying to go back to school or a spouse training for a new job, this bill helps them find stability after unimaginable loss.

One of the most significant school safety measures advancing through committee this week is House Bill 268.This bill would require every public school to implement a mobile panic alert system that connects local and state emergency responders in real time during a crisis and mandates that schools provide digital mapping data to help first responders quickly navigate campuses. It also directs GEMA to establish rules for this process and create a statewide alert system to track verified threats against schools. The bill ensures that students in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Human Services can enroll in a new school immediately, even if records haven’t arrived. It allows school systems to be reimbursed for hiring student advocacy specialists and supports evidence-based programs for suicide awareness, youth violence prevention, and anonymous threat reporting. Additionally, it updates Georgia’s juvenile code to bring serious school-related crimes, like terroristic threats or acts, under the jurisdiction of superior courts, strengthens penalties for firearm-related offenses committed by minors, and establishes consequences for disrupting schools, buses, or bus stops. HB 268 gives our schools the tools they need to respond to emergencies and prevent them in the first place, all while keeping our children’s safety the top priority. I hope to see this measure on the Senate floor soon.

On the Senate floor, we passed House Bill 340, known as the Distraction-Free Education Act. This bill tackles something many parents and teachers are already worried about: kids glued to their phones during school. HB 340 will require public schools to set rules that keep personal devices out of reach during the school day for students in grades K–8. That might mean phones stay in lockers, locked pouches, or are temporarily disabled using school-approved apps. The goal is simple: fewer distractions, fewer discipline issues and more time spent learning. Schools that have already tried this approach are seeing real improvements in student behavior and grades. This bill gives local schools the flexibility to set the policy that works best for their community.

Our work on the state budget continued as well. In the Senate Appropriations Committee, we reviewed House Bill 68, the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026. I’m proud to say we’re holding the line on debt and cutting wasteful spending, while still making smart investments where they matter most: education, public safety, economic growth, and mental health services. We’re keeping Georgia the No. 1 state to do business, but we’re also making sure families in rural Georgia aren’t left behind. The full Senate body passed the FY 26 budget on Friday, and once the House agrees to our changes, it will head to Governor Kemp’s desk for his consideration.

The Senate Finance Committee concluded its work this week, passing 31 bills on various important topics. Our committee heard critical income tax reduction bills, such as HB 111 and HB 112, which have already passed the Senate. These bills lower the state income tax rate to 5.19% and provide a one-time rebate of up to $500 per family, respectively. These pieces of legislation will help families cover the costs of groceries, gas, and other essentials.

We also heard legislation on bona fide conservation use property, various homestead tax exemptions, and disaster relief. I’m grateful for my colleagues on this committee. This legislative session, we not only passed a high number of bills out of committee, but we also passed quality legislation that will affect Georgians positively for generations to come. It is gratifying to Chair this committee and participate in that process.

On the Senate floor, I was proud to sponsor Senate Bill 162, which created the Georgia Composite Medical Board and implemented an automated licensing system for certain healthcare providers in Georgia. The bill also provides for the regulation of the administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy by the Board. Throughout the month, the bill has moved along in the legislative process and is now awaiting a vote on the House floor. I was also proud to carry House Bill 92, which would postpone the date local governing authorities are authorized to opt out of the base year homestead exemption. This bill would also permit local governing authorities to reverse their decision to opt-out within a specified deadline. I’m thankful that HB 92 passed in the Senate and in the House, and I am hopeful that it will receive the Governor’s signature.

My office is here to help with any questions or concerns as we approach the finish line. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re working for you.

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He represents the 52nd Senate District which includes portions of Bartow, Floyd, and Gordon counties. He can be reached at (404) 656-0034 or via email at [email protected]